Inside Out (11 page)

Jude nodded in agreement “I’ll go put fresh sheets on my bed. Hurry up, baby. Sure you don’t need help undressing?” He rubbed his chin and eyed my body.

“I think I”ve got it. I might need help putting my pajamas back on in a little bit” I teased. I was groggy and still focused on the events from the dream. I pushed open the door to the spare room. The light was off; all except a small lamp that was turned over on its side. I saw my clothes scattered across the bed. My eyes frantically searched for the small box of items that belonged to Adam. “Oh my god!” I cried when I saw Adam’s watch shattered into pieces and scattered across the wooden dresser. It was the only part of him his wife allowed me to have. She couldn’t bear to part with anything else, but this. “Jude!” I screamed his name. I heard loud footsteps thud against the floor.

“What… what is it?” His voice was frantic and expression the same.

“Look.” I sobbed and shoved the remaining pieces of the watch into his hands.

“What’s this?” His eyes were wide and his mouth in a firm straight line.

“It’s Adam’s. It was Adam’s. It’s nothing now. It was Mitch! It had to be. Who else would do something like this?” A steady stream of tears continued to flow down my cheeks. Jude scooped me into his arms, pressing his face against my moist cheek.

“I’ll find out, I promise.” He rocked me back and forth in a soothing manner.

“It doesn’t matter, Jude. It won’t help. It won’t bring Adam back and it won’t replace his watch.” My voice was barely even audible. I was sure the pain I felt inside was even more agonizing than any physical pain I’d ever experienced.

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” Jude apologized for the actions of the intruder.

“Thank you for everything.” I sobbed hard and wrapped my arms around him. “I couldn’t make it without you. Adam’s death would have been the death of me, if I hadn’t found you.”

“I’m here, I’ll always be here.” He comforted with through words and tenderness. “I need you just as much, if not more.” His grip tightened on my back, kneading my skin with his fingertips. “Come on, I need to check the rest of the house to make sure whoever was here, is gone.” He forced me to stand, which was even more difficult than before. I was no longer tired, just weak from the sudden breakdown. I followed along behind Jude as he searched every crevice in the house; closets, bathrooms and even underneath the beds. I closed my eyes and held my breath each time he’d open a door to a dark room, just waiting for Mitch to pop out and attack. “We’re safe. Whoever it was is gone now. Let’s get some rest.” I curled up next to Jude, placing my body as close to his as possible. I enjoyed the feeling of safety that eased my worried mind when I was tucked away in his arms, against his warm, solid chest. A light mist of rain began to fall, tapping the window above our head. The soothing sounds of nature’s music relaxed me, sending me off into another deep sleep.

The alarm clock woke me with a jolt. Damn, it was six’o’clock already? I rubbed my sleepy eyes and tried to focus on my surroundings. I felt Jude’s warm breath against my neck. I leaned in to kiss his cheek. He lay still, never moving a muscle. I glanced outside the room, noticing how dark the hallway was. My heart rate accelerated, as I realized I’d have to contend with the darkness alone. After the events from the night before, I wasn’t ready for that. “Jude…” I nudged his arm and called his name. “Please wake up.”

“What is it, Sam?” He whispered with his eyes still closed.

“I think I’m going to need you to come sit on the toilet while I shower.” I confessed shamefully.

“You need me to what?” He opened his eyes and stared at me with a puzzled expression.

“I said… I need you to come to the bathroom with me while I shower. I’m scared.”

“Aw baby.” Even in the darkness I could see him trying to hide a smile.

“Well, up you go. Don’t want me to be late on my first day back.” I stood in front of the bed, tapping my foot.

“So impatient are we?” He rubbed his eyes and yawned, stretching his arms out as far as they’d go. I threw him a t-shirt and watched him slip it over his head. The more alert he became, the more amused he found the situation. “So, I have to sit on the toilet? I can’t shower with you?” His smile was devious.

“No. No you may not. I want to get to work on time. That means no hanky panky this morning.” I scolded him, pointing my finger at him and shaking it up and down.

“Oh, I think I like being told what to do. Tell me what else you want.” He licked his lips and crawled from the bed.

“I want you to straighten up before I kick your ass, damned horny toad.” I poked his chest and laughed.

“Kiss this toad and see what you get.” He puckered his lips and closed his eyes.

“You’re impossible.” I smacked him and turned to leave the room. He caught up with ease and gave my ass a gentle smack. “Jude Williams, you’re pushing your luck this morning. I’m not a morning person nor do I enjoy your humor at this hour.”

“Well, what do you do?” His laughed echoed off the walls of the hallway. “I got a thing or two in mind.”

“Park your ass on that toilet and behave. I’d like to show up to work on time.”

“Yes ma’am.” He plopped down on the lid of the commode and stared at me as I undressed. “I’m forced to watch a strip tease and not allowed to do anything about it. This is messed up.” I shushed him and dropped the last piece of clothing, scurrying in a hurried fashion to cover myself with the shower curtain. I could hear the rustle of the curtain as Jude’s sneaky fingertips slid back the edge.

“I’m not deaf, you know?” I proclaimed in annoyance.

“I’m just going to watch. Quit your bellyaching.” He wrinkled up his nose at me and slid his hand inside the shower, caressing my arm just once. “I promise I’ll be good.” He retracted his hand and did just as he said, watched me bathe without making a move. Jude had a towel waiting for me when I turned off the shower. I stepped out and into his arms, letting him wrap the towel around my cold body. He rubbed the cloth against my arms in an attempt to warm them. He seemed very pleased with the task of drying me off. Very slowly, he trailed down my body, dabbing the towel across the areas that held moisture. When he was finished, he grabbed his dark blue robe and draped it across my shoulders. “I told you I’d be good.” He said arrogantly with his shoulders held back.

“You did great” I kissed him. Come on, I need to hurry so I can eat breakfast.” I rushed down the hall and into the spare room. Jude was sprawled out across the bed. I tried my best to ignore him and focus on getting ready. I dried my hair, applied a minimal amount of makeup and twisted my hair into a professional type bun. “How does it look?” I asked when I finished with my hair.

“Just as beautiful as always.” He bit his lip and smiled. I slid on a light green blouse and a black knee length skirt, finishing the outfit off with black stilettoes. I misted myself with one spray of perfume, and used a about half a can of hairspray to hold the tight bun in place.

“All done, let’s eat.” I turned to show Jude the final product.

He pulled me to him, running his nose along my neck. “Don’t rush to take this off when you get home tonight. I’ll do that for you.” He whispered into my ear, sending goosebumps down my flesh. As much as I wanted to spend the day entangled in the sheets with him, I knew time was ticking by and I needed to get prepared for work. Jude must have sensed my thoughts. I tensed and turned to touch his cheek. “Okay, Samantha, let’s go have breakfast. Tonight, you’re mine though.” He ran his hands down my blouse, straightening out a few wrinkles. “Perfect.”

“Wish I had more time.” I poked out my bottom lip. “I don’t want to go to work hungry. I get grumpy.”

“I can believe that.” He joked and wrapped his arms around my waist, walking along behind me through the hallway.

“You sit. I’ll cook this time” I insisted. Jude hesitated but didn’t put up too much of a fuss. He took a seat at the table and flipped open a magazine. I could occasionally feel his eyes on me. As much as I hated to cook, this felt nice. I wanted to put my fair share of work in around here. I was lost in a daydream when I heard a loud vibration coming from Jude’s phone. He picked up the phone and said, “Hello?” Who in the world would be calling so early? I continued fiddling with the cooking utensils as I eavesdropped, careful not to make it obvious.

“Yes? Here? I’m going to need to speak with Sam. Yes, Samantha River. She’s my girlfriend.” Jude spoke to the person on the phone with aggravation. I couldn’t help but smile when I heard him refer to me as his girlfriend. “I guess, Kara. I’ll see you in a bit.” He sighed heavily and slammed the phone against the table.

”Who was that?” I pretended I hadn’t been listening in on the conversation.

“That was Kara. She’s asked to stay here Sam. She broke up with Kyle and he hit her. He claims he’ll do more if she doesn’t take him back. She says she’s terrified and just needs to stay here until she gets back on her feet.”

“Oh.” I had no other words to offer.

“Don’t be upset. She’s just a friend.”

“You have a thing for battered women, huh?” I blurted out in annoyance. “Are you going to start a shelter or something? I’ll work the front desk.” I was bitter. I couldn’t believe he was allowing another woman to stay here with us. I’d just gotten comfortable with the feeling of my new home and now I’d have to get acquainted with a stranger, a female stranger at that. “Look I need go to work. Can I just use the car?”

“Baby, sure you can. But, I can take you.” His expression was torn. He held out his hand to me. “Please, I don’t want to upset you. I just can’t allow her to sleep on the streets. She has no one.”

I felt my guard drop and my heart sink. He was only being a good friend and I was throwing a tantrum about it. “I’m sorry.” I mumbled and ran the toe of my stilettoes across the floor. “I’ll move all my belongings into your room, tonight.”

“I want you with me every night.” He let out a sigh of relief and brushed his thumb across my cheek. “It won’t be for long and it won’t change a thing between us. And Sam, she’ll be here tonight.” He turned his head sideways, almost cringing at the thought.

“Oh. Well, maybe you can start moving my things into your room today. I have to go.” I struggled to keep calm. I wouldn’t even have another night alone with him. I swallowed back emotions and kissed his face. “Talk to you tonight.” I pulled the keys from his hand “I’ll take myself.” I talked myself down the entire drive to work. I didn’t like this new arrangement one bit. Jude was absolutely breathtaking in every way. I couldn’t believe she was only interested in a friendship with him. The drive to work seemed to take forever, leaving me alone with my thoughts. My nerves were on edge when I finally turned into the parking lot. The sight of the building was a lot less appealing that I imagined. After all this time away from my second home, I wasn’t as thrilled about being back as I’d hoped. The only thing that seemed to brighten my mood was Randi’s car parked two cars down from mine. I was excited to see her again and to gossip about Ricky and the events from the restaurant with Mitch.

“Hey.” I almost jumped out of my skin. Randi was so close to my face I could smell her tooth paste.

“Damn, woman. Trying to give me a heart attack?” I placed my palm over my chest and sucked in a deep breath of air.

“Sorry. I missed you!” She wrapped her arms around me and squeezed.

“Didn’t we just have dinner?” I lifted an eyebrow and stared at her curiously.

“I meant…I’ve missed you here.” She placed her hand on her hip and exaggerated an eye roll.

“Glad to know someone is happy I’m back.” I locked Jude’s car, checking it twice before turning to walk along side Randi.

“Everyone has missed you. Well, maybe everyone except Ashley.” She tipped her head to the left discreetly, in the direction Ashley stood glaring at me.

“She better get over it. I’m not in the mood to deal with her attitude today.” I muttered through closed teeth and sarcastically smiled at Ashley. “Let’s get this day over with.” I moaned and held the door open for Randi and a few other employees.

“Welcome back, Sam.” Dr. Sonny tapped my shoulder and spoke in a gentle voice. “Nothing has been the same without you. I want to express my deepest condolences about the loss of your brother. He was a good man.” He tipped his head down, disguising the look of sadness on his face.

“Thank you. I appreciate you letting me have time off.” I leaned over, placing my hand on his shoulder for a brief, awkward hug. He pulled me against his chest, bear hugging me like my grandpa always did. He smelled of old man cologne and fabric softener. “Get to work, kiddo.” He smiled, bearing his set of pearly white dentures.

“Yes sir.” I stuttered, trying to recover from the embrace.

“Told you everyone missed you.” Randi whispered from her desk. I smirked and took a seat at my desk. Everything was just as it was. A few pictures were out of place, Ashley’s doings I was sure. I adjusted them to the exact location as before and shot a quick glance in her direction. She set in her desk, wearing a pissed off expression that did nothing but amuse me. I tried hard to focus on my work. Drones of data lay in front of me that needed to be input into the system. I clicked away at the computer, losing myself in thoughts of Kara and Jude more times than I could count. I couldn’t help but think she had already showed up, talking and laughing and getting all too cozy with my man. My mind conjured up an image of this beauty sitting next to Jude, twirling her fingertips on the back of his head while chatting about her abusive ex-boyfriend. I stared at the clock. One minute clicked by, feeling more like five.

“Ready for lunch?” Randi’s voice jolted me from unconsciousness like an alarm clock. I must have dozed off during that wretched daydream.

“Uh, yeah, I was just… resting my eyes” I stammered.

“Oh yeah? You drool when you’re resting your eyes?” She covered her mouth to hold in a laugh.

“Oh shut it.” I giggled. “I had leftover Chinese food. I rushed out this morning and freaking forgot it. Dammit.” I stomped my foot underneath the desk.

“No sweat. I made a sub this morning. It’s much too big for just me. We’ll share it.”