Page 70 of Reckless

But she is his friend. He’s made that clear. He’s known her a lot longer than he’s known me. I don’t even know what band issues they’re having. They might have some serious things to talk about.

No words are coming when I try to sit down and write so I close the laptop. Emily calls and we talk about the convention in Chicago and go through the schedule again. Then I shower and change and text Drew to make sure they arrived home. Then I head over to their place.

I diligently refuse to check my phone. I haven’t even sent him a reply. And now I’m fretting over it. Is he wondering why I haven’t replied? Does he think I’m mad? Indifferent?

“Stop it,” I admonish myself and focus on the road.

I’m looking forward to seeing Drew and Wayne. It’s been too long, and I always have fun during the time I spend with them. The disappointment swirling through me at not having Jude here is irrational.

Drew and Wayne’s house is outside of the city, close to the Iowa border, and backs on to the Big Sioux River. It’s set on twenty acres and fenced in with a private security firm watching over the place. There is a separate pool house and gym on the grounds and a six-car garage Wayne has filled.

Despite the wealth, they’re two of the most down-to-earth people you could ever meet. And so in love. I’d been Drew’s maid of honor when they got married three years ago. I have never been happier to see two people come together like these two. They’re soulmates.

The house has a guest wing, so when they have people over, they have their privacy. I always stay in the same bedroom. They think of it as mine, which is crazy given I spend two days a year here, and occasionally when there is an event happening.

I turn the RV onto the tree lined road and have to jump out to press the intercom. One of the security guys answers and tells me to drive right up. It takes a few minutes to get all the way up the driveway and for the house to come into view. This place takes my breath away every time I see it.

Wayne had it built after we graduated from college. Drew had a big hand in designing it. She didn’t want a modern house with lots of glass and hard lines. She wanted it to fit in with the surroundings, not stand out like a sore thumb.

The entire house is on one level, apart from over the garage where they each have an office and there is a soundproof movie room.

Both of them are standing outside when I pull up. Drew is bouncing on her toes. Wayne is on his phone. I almost laugh at how typical this scene is. But I know Drew is excited about meeting Jude.

Taking a deep breath, I grab my overnight bag, keys, and phone and head out of the RV.

“You’re here!” Drew shrieks and runs over to hug me.

She’s five eleven with honey blonde hair, blue eyes and a body that makes men do foolish things. She has a heart of gold to go with said body but has only had eyes for Wayne since they admitted their feelings early in college.

She’s incredibly smart too, graduating at the top of her class and going on to get a master’s degree. She helps Wayne run his arm of the family business.

Wayne trails behind his wife and he takes my bag when Drew finally stops squeezing the life out of me. He gives me a one-armed hug of his own. He’s roughly around six five, handsome as hell with dark skin and eyes. As long as I’ve known him, Wayne has kept his hair close cropped to his head. He used to get called Derek Morgan in college after the Criminal Minds character, because he looks so much like the actor Shemar Moore.

Drew is peering behind me, then back at me, then over to the RV again.

“He isn’t here.”

“What? Did something happen?”

“No, but he’ll be here later,” I assure her. I hope anyway. She lets the disappointment go over her and we head inside.

The house smells like freshly baked bread and makes my stomach rumble. I haven’t eaten yet today. Drew hears, laughs, and says she will go grab us some snacks.

"Have you heard from him today?" Wayne moves to the hallway that leads to the guest wing.

“From Jude?” I stop him. He turns to look at me. “He text to say he'd be here later. Why?”

“So you aren't aware of what happened last night?”

“Last night?" I swallow, staring at my friend.

“The guitarist from your man’s band, Ethan Blackmore, he got arrested last night.”

“Really. Oh shit."

“Yeah, I only know because a friend owns the club he was in when the trouble started. Your man wasn’t there. Just Ethan.”

That’s a relief. I think. No wonder Jude couldn’t come back. Jesus. I hope he is okay. He has enough on his plate and now he has to worry about a band member getting arrested. God, the press is going to have a field day with this.

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