Page 69 of Still Bruised
Why did the hurt expression that crossed Foster’s face bother him so much?This is transactional. No emotions. No attachments. His hurt feelings don’t matter.
“Falling asleep was a mistake. It won’t happen again,” Jude said before walking out.
Standing at the top of the stairs, he scanned the area to see if there was anyone around. The coast looked clear. He raced down the steps. As soon as his feet hit the driveway, he noticed Foster’s mom inside the kitchen, puttering around. It didn’t look like she’d noticed him, so he walked as quickly as he could to escape being caught.
It was still early enough that few people were out and about. Only a couple of cars passed him as he made his way to the opposite end of Foster’s street. As he turned a corner, he saw a jogger ahead and decided that might be good cover—and get him there faster.
The heat was already unbearable. Sweat quickly coated his body as he jogged toward the shop. Once he neared, he found his whole team standing outside, waiting to get inside.
He tossed his keys to Paulie when he was close enough. He stopped, putting his hands on his knees and caught his breath.Man, I’m out of shape.“Sorry, guys. I tried going for a jog this morning and apparently went too far. I didn’t give myself enough time to get back.”
They all looked him over, smug smiles on their faces. Clearly they didn’t believe him.
“Do you usually run in jeans?” one of his cutters asked him.
“Hey, look, we’ve all done the walk of shame,” Paulie said while unlocked the security gate. “Stop harassing him.”
Red-faced, Jude ignored Paulie as his employees chuckled. “I’m going to go grab a shower and I’ll be down in a few.”
Paulie tossed the keys after everything was opened. “Take your time. We gotcha, Boss.”
Jude eyed Paulie, who had too much twinkle in his eyes. Shame nearly made him lash out, but no way was he doing that. Jude trusted few people, but Paulie was on thatveryshort list. He’d relied heavily on his right-hand man, especially when his father had been sick.
Paulie had been his dad’s final hire, the youngest on the butchers’ crew when Jude had started full-time after quitting high school. After Jude had taken the reins, all of his dad’s crew had slowly retired. All but one.
After the staff went inside, Paulie remained outside, the expression on his face odd.
“It wasn’t what you think it was,” Jude said.
“Yeah, it was,” Paulie said. “And I’m glad to see it. I’m tired of you living your life like a monk.”
Jude scoffed. A monk? Hardly. Paulie knew he was gay, but that’s about all he knew. Jude did his damnedest not to cross professional and personal. He usually succeeded.
“I can’t remember the last time you had a date. It’s good that you’re getting yourself out there,” Paulie said.
A date.
Foster Pricehadn’tbeen a date.
But why did the idea of it becoming that sound so enticing?
“Maybe it’s time you give me a little more responsibility,” Paulie said.
“What more can I give you?”
“Keys to the door, for one,” Paulie replied. “So I can open up if you’re running late. That way, no one has to see your walks of shame.”
“It wasn’t that,” Jude repeated.
“Sure, sure,” Paulie said. “Then… you can go out for morning jogs and let me open up for you. You work twelve, thirteen hours a day, six days a week, Jude. I’m amazed you haven’t burnt yourself out already. If I had the keys, you could come in later. You could take another day off a week, too.”
“I’ll take it under consideration,” Jude said.
“Consideration?” Paulie frowned. “Yeah, sure. Okay.”
Jude watched him walk away, disappointed, knowing he likely should’ve agreed. He could hear Anton in his head.
Control freak.
