Jude, page 8
I didn’t want to talk to Lenny before I was certain of what we were. This might never go further. Even though the thought hurt, I didn’t know how serious Jude was.
There was always a possibility he only wanted to get laid.
“I’m also getting chocolate pancakes. With cream and chocolate sauce.”
Jude chuckled at Lenny’s announcement as we pulled into the parking lot. “I think I’ll get the pancakes with warm maple butter and a side of bacon.”
“I feel like French toast today.” It came with caramelized bananas and roasted pecans. Delicious.
We piled into the restaurant, the waitress seating us as soon as we stumbled through the door as if we were half starved.
I ended up sitting next to Jude, who didn’t waste time pressing close and holding my hand that was resting on my thigh. I couldn’t help a flush from spreading over my face, my hand tightening in his.
We all placed our orders, then settled in for the short wait.
The waitress set coffees for Jude and me on the table when my phone rang. An unfamiliar number showed on the display, but since it could be Gladius, I knew I had to answer. Jude made no move to get up, not even when I pushed against his side.
“Just take the call here. We don’t mind, do we, Lenny?”
My brother shook his head, too busy folding his napkin into a swan to care.
I accepted the call, hoping it wasn’t Gladius.
“This is Kelvin Maynard. I’m calling for Ariel Caster.”
“Hi, Mr. Maynard. Thanks so much for returning my call.” He was a lawyer I found online who I thought might be able to represent me in Lenny’s custody case.
“Of course. How can I help you?”
“I need representation for a custody case.”
“You’ve come to the right place. Now, I have to tell you that we require a $5,000 bond before we even look at a case.”
I swallowed, all thoughts of taking this call outside gone, my body sinking into the seat. “$5,000?”
“And an advance for the first five hours of work. We charge $300 per hour, so that will be $1,500.”
“So you’re telling me I’ll have to pay you $6,500 before you’ll even look at my case?”
“That’s correct.”
“I’ll have to figure out if I can do that. Thanks so much for your time. I’ll be in touch.”
I put the phone down, staring at the cutlery in front of me. I wasn’t sure if I could come up with that much money.
Which meant I was screwed, because I stood no chance against Mom and her team of lawyers if I couldn’t get legal representation.
A hand on my shoulder pulled me back from thoughts of other options. “Hey, what was all that about?” Jude asked softly.
“That was the lawyer I wanted to hire to represent me in court.”
A glance at Lenny confirmed he was listening. But I’d promised him I wouldn’t keep this from him anymore, so he might as well hear what was going on.
Jude put his arm around me, holding me to his side. I was too upset to care that Lenny could see. “And?”
“He wants money before he’ll even look at the case. Money I don’t have.” Lenny’s face fell, and I shot him what I hoped was a reassuring smile. “But we’ll figure it out. Promise.”
Only I wasn’t so sure if we would.
The rest of breakfast was a lot more somber. Lenny and I had lost our appetites, leaving Jude to finish our meals.
My day didn’t improve when we pulled up to the apartments and an unfamiliar car was parked in the visitor spot, a woman with a clipboard waiting next to it.
She came up to us as soon as we exited the car, holding out her hand. “Ms. Caster?”
I hesitated only a moment before placing my hand in hers for a polite shake. “Yes?”
“I’m Ximena Cortez. I’m a social worker.”
Frowning, I nodded. “Okay. Why are you here, if you don’t mind me asking?”
“There’s been a report of an inappropriate living situation of a minor.”
Fucking Mom.
Lenny leaned into me, his small body shaking, his eyes on the social worker.
I put my arm around him, silently reassuring him. “I’m not sure who would report something like that, because there’s nothing inappropriate about my brother living with me. I’m his guardian.”
She waved her clipboard at the apartment building. “Do you mind if I take a look?”
When she saw my hesitation, she continued. “We take reports like this seriously. And I have to inform you that if you refuse me entry now, things will only get worse.”
Jude took my hand in his, stilling the shaking I hadn’t noticed. “Does Ariel need a lawyer?”
“Not at this stage. This is only an initial visit.”
Resigned, I released Lenny but didn’t drop Jude’s hand. Partly because he was holding on tight enough that it would be impossible to let go unless he wanted to. And partly because the touch centered me.
Pasting a smile on my face, I nodded. “I’m upstairs.”
Lenny bounded up the stairs, and I followed with Jude, the social worker right behind us.
Unlocking the door, I motioned for her to enter. Lenny snuck through first, then waited for us in the living room. “Do you want to see my room?”
He loved showing off his room, even now that he was older. I was proud of what we’d been able to achieve on my limited budget.
Ms. Cortez smiled and nodded. “That would be lovely.”
Lenny skipped to his room, throwing the door open. I cringed when it smacked against the wall, no doubt adding to the existing hole.
“Your mom behind this?”
Jude’s question was one I was sure I had the answer to. “There’s nobody else who’d do this. She’s serious about getting Lenny back. And she doesn’t care what she has to do to get him.”
I’d struggled every month making ends meet, and it seemed it was all for nothing. Not if she wanted Lenny back.
My brother’s chatter echoed from his bedroom. But I had nothing to hide. Well, except the guns under the floorboards throughout the apartment, the grenades in the back of my closet, and the dismantled rifle I’d concealed in the wall. I’d also stashed emergency cash and fake IDs in a safe under my bed.
The apartment was messy, but there was no dirt. At least I’d done the dishes this morning.
Ms. Cortez came back out of Lenny’s room, scribbling on her clipboard.
She looked up, then gestured to the couch. “Why don’t we sit down and have a chat?”
Grinding my teeth, I plastered a smile on my face. “Sure.”
Glancing at Lenny’s room, I wondered if I should let him play a game to keep him distracted.
Noticing where my attention had gone, the social worker smiled for the first time since showing up. “He’s reading his comic books.”
Nodding, I decided to dive straight in. “Excuse my directness, but I’m really not sure why you’re here.”
She pushed her glasses up her nose. “We have to take anonymous phone calls seriously. Especially if they’re specific.” She looked at Jude. “Are you living together?”
Jude was sitting next to me, Ms. Cortez in an armchair opposite us. He straightened at the question. “I live next door. We’re neighbors.”
“I see. Do you ever watch Lennon?”
Jude glanced at me, blinking at the question. “I don’t see how that’s relevant.”
“I have to establish the living situation so I can accurately judge its appropriateness.”
I leaned forward. “You’ve seen his room. You’ve seen the apartment. You no doubt spoke to Lenny when you were in his room with him. I’m his guardian. Something you would be aware of. Why don’t you tell me what I’ve allegedly done so I can clear this up?”
“The complaint stated that you have frequent male visitors, and that Lennon doesn’t have his own room.”
“You now know he has his own room. And I never have anyone at my apartment.” Her eyes fell on Jude, and I lifted my chin. “Except for Jude.”
“I’d know if there was anyone coming to the apartment,” he stated. “I live right next door. And I’m over here all the time. And I can say that I’ve never noticed anyone other than Ariel and Lenny.”
“I see.” She went back to her clipboard and wrote a few notes. Once she was satisfied with what she’d written, she glanced up again. “We’ll have to do a follow-up visit.”
Biting my finger so hard it was a miracle I didn’t draw blood, I ground out, “Of course.”
She finally left after leaving me her card.
I took a deep breath, then another. When the tears still threatened to fall, I went to the bathroom, locking the door.
Splashing water on my face didn’t help. Neither did pinching myself. Or biting my finger hard enough to leave a mark.
A knock on the door startled me enough that I bumped into the vanity. Rubbing the spot on my hip I’d hit, I opened the door to Jude, who was holding the doorframe with one hand, his eyebrows drawn together.
He studied me, then stepped forward without a word, drawing me into a tight hug. “We’ll figure it out.”
He rubbed light circles on my back, the contact soothing. I buried my head in his chest, my arms winding tight around him.
He offered comfort when I needed it most. And I was beginning to think that maybe he was the real deal. That maybe even people like me could get lucky every once in a while.
Chapter 12
Jude
“I’ll never complain about PTA meetings again. Because this is worse. So much worse.”
Ariel stared wide-eyed at the long line in front of the ticket booth. I’d dragged her out of her apartment this morning at five, her eyes still half closed, her jacket buttoned up wrong. Not even the two large coffees I’d bought her had helped put her in a better mood.
She ripped off tickets and accepted the money, not bothering to count it. “Next.”
Her voice was void of emotion, her face pinched tight, as if her coffee had been cold. Which was impossible since I’d put them in insulated travel mugs.
I’d finally figured out this living-on-my-own thing. I even remembered to take out the trash yesterday.
Well, most of the time, anyway.
“We only have five hours to go.”
Her attention snapped to me, and a heavy sigh escaped her. “Only five hours. Well, that makes me feel so much fucking better.”
The lady at the front of the line gasped, then covered her daughter’s ears. “There are children present.”
Ariel blinked at the woman, handing her the tickets she’d requested. As soon as she’d paid and made room for the next person in line, Ariel snorted. “Not sure most of those would classify as children.”
“How about a cookie? Will that make you feel better?”
Not pausing what she was doing, she answered, “You can take your cookie and stuff it up your—”
I jumped up, startling the guy about to purchase his tickets. “Okay, I think it’s time for a break.”
I waved over one of the other volunteers, who approached with a wide smile. It seemed everyone but Ariel was willingly volunteering. “Gloria, we’re taking a short breather.”
She took the seat I’d vacated. “Of course. Take your time. I’ve got this.”
I led Ariel through the fair, which was being hosted in the school’s oversized parking lot, and behind the restrooms.
As soon as we were hidden from sight, I pushed her up against the wall and pressed my lips to hers. I’d been wanting to do this ever since she’d come out of her apartment, looking adorably rumpled.
Her body lost all the tension, and she sank into me with a needy groan. We made out like two horny teenagers, my hands wandering, hers slipping under my shirt.
Her touch intensified the need thrumming through me. I couldn’t get enough of feeling her against me, of her squirming under my touch.
Unable to stop myself, I unzipped her jeans, slipping my hand inside.
“Jude.”
My name escaped her in a whispered plea, and I nearly came in my pants at the sound of it. She held power over me. A realization that would have scared me if I’d been clearheaded. But my brain was focused on her and how to wring more sounds like that from her. How to make her feel good. How to get closer to her.
My fingers stroked her, finding her little bud and applying light pressure. She arched into my hand, her breath coming out in choppy moans. I entered her with one finger, then two, relishing the way she dug her nails into my back as if afraid I’d stop.
Her mouth met mine in another kiss, this one much less refined, her body vibrating with need.
She quivered, her legs tightening on my hand before she came, biting my shoulder.
I didn’t let up until she sagged against me, placing small kisses on my neck. Her forehead came to rest against my chest. “Fuck, Jude.”
I pulled my hand out, then tilted her chin up before putting my fingers that had been inside her in my mouth. The heat flaring in her eyes made me impossibly harder. “Delicious.”
Rearranging my pants, I winked at her, basking in the glow on her face and the dopey smile she wore while zipping up her jeans. “We should get back before someone comes looking for us.”
I took her hand, towing her along behind me. We stopped at the edge of the building, and I turned back to her, stealing another kiss.
She brushed her hand over my jaw, and I leaned into her touch. “Do we have to go back?”
I placed one last kiss on her lips. “Yes we do. But we can take a few more breaks. After all, we have five hours left.” I glanced at my watch. “Well, a little less than five now.”
She groaned. “Don’t remind me.”
“Jude,” a perky voice said. “I was looking for you.”
Chantal came charging for us, her outfit inappropriate for the setting, as usual.
I pulled Ariel into me, then released her hand to put my arm around her. “We were just taking a break.” Placing a kiss on her head, I reluctantly turned back to Chantal. “What can I help you with?”
Staring at my hand cupping Ariel’s shoulder, she blinked a few times, then answered, “I was hoping you could look at the dunk tank. There’s something wrong with the mechanism.”
I squeezed Ariel, then released her. “Sure.” Turning to Ariel, I took her jaw between my finger and thumb in a gentle caress, tilting her head back. “I’ll be right back, sugar.”
After placing a kiss on her lips, I followed Chantal.
Ariel watched us walk away, her bottom lip caught in her teeth, her eyes narrowed.
Chantal’s arm brushed against mine, and she looked at me from under her lashes. “So, you and Ariel, huh?”
Not moving my gaze from where I was going, I nodded, then put space between us. “Yup, me and Ariel.”
“Isn’t she a little inexperienced?”
I didn’t think experience mattered if you liked someone. The chemistry would still be there, whether or not they were a virgin. The feeling of coming home, of rightness when they were near, wouldn’t change.
Ariel might have been young, but she’d grown up fast to take care of her brother. And I admired her grit and determination. And her banging body, of course.
Not bothering to reply since I didn’t see the point in continuing this conversation, I sped up. Stopping at the back of the tank where the panel housed the tipping mechanism, I opened it. “What part’s not working?”
Chantal leaned in close, her breasts pressed against my arm. It was the oldest move in the world of moves and also the most obvious one. I should know, since I’d either tried them all out myself or been the recipient of them.
“There was a smell. And a noise.”
Leaning into the box, I checked to see if there were any loose connections. Not spotting anything obvious, I stepped back and out of reach of Chantal. “I can’t see anything, but I’m no expert. Can you show me the noise?”
“I’d have to dunk Roger to show you. And I don’t think he’d appreciate the extra swim. But why don’t you wait here until someone dunks him?”
That could take hours if nobody had a good aim. And I wanted to get back to Ariel. It was my fault she got sucked into volunteering in the first place. The PTA meetings had been a great place to get information on the area and everyone who attended the school, plus their parents. It was why I’d started going to begin with.
And of course, there were the cupcakes, which meant I continued to go.
Now I only went because Ariel was there.
Stepping back, I closed the panel again. I was wasting precious time on a tank that I suspected wasn’t broken. “You should ask your husband to have a look. Isn’t he an engineer?”
Chantal put her hand on my arm, leaning in as if she was telling me a secret. Which I doubted since nothing stayed a secret for long around here. We might be in a big town, but the area was almost like its own little village.
And everyone knew everyone else’s business.
“He’s with his girlfriend.”
Yup, no new information to be found there. Everyone knew he had a girlfriend. And that Chantal didn’t care as long as she got to do what she wanted.
Which wasn’t going to be me.
“Right. Well, since there’s nothing I can do here, I better get back to the ticket booth.”
Shooting her a wink, I turned on my heels before she could come up with another excuse to keep me there.
Getting back to Ariel took about thirty conversations and double that in called-out greetings.
When I spotted her, she was laughing at something the person in front of her must have said. I recognized one of the other dads who was currently going through a divorce. And he wasn’t shy about letting everyone know he was looking for wife number four.
The jealousy bubbling inside me was so strong I stumbled at the force of it hitting me. I’d never been jealous. And I didn’t know how to handle the foreign emotion. Which was why I did what I did next.
