Page 90 of Still Bruised
Foster’s shoulders dropped, his expression devoid of emotion.
“If you can’t separate the two, then tell me now,” Jude said. “And we can end this before it gets any more complicated.”
Foster looked away for a second before turning back. “I’ll get them in check.”
Jude clenched his jaw, wondering if Foster realized what he’d just revealed. It was an admission—that Foster had feelings for him to get into check. Jude dug his fingertips into his palms to prevent himself from asking what those feelings were.
He wasnotgoing to open that door. There was only trouble behind it.
End it now before it gets too deep.
End it now.
Now!
“Good. Glad to hear it,” Jude replied, ignoring his own common sense. “Get it together.”
He needed to leave before he made a bigger ass of himself, but his feet seemed rooted to the floor. He couldn’t move.
He couldn’t walk away.
“When do you start the new job?”
Foster’s gaze darted his way. “Monday. I go in to sign papers. I’ll hopefully know what my schedule looks like after that.”
“Good,” Jude said. “Let me know so I can arrange your next payment.”
Foster’s gaze met his.
Jude swallowed the lump in his throat before forcing himself to the door. He walked out without a goodbye and raced down the steps. He stopped midway, spun, and marched back up, stopping in front of the door. He stared at the knob, trying to summon the courage to walk back inside.
No. Wecannotdo this.
I can’t let him get any closer than he already has.
He probably stared at that door for a full minute. Before he could force himself to walk away, it whipped open and Foster stepped outside with a hoodie and gray sweatpants on, pocketing his keys and his phone. He stared down at Jude, the silence palpable.
“Where are you going?” Jude asked, his brows furrowing.
“Your place,” Foster said. He pressed a gentle kiss to Jude’s forehead before walking down the stairs. He paused midway, remote started his SUV, and then looked up at Jude. “You coming?”
Jude clenched his jaw, knowing he shouldn’t allow this to happen, but he was swept up in the tide, unable to stop their forward momentum no matter how hard he tried. He slowly descended, his mind reeling. Foster remained on the third to the last step, waiting for him. When Jude met him, Foster collected his hand and tugged him toward the waiting vehicle.
He slipped inside without a word, unable to look at Foster.
They drove toward the shop, the only sound the engine and the music playing faintly on the radio. Jude barely heard it over the pounding of his heart. As they neared Anton’s house, he sank down in the seat, terrified of being seen. It was late enough that Anton was likely in bed or soon would be. Few souls were out on the street at that hour, but he remained low in the seat until they pulled up a few blocks away.
Just in case.
“Is this far enough?”
Jude shot Foster a frown.“What?”
“I don’t want there to be new rumors if my SUV was parked outside your place all night,” Foster said. “I’ve caused you enough shit already. So… is this far enough away?”
“It’s fine,” Jude muttered after glancing outside to ensure the coast was clear.
They both exited and quietly slipped through the long shadows cast along the sidewalk. A chill breeze washed over Jude as he turned into the alley towards his apartment. Neither of them said a word as they marched upstairs and undressed. Foster took his hand and drew him into the bathroom. He started the shower, and they slipped in together, taking turns cleaning one another’s body.
