Page 138 of Still Bruised
“You’re laughing?” Mia asked, tears shining again.
“I’m laughing because…” Jude shook his head. “I assumed you might’ve still had feelings for me. I thoughtthatwas why you were acting awkward.”
Mia’s eyes widened. “Do you really think I’m still crushing on my gay ex-boyfriend fifteen years later? Jesus, Jude… I’m married and just had a baby. I don’t have feelings like that for you.”
“I couldn’t figure out anything else. I assumed it wasn’t because you were homophobic. You have no problem with Anton being around.”
“Wait—Anton’s gay?”
Jude stiffened. “Um… no… he’s not… he’s…. ah…”
Mia grinned. “Relax. I know he’s bi.”
Jude sighed with relief.
“We weren’t just boyfriend and girlfriend. We were close and I miss that, Jude. I’d like to befriendsagain.” She scoffed, smiling… but the smile quickly faded. Her face twisted, the tears glittering again. “I’m so sorry I wasn’t there for you when you needed me. Can you forgive me?”
“There’s nothing to forgive,” Jude whispered. “It must’ve felt like I’d lied to you and in some ways, I guess I did. I didn’t know who I really was back then, so it wasn’t a lie in that moment, if that makes sense. I was figuring shit out and you were my friend, and you felt safe. But still. It wasn’t right to lead you on, and I’m sorry that I hurt you.”
“There’s no reason for you to be sorryfor anything.”Mia fanned her face, grumbling,“fucking pregnancy hormones”under her breath as her eyes glistened with more tears. After a few seconds,she smiled at him. “Can we just wipe the slate clean and try this again?”
Jude smiled. “I’d like that.”
The baby whimpered, drawing their attention to her. She settled right back down with a little gentle rocking. Once she was quiet again, Mia looked his way.
“Want to hold her?”
“I don’t know…” Jude said. He didn’t know much about babies and Mia’s baby looked impossibly tiny and fragile. He broke bones for a living. No way was he harming their kid on day one.
“Lemme help,” someone said behind him.
Jude turned and saw Roan striding into the room. He walked up to the bed and carefully gathered the little bundle from Mia. He smiled in Jude’s direction before crossing over. Their gazes met before Roan laid their little girl in his arms.
“You made that look easy,” Jude said.
“My sister’s had enough rugrats that I got in some practice over the years,” Roan said. “Now’s your turn, Uncle Jude.”
Jude looked down into her little face. She was beautiful, even if she had Roan’s nose. He smiled, amazed that one of his best friends had helped create her.
He lifted his gaze to Mia.Twoof his best friends had made her.
“You two did good,” Jude said with a smile.
“Did Mia tell you the name I suggested?” Roan asked, a broad smile on his lips.
“Yeah, she did,” Jude replied, meeting Roan’s gaze. “I’d be honored.” He glanced at Mia. “That is… if that’s the name youse pick.”
“Well, I did have another concern about it,” Mia said.
Jude eyed her.
Roan sighed with exasperation. “It sounded like you two had patched things up.”
“We have,”Mia said, a bit snippy. She looked at Jude.“Somebodyused to call you Judith to pick on you. I wouldn’t want our baby’s name to bring up painful memories for you, either.”
“Oh, shit,” Roan said. “I forgot he used to say that.” Roan looked at Jude. “I’m sorry. We can pick something else. Maybe just go with Jude.”
“You wouldn’t be using Judith to mock me. Quite the opposite.” He smiled at them both. “Intention matters and I’d behonored.”He paused a second, looking at their little girl. “You have every right to choose whatever name feels right. I won’t feel slighted if you go another route.”
