Page 62 of Still Bruised
“The one who shoved you down and rode that big dick of yours?” Jude surveyed Foster from head to toe and back up again. “Correct.”
The dumb look on Foster’s face was pure gold. That alone was worth coming over for.
After a few more seconds, Foster broke the silence. “I thought it might’ve been you. I hoped it wasn’t.”
“You hoped it wasn’t?” Jude scoffed.“Thanks.”
“I didn’t mean it like that,” Foster said, shaking his head. “I just… I didn’t want to add another reason for you to hate me onto the pile.”
Jude relaxed hearing that. It meant the plan circling in his head could move forward.
“I even looked you up on social media. Found a picture of you at work. With all your many things on it was hard to tell, but I didn’t think it was you. You looked a bit stockier. Shorter.” He pointed to his own chin. “And you didn’t have a beard that night but did in the picture and now. I’d crossed you off the list of suspects.”
Suspects?“Are you going to have me arrested?”
“No,” Foster replied, his voice low. “Not when I know it was deserved. You’re probably owed a few more.”
Damned right I am.
Silence fell between them. Jude’s body thrummed with an electric current, a pull coming from Foster’s direction. Their eyes met, and Jude couldn’t look away.
“Why?”Foster suddenly asked.
Jude frowned, not understanding the question. “Why did I hit you? I think we’ve determined that.”
“No.Why would you fuck me? Was it some weird form of punishment?”
“I didn’t know it was you.”
Foster seemed to relax after that.
“It was dark in there. We had masks on. I could barely see. I didn’t know it was you until I came out after and overheard Cary say your name. You don’t find too many Fosters around, you know.” Jude let out a shaky breath. “I said your name, and you turned right around and confirmed it was who I thought it was just before my fist landed in the middle of your face.”
There was still a faint, faint bruise under Foster’s left eye. He would’ve loved to have seen it in full bloom. Maybe taken a few pictures for his scrapbook.
Foster swallowed. “I swear I had no idea it was you. I never would’ve approached if I had.”
“I gathered,” Jude spat.
“How anyone could see anything in that room, I don’t know,” Foster said. He captured Jude’s gaze. “I’m sure it was a gut-punch to find out you’d just been with the enemy. I’m sorry for that.”
“Areyou my enemy, Foster?”
Silence stretched between them.
“I never wanted to be.” Foster scrubbed his cheek, gaze searching around the room, landing on nothing before he focused on Jude again. “I was a coward. And in my cowardice, I caused you immeasurable pain. I knew then I was a piece of shit. My opinion of myself hasn’t changed much.”
Jude moved his gaze away, unable to see the sorrow in Foster’s eyes. That sorrow was nothing in comparison to what heexperienced, yet it spoke to something inside Jude. It shouldn’t have meant anything, but it did.
He scanned the small apartment with its outdated furnishings instead of looking at Foster, allowing his mind to chew on what he wanted to say next. “Nice digs.” He lifted a white goose wearing a sunhat and a pale blue ribbon around its neck. The back was filled with wooden spoons and spatulas. “It’s like a time capsule from the 90s in here.”
“Yeah, it’s dated, but it’s temporary. I’ve been staying here since a little before the divorce was finalized and just until I figure out where I go next.”
Heisdivorced. That’s good to confirm. I won’t have Ashley breathing down my neck.“How long do you plan to stay in town?”
“I’ve been looking for work in the area. New York or Jersey. I’d like to stay somewhat close for my parents, but I don’t know if that’s going to happen. You might be rid of me soon enough. I might have to branch out to Boston or Chicago.”
“The golden boy can’t find work? I’m surprised. You were always handed everything from what I remember.”
