~Jude’s Point of View~
I felt like I was gliding around, practically floating. What was it about this girl last night? Well first and foremost, she wasn’t a girl. She was a real woman, a female with soft hips and tits, and ass I couldn’t get enough of … and her moans … and fuck the way she responded to me was so genuine. Most women just over exaggerate it all, fake screams and bullshit because they think that’s what I want to hear.
Not this one. Shit I didn’t even get her name! How did I not get her name??
I did leave her my number, surely she’ll call, she’ll text. If it was that great for me, of course it was for her. Hell I’d be willing to stay in Charlotte another night just to have her again, have her in my arms, underneath me. Those pouty lips, those chocolate brown eyes, even her cute little toes. We did have two days off, maybe I could swing it.
What the fuck am I saying?
“Dude hello,” Corey said, waving his hand in front of me.
I abruptly turned my chair to him and got in his face.
“Did you see a woman last night after 1? Kinda tall, damp hair in a pile on her head, burgundy colored little dress,” I said, staring him down.
Surely a woman as hot as her wouldn’t go unnoticed. The guys and I all had a certain type for sure. But on the road, you can’t be picky. What we all had in common lately though, was actually wanting women our own age as opposed to some little girl who didn’t even actually know our music.
“Ohh yeah! Cookie! I remember her,” Trey said, nodding.
“Cookie? That’s her real name,” I said, confused.
No this woman wasn’t some bimbo, not that we spoke that much and yeah I was mildly drunk. But I know a real woman and not some groupie when I see one. A groupie would have been falling out of her dress, fighting to get into my room instead of me fighting to get her in mine.
Shit, wait! Trey knew her? Did he try to get with her??
“No, no it wasn’t uhm, shit! She told me, she brought the food. Her last name was Cook but I called her Cookie cause she looked deee-licious,” Corey said, nodding with a smirk.
I wanted to slap the smug off his face. Corey was more of a whore than me. But if he’d seen her first … that was kind of our rule. Like if you lick something first it’s yours. We have a strict no fucking with someone else’s girl policy, unless we were sharing. Well if he had seen her first, she clearly didn’t stay with him.
“Yeah we tried to get her to hang but she didn’t want to, fucking weird. Must have a boyfriend,” Trey said.
I scoffed. If she has a boyfriend then clearly he sucks in bed. But no, I doubt it, she certainly didn’t act like a woman who gets satisfied on a regular basis. She was starved for me and fuck, even though I’d gotten head earlier in the night she was definitely so much better. So much … more. She smelled clean and like honeydew or something. I couldn’t wait to get back to my room.
I stared through the glass as my drummer finished his part of the interview and I felt twitchy, desperate to leave. I hadn’t felt high like this since I got off drugs about eight years ago. Yeah I might still drink but I used to be hooked on pills and coked out of my mind half the time. This was a totally different high, the perfect pussy kind of high.
“So she brought the food, from where,” I asked.
“Oh! Uhm she wanted me to leave a review,” Corey said, getting out his phone.
A minute later he held up his I*******m page, and it showed “Cross Roads,” a restaurant nearby.
I snatched his phone and examined it, there were many pictures of the owners, they looked like a happily married couple. The woman wasn’t my woman though, not this Cookie. I had watched her sleeping a bit this morning before I left, she was an angel, messy hair and all. She didn’t even snore in her sleep like my last girlfriend.
“So you really don’t remember her first name,” I asked, as I scanned through the photos.
“Naw bro, I was drunk. But maybe it’s on the receipt or you could call there and ask. Why, did you talk to her,” Corey said.
“Did a hell of a lot more than talk to her, really hoping she’ll still be in my bed if we can wrap this shit up. I think I’m gonna marry her,” I said, half serious.
I could be serious. I’d literally never felt like this. I only had her once and I already craved her.
Trey clapped and I flipped him off.
“Ohh! Nice man, fucking jealous. She wasn’t some fangirl. She was the real deal, that's why I didn’t push her about staying,” Corey said.
“Waaaait bro, you spent the night with her and didn’t get her name,” Trey asked, just fueling my desire to leave. I waved him off. Like he ever got women’s names.
Being on the road as long as we have, meeting the insane amount of people that we do, we’re all practically experts at reading people. We can pretty quickly figure them out, determine who they are, what they want. Everyone always wants something.
This woman clearly knew who I was, she called out my name, all night. What an asshole I am that I didn’t even get her name!
“Oh fuck this tell them I got sick or something,” I snapped, getting up and storming out.
I was about a four block walk from my hotel so I didn’t bother with a cab but I was nervous about being seen and having people stop me. On my way out I had grabbed the hat off my manager’s head much to his annoyance and kept going.
My whole band, including Slade my manager … have all been tight forever. Corey, Lukas and I grew up together and were absolutely thick as thieves. We were kind of lost boys growing up, didn’t have the family we should have had to look out for us. Trey and Slade came from good families, the good side of town. We were from a nothing town outside Portland, Oregon and rarely went back anymore.
Thankfully, maybe because it was still early on a Sunday morning, nobody bothered me on my brisk walk back. I could hardly get the door open fast enough and I stormed in … to an empty bed. My neck jerked toward the bathroom and I stomped in there … empty.
Fuck!
It really didn’t dawn on me that she’d leave. But I should have known, she wasn’t some whore or groupie out to get more for herself. I had one girl a few months back give me her credit card bill and beg me to pay it and she’d be my sex slave. It was over $39k. I did sometimes leave cash but I’d never drop that kind of money on someone I didn’t even know.
I ran to the bedside table, hoping for a note. Mine was on the floor and the cash was still on the table. Shit! Shit! Why did I leave her money? She’s probably offended. It’s just a habit, I always assume that’s what the females want, they always do. But I knew better, I knew she wasn’t like that.
I collapsed on the bed and cussed myself out. How could I be so stupid? I shouldn't have even left, I should have blown the thing off this morning.
I pulled out my phone and looked up the pizza place, they didn’t open for another hour. Maybe I should just go there, but that might cause a scene.
I grabbed her pillow and inhaled it like a weirdo, whatever shampoo she uses is amazing. It’s so feminine and crisp. I fell back remembering her taste, her softness. She seemed like someone you could have a good time with, a real date that you’d actually enjoy instead of counting the minutes for it to be over.
Nearly 34, I was just getting too old for these one nighters. The tour would be over soon, we’d take some time off, and head back to the studio in a few months. The cycle of our lives. I’d go back to my empty place that would only fill when I had parties.
Our music used to be so damn powerful, so raw. Lately the studio has been trying to interfere, get us to go in the direction they want. Trendy shit. I felt like I was losing control professionally, so in my personal life I needed to get it together. I needed Cookie.
I watched TV and ordered room service until the restaurant opened. I was beside myself with anticipation waiting. Maybe this woman wanted me to leave her alone, I wasn’t sure. But I don’t give up that easily. I’d also found her red lace panties under the pants I’d had on last night. Fuck they smelled good, that just got me even more riled up.
RING RING RING
“Cross Roads,” a male voice said.
“Yeah I’m looking for Miss Cook, she delivered to my hotel late last night,” I said.
“Miss Cook? I don’t who that is, but we don’t let women deliver the late orders, hang on,” the voice said, obviously a young guy.
“Wasn’t Jada on deliveries last night,” I heard him ask someone.
Jada.
She could certainly be a Jada, yeah I could see that. Jada Cook.
“I think that was Jada, the owner, was there a problem,” he asked.
“No, just uhm, she left something here I think she’ll want back. Can I get her number or can you give her mine,” I said, a smirk on my face.
“Jada’s at the hospital bro, she had her baby last night. If you have something for her just drop it off I’ll get it to her husband,” he said, hanging up.
I gaped at my phone.
Had a … baby?
What?
Husband??
No, no no no. There was absolutely no chance in hell my Cookie was pregnant enough to have a baby.
A baby?? What the hell?
~Juliet’s Point of View~ ~One Week Later~ “This is literally the worst idea I’ve ever had. Bunch of bull,” I fussed, as I struggled to move on the elliptical. “You said you wanted to exercise,” Jakob said, laughing. He was a freak about fitness, Jada was indifferent and me … I didn’t do sweat. They had a small gym in their mini mansion of a house and I rarely went in. Since we were all always together, and especially since Jada got pregnant we just decided it was best to beef up the guest/pool house than to have me live on my own. I paid the electric and water bills but that was all they would let me contribute. It was still a chunk of change in a house this size and with having a pool, but in Charlotte I’d probably drop $1,700 a month for a decent one bedroom apartment. Why bother having my own place when I basically live at the restaurant? I half lived in their house most of the time too, I even passed out on their couch sometimes. Even though we all bicker, we do enjoy each
~Jude’s Point of View~ “And it’s been three days and she hasn’t called,” Corey said, in shock. “Dude you have never tried this hard to find a chick. What was so special about her? How did I miss her,” Slade said, throwing up his hands. Slade rarely partied a lot with us anymore after shows. He had a couple other businesses he was into and getting with random chicks wasn’t high on his list anymore. Suddenly it wasn’t on mine either. I hadn’t touched another woman since my Cookie. I just couldn’t. Not for lack of women trying, they were always trying. They didn't have her smile, her shiny and soft hair, her body. That fucking body of hers... “I’m calling again,” I said, getting up from the kitchen area of the tour bus and going back to my room. I shut the door, kicked off my boots and got in bed. Sometimes we rotated who got the main bedroom on a bus, sometimes the guys didn't care. I cared, I liked my space and being crammed in a bunk sucks. RING RING RING “Cross Roads,” a fem
~Juliet’s Point of View~ “Harder! Really punch it,” Dante shouted, as he danced around. He got me into kickboxing and I had to admit, it was empowering and hot as hell. Learning some self-defense, burning calories and an excuse to touch a hot as sin guy I’ve been drooling for months? Check, check, check. All boxes are full! I really thought I could never fantasize about someone after Jude, I mean who could possibly compare. Dante Dixon, that’s fucking who. This guy was exactly who I would always lust over but never have a chance in hell with actually dating. He’d let his hair grow out this past month and just shaved it a bit underneath like Jude does. Now he had a messy carmel colored shaggy mess and when he sweats … oh fuck its hot. Illegal. “I want to ask you something, for real … for real on the real,” I said, taking off my gloves. He laughed, flashing his perfect white smile. For weeks now he’d become a good friend, someone I confided in about all my fat girl issues. Okay my
~Juliet’s Point of View~“I feel like a whore,” I said, as Taylor finished my make-up. I looked down at this skimpy as hell dress and couldn’t believe it even fit me.“You need some whoring in your life,” he said, nodding.He wasn't wrong, so no arguments there. I spent my early years in a long term relationship and missed out on the whoring college experience. Not that I’m complaining, Marcus and I fucked like rabbits and it was great but Jude was literally only the sixth man I’d slept with and at 29 that seemed pathetic.“So the trainer huh,? You better not turn him down if the mood is right,” he said, slapping my bare knee.He went back to applying some eye shadow and I groaned. I told him it was a fake date but he insisted I make the most of it, do whatever I could to sneak in a kiss or some type of action.“Why would I try so hard to get something from someone who’s not interested when I can have a sure thing with the legend himself in just a short week’s time,” I said, making a c
~Juliet’s Point of View~After a lot of back and forth and trying to calm my vagina down, we settled on a cute little bistro with outside seating where we could people watch. Turns out Dante was damn good at reading people and actually crazy funny. By the end of the night I was practically mesmerized with his eyes, his smile and his laugh.While we had gotten some looks, especially from women, it wasn’t as bad as I thought. At one point some chick a few tables over was making eyes at my date so he leaned in and kissed my cheek in a very sensual way. If there was any doubt I was his date she was getting the message now.He never made me feel less than, he never made me feel awkward or like he didn’t want to be out with me. I actually ordered a full meal and ate most of it, not just picking at salad like most women around us were doing. My appetite had increased since I started working out but since I wasn't cutting out what I wanted I was working on portion sizes. Was I seriously in lo
~Jude’s Point of View~ I don’t know why the hell I let Trey talk me into the strip club, except that it’s Saturday night and I’ve never sat at home alone most nights, let alone on the weekend. Some girl that looked half my age was jiggling her very fake glitter covered tits in my face. She was pretty but not what I’d call beautiful. My cock couldn’t even be bothered, he didn’t stir a bit. I had to admit the inevitable, Juliet had ruined me. Seven amazing fucking hours was all I had with her, but it’s totally changed my life. There’s so much I want to say to her, but I need to do it in person. I need more from her, but how can I get it? She probably thinks I’m a womanizing asshole … and okay maybe I have been. People change, I’ve certainly changed many things about my life. But I’m not being a monk for fuck’s sake, if I don’t get laid soon I’m seriously going to blow. I stuffed a $100 bill in the stripper’s g-string and took a long pull of my beer, waving her off. “Dude, she’d t
~Juliet’s Point of View~ Am I really just sitting here and casually talking to Jude Stone on the phone in the middle of the night? Seems that way. He was actually really easy to talk to, and fuck how could I not want to hear that gruff and sexy voice? It just did things to me, and I found my hands roaming my body the entire conversation. I had to imagine he was doing the same. “I didn’t get in shape to please anyone else but I think being with you gave me the confidence to feel like dating again. I haven’t in so long I’m too busy with work. I felt … empowered with you and I do like being curvy and softer. I certainly don’t want to be a toothpick but I wanted to chase more of the confidence feeling that you planted I guess,” I said, completely blushing. He made some kind of low grunt and for a moment I thought he dropped the phone but he cleared his throat and acted like he was trying to recover. “How old are you? Am I allowed to ask,” he said, almost like he wasn’t sure I’d answer.
~Juliet’s Point of View~There’s nothing more official than an ultrasound picture, I thought as I stared at it. Right now it’s just a blurb, with a heartbeat.A heartbeat.I still just could not even wrap my head around the fact that there was a baby in my gut, I didn’t feel it, feel any different. But now that I did know, that I’d seen it … it was real. Really real.My mind told me I needed to immediately do a thousand things. Find my own place, make a nursery, start a college fund. Oh fucking hell, a college fund.To top it all off I was due to see Dante in a few hours and the idea of prancing around in front of him carrying another man’s baby was the biggest kick in the crotch I could imagine. My first reaction was to absolutely cancel but he’d take it personally, no matter what excuse I gave. He didn’t know I’d been with Jude, didn’t know anything about it. He knew I’d had a couple bad Tinder dates, I never elaborated if any of them ended in sex. But he’d take that personally too