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Reading people was essential to surviving in my business. And I was usually good at it. But Jude was still a puzzle.
We watched the rest of the game in silence, and I couldn’t say I hated it. Despite telling myself that I wasn’t interested in my new neighbor, I kept sneaking glances at his profile.
Despite his tall, muscular frame, he exuded a boyish charm. His messy hair only added to his appeal. And I’d wondered more than once what his big hands would feel like on my body.
We waited for Lenny at the bottom of the stairs after the game finished. As soon as we hit the last step, Jude was surrounded by moms and dads alike. Sometimes I envied his ability to draw people in. Other times I resented it because it took his attention away from me. And wasn’t that just the kicker?
I’d never wanted anyone’s attention. And I fought my confusing feelings with every fiber of my being.
Lenny bounced up to us and I pulled him to my side, ruffling his hair. He fought me off but didn’t get away fast enough to avoid a kiss to his head. “Great game.”
“I fumbled a pass in the last quarter. And I missed a shot in the second.”
There was nobody more critical of Lenny than Lenny. He used to get so obsessed with a task that he wouldn’t give up until he’d mastered it. While he’d grown out of it somewhat, he still picked apart his every performance.
“You shot more goals than anyone else. I’d say you did just fine.”
His lopsided smile made a rare and fleeting appearance before he hunched his shoulders again.
Jude joined us, his arms going around each of us. “I’m starving.”
Lenny chuckled. “You’re always starving.”
Jude released us, waving his arms up and down his sides. “This perfect body needs a lot of food.”
My brother and I snorted and made our way to the exit. I fished my keys out of my bag, then pushed through the door into the cool night air. I didn’t make it two steps before Jude took the keys out of my hand. “We’ll take my car and swing by again on the way home to pick yours up.”
Despite living in Chicago, we usually stuck close to home, never venturing farther than we had to. Traffic was a nightmare, and since I had bad road rage, Lenny had prohibited me from driving more than twenty minutes.
It was a rule that had served us well so far. And now Jude insisted on driving us whenever we were together.
Lenny skipped next to us. “Good idea. Yesterday she gave a big biker the finger for stopping too close to our car. And if the light hadn’t turned green, he’d have done more than glare since he was about to get off his bike.”
Scoffing, I shook my head at the little tattletale. “I’d have liked to see him try.”
Jude only raised a brow, then opened the passenger door for me. I tried hard not to like the fact that he was a gentleman. But, as usual, I failed and got in his truck with a smile. A barely there one, but a smile nonetheless.
We spent the drive arguing over what radio station to listen to. Jude only liked bands that sounded like they were possessed, Lenny just wanted to hear the NBA scores, and I refused to listen to anything but oldies.
The familiar sight of Tony’s shut everyone up, and by the time we pulled into the parking lot, the silent radio didn’t matter, pizza the only thing on our minds.
Lenny ran ahead, disappearing inside, leaving Jude and me to follow. He held the door open for me, waiting until I’d walked through.
Don’t get used to it, Ariel. He’s going to disappear again. They all do eventually.
He helped me take my jacket off, his hand brushing over the exposed skin on my neck in the process, causing goose bumps to break out all over. “How was your day?”
His words were low, his head close enough that I could feel the heat of his body. I froze in place, my heart hammering erratically in my chest. I wore a long-sleeve shirt that covered my scratches, but there was nothing I could do about the cow shit. But since he was still standing close it must not have been as strong as I thought.
“Good.” I cleared my throat, grateful I’d found my voice again even though I was still not moving. “It was good.”
Lenny came to a sliding stop next to us, breaking the moment. “Tony said he’ll be over after he gets our pizzas in the oven.”
I sucked in a lungful of air and sat down on the comfortable bench seat. “Thanks, bud.”
Lenny sat next to Jude on the opposite bench, unaware of the tension still lingering in the air. “Did you know he got a new puppy? His name is Piccolo, but Tony calls him Pico. And he said I can walk him any time I want.”
Lenny had always wanted a pet. But after an incident that involved a goldfish and a toy train, I’d decided no more pets for now.
