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I reached my arms up around his neck and clung to him. He wrapped his arms around me and let me cry, kissing the top of my head before resting his chin there.
When I’d cried all my tears, I pulled away and wiped at my damp face.
“Thank you. Thank you for always making me feel better when I’m at my worst.”
He reached up and cupped my cheek. “I’d do anything for you, Tate.
Sincerity shown in his eyes and I knew his words were the truth.
“Back at ya, Brooks.”
Chapter Twenty Four
The next day was spent going to class, and studying. Study. Study. Study. If I never saw another textbook again, it wouldn’t be soon enough. I was tempted to chuck the one I was currently reading from at Jacob’s head. I wasn’t sure why Jude had thought studying at his place was such a great idea. As promised, I was staying here again tonight, but I swore I was going back home tomorrow. Jude had pouted at me when I told him I couldn’t stay here forever. His adorable pouty lip had started to crumble my defenses, but I stood strong.
It was weird though; while our relationship was new I couldn’t help feeling like I’d known him forever. Jude and I shared a soul deep connection that many never found. It was the kind of connection I’d been envious of Rowan and Trent having.
“Jacob, shut up,” Jude slapped his hands against the kitchen table where we were gathered.
Grant and his girlfriend were in the living room and I heard the sounds of her giggles.
Dylan slammed the lid of his laptop closed and thrust his fingers through his hair so it stuck up wildly around his head. “Dude, we’re all fucking exhausted. I think we should take a break and go out for a while. I’m so done with this.”
“Yeah,” Jacob agreed. “We can only study so much, and I swear after graduation I’m throwing the biggest party we’ve ever had. I need a little fun in my life.”
Jude sighed and looked at me. “What do you say? Should we take a break?”
The sensible part of me knew I should keep studying until I fell over, but I honestly couldn’t take another minute of it. “Let’s go.”
“Yes!” Dylan and Jacob high-fived.
We didn’t waste any time in leaving. The guys wanted to go to a bar, so that’s where we ended up.
I was finally introduced to Grant’s girlfriend. Her same was Anna and she seemed nice enough, but maybe a bit of an airhead. Then again, maybe she only looked that way because she was googly-eyed over Grant. I looked over at Jude who sat beside me at the large booth. I really hoped I didn’t act like that around him.
The guys ordered a bunch of food, everything from nachos to potato skins to barbeque wings. They dug in and I quickly grabbed enough for myself before it disappeared.
The bar was loud and the crowd was a mix of young and old. Most people looked a little…rough…and I would’ve been uneasy if it wasn’t for Jude and the guys.
Jude finished eating and wiped his hands on a napkin. Pointing across the room to an area I couldn’t see from where I sat, he asked, “Wanna play a game of pool?”
I looked up at him and grinned. “Can we play against each other?”
“One on one?” He clarified and I nodded. “Sure, but do you know how to play?”
I tamped down my smile. “A little. I’m not that good, but I don’t want you to use this as an opportunity to rub up on me while you pretend to teach me.”
He chuckled. “I’d never do that to you, Tater Tot.”
I snorted. “Yeah, right.”
“Okay, maybe a little rubbing,” he chuckled, lifting his thumb and forefinger up a centimeter apart, “but it’s only because your ass is amazing.”
I rolled my eyes and slid out of the booth. “I think we should make things interesting.”
“How so?” He narrowed his eyes, and by this time the guys were listening with interest.
“A bet,” I grinned. “You seem to like bets, Jude,” I tilted my head to the side, waiting for a reaction. His eyes narrowed.
