Page 104 of Still Bruised
“Yeah,” Anton said before sneaking a sip of wine. “Oh, that’s the good shit. If he brought that, he gets bonus points.”
“Anton…”
Anton smiled and lowered the goblet. “Yeah.”
“What trash have you and Roan been talking?”
“Like I said. You’ve changed.”
Jude scoffed.
Anton moved a little closer and searched his face. “Your head’s always on a swivel. You’re jumpy. You’re never able to just be in the moment, not entirely. But the last few weeks, you seem almost… peaceful.” Anton smiled. “At ease. It’s a good look on you.” Anton returned to look at the table and stole a crouton from the top of the salad bowl. He popped it as he walked closer to Jude. “If this new guy you’re hiding is the cause of it, I’m happy for you. Which means you don’t have to hide him.”
“There isn’t anyone hiding,” Jude snapped.
“Fine, fine,” Anton said. “I can’t wait to meet the guynothiding in your bedroom. Whenever you’re ready.”
Jude scowled.
“Something more serious might be good for you.”
Tell him. Tell him the truth and just see where the cards fall. Yeah, he’ll be angry that it’s Foster, but maybe he’ll get over it.
Eventually
“Something serious?Not this guy,” Jude replied, unable to force the admission from his lips.
“Yeah, yeah…” Anton turned and walked back towards the stairs. “Have fun tonight. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
The need to tell Anton about Foster screamed in his veins, but instead, he watched his best friend disappear. He was a coward.
As soon as the door shut downstairs, Jude released the breath he’d been holding the entire time. His heart thundered in his chest, and his legs felt like rubber. Why hadn’t he just fessed up and gotten things over with?
Why had he stood there frozen with fear?
Because they didn’t belong together. As soon as he told Anton, that would break the spell they’d been living under. Anton would talk sense into him and make him see the truth.
Jude wasn’t ready for it to be over, so he’d kept his mouth closed.
He walked to the bedroom door and peeked inside. “All clear.”
“Okay,” Foster said.
As they Foster walked out of the bedroom, Anton reappeared at the head of the stairs.
“Hey, don’t forget the party Saturday nigh?—”
Anton’s eyes widened the second they landed on Foster.
Jude’s stomach turned.
“What the actual fuck?”Anton asked, eyes narrowing. “What ishedoing here?” His gaze whipped to Jude. “What is he doing here, Jude?”
“It’s not what it looks like,” Jude said, taking a step toward Anton.
“It doesn’t look like you were hiding Foster in your bedroom so I wouldn’t see he’s here—on a date—with you?”
Jude glanced at Foster, signaling toward his bedroom. “Can you give us a minute?”
