She's gonna be his #1 groupie! What do you think so far?
~Jude’s Point of View~ It had been years since I had a specific female standing backstage watching me. Someone here just for me, because of me. Someone who would be waiting to go home with me and that just switched me on more than I’d ever felt. Throw in the baby she was growing that would have my talent and her beauty, I couldn’t stand it. When I asked Lukas to change the line up and add a song he didn’t even question me. He was all for it. As the first set came to an end the band cleared off, but someone brought out two stools and the crowd went nuts. Lukas and I were going to wing it, but we used to do shit like this all the time, before our stupid A&R guy got in our faces about sticking to his program. We agreed that he could go fuck his program and were stoked to tell the guys. This was our music, our art and our story. We were going to tell it how we saw fit. “This is uhm, an oldie but a song that has a deep place in our hearts. I’m not really sure why we ever stopped playing
~Juliet’s Point of View~ “Everything okay guys,” Slade yelled. “You wanna come face the bitches or go back and have me fuck your brains out? Oh but uhm, you’re keeping those shoes on,” Jude said, rubbing his nose on my forehead. I laughed. I loved that he was silly like me, I would have thought he’d be more macho, not so affectionate. But I had to admit the reality of this man … he couldn’t keep his hands off me. He’d proved to me tonight he was more than willing to do it publicly. “I want to take you to my place,” I said, blushing. I wanted my own bed, and I wanted him in it, some kind of weird primal urge. “Give me your purse so you can’t leave while I talk to Slade,” he said, and I rolled my eyes. I gave it to him and he looked ridiculous with it but he was just adorable with how he cared about me. He told Gavin to wait next to me. I had to get over myself. I was having his baby. It didn’t get much more locked in than that. Slade stepped into the door of the club as he held
~Juliet’s Point of View~ After making Jude breakfast and convincing him I’d be okay to handle Jada on my own we said our good-byes. He was playing at a show in Charleston tonight anyhow and really had to be off so I wasn’t going to keep him. We exchanged actual phone numbers so we wouldn’t just be talking over social media and I let him know when my next doctor’s appointment would be. I gave him one of my ultrasound pictures and the look in his eyes nearly had me in tears. He was excited, he was interested and already talked about buying baby books since he had no clue what he was doing. “Jadaaaaaa,” I called as I fumbled into the main house. I had already heard Janelle crying the moment I walked in so I knew she wasn’t sleeping. I found my sister in the nursery, in a heap of laundry, trying to sort socks. “You know, I’ve told you for years that I literally only buy black socks, the same kind. Why does everyone make it so damn hard? It just doesn’t have to be … no one cares about
~Jude’s Point of View~ “I’ll give you all the cash I have if you’ll drive me to Charlotte tonight,” I said, jumping into my Uber. The kid turned around, he couldn’t be more than 20. “What are we talking about dude,” he said, interested. I fumbled around in my wallet and counted out $800. It was probably cheaper than a last minute plane ticket. I hadn’t told Juliet but I had planned to come back, I left all my crap mostly at the hotel in Charlotte and extended my stay by a week. I just had a small backpack with me. “You got it man, must be going to see about a girl huh,” he said, laughing and grabbing his GPS. “Absolutely, and she’s more than worth it,” I said, leaning back. I was still way too keyed up from the show to drive myself, and I’d had a fight with Slade about bringing Gavin with me. What the hell would he do while I was with my girl? He’d heard/seen me with women before but with Juliet? No way, some things are just fucking private. The band and everyone called me nuts
~Juliet’s Point of View~ RING RING RING “Excuse me,” Jude said, looking down at his phone. He got up and wandered outside, looking every bit a model even in an old Anthrax t-shirt and basketball shorts. Still absolutely mouth watering. “Helllllo,” Jada said, waving her hand in front of me. “Yep,” I said, turning my attention back to my dear sister. “You’ve fallen for him like a fucking body sleeping with the fishes,” she said, making me laugh. Jada is always graphic, in the weirdest but best ways. It certainly breaks up the day. I watched as Jakob took the baby away to get a bath. “I’m just nervous you know? There’s not been anyone you’ve been serious about since Marcus. It’s been a long time since you looked at anyone like that. I’m just--” I cut her off. “You don’t think I know? Of course I’m terrified he’ll break my heart. But what can I do? He’s asked me to keep an open mind, to be in the moment with him. I’m sure he’s on with his manager or publicist right now finalizing
~Juliet’s Point of View~ For me, going back to my hometown is always a good idea … until I get there. Jada had to be at the shop since Monday is one of her busiest days and it would have been weird for Jakob to come without her. I instead brought Janelle because I felt like I needed something. Some buffer. Who doesn’t love a baby anyhow? Okay maybe it was a cowardly move, but I needed someone else. Even a non-verbal drooler that would likely sleep the whole time would do. “Why do I feel absolute panic and stress radiating off of you,” Jude asked, as he drove. He said it was too weird for me to drive him, and I wasn’t complaining. It was taking some getting used to having someone open my doors, think and plan things along with me. But so far I was loving it. Okay it’s not like it had been all that long with his help and input … but still. I was glad I at least got a new car last year, if he was behind the wheel of my tiny ass Ford Fiesta that would certainly be something. He looke
~Juliet’s Point of View~ “Wanna talk about it,” Jude asked, as we pulled away from the grocery store. He held my hand and stroked the back of it. I made a face but went ahead and gave him the low down, more than the condensed version I’d already told him. I explained about that last day, how I felt empowered. I felt like I was taking back control of my life. While I had spent all those years convinced I was in an equal partnership, it was clear I wasn’t. I was completely a housewife to Marcus the whole time we were together. He never washed clothes, dishes, or cleaned up. I had grown up so used to seeing my mom do all those things, maybe for a while I just assumed it was the woman’s duty. Or some shit. But he used me, all the time. He used me to look cool to his friends, he used me so he wouldn’t be alone. So he wouldn’t have to do all that shit for himself. Looking back now I realized we always went where he wanted for trips, even for dinner. I just went along with it all and ne
~Jude’s Point of View~ The whole ride home from the Cook’s house, Juliet was quiet and I needed to let her process whatever was in her head. I knew my life growing up was fucked, my parents were barely around. But her parents were right fucking there, with her everyday. But completely not there. I don’t know if I could believe it without seeing it. What a mind fuck. I needed to do something to sweep this beautiful woman off her feet. I absolutely needed her to know I was here for her, I would give her anything and everything. Clearly for Juliet that wasn’t shoes, handbags or shit from a store. It took every ounce of restraint not to flip out on her parents when they went on about that damn cat. Her incredible daughter is sitting right here, in front of them bearing part of her soul. Their granddaughter is feet away. They couldn’t care less. My heart broke for Juliet, not just for today but for the fact that this has happened her whole life. I absolutely had a new appreciation for