Dante is the best! Is Juliet ready to face her future with Jude now?
~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
~Juliet’s Point of View~ Jude was certainly right about the paps doing whatever they could to weasel into our world. They posed as customers at Cross Roads every day, grilling the staff and whoever else for information. There was a clause in the NDA’s that if anyone sold information on Jude or I that we could sue them for three times whatever they were paid. Clearly trying to snag a couple hundred dollars would hardly be worth it to anyone, not to mention losing a good job. I was pleased to find that the employees toyed with the paps, but that was it. Jude came in one night to eat with me and that was quite a scene but it gave the vultures what they wanted. Jada, Jakob and Janelle even joined us, posing for a few photos. We’d had to bring his security guard and it would take some getting used to that we had a shadow. Taylor wasn’t thrilled about getting more responsibility and giving up the “fun stuff” but I told him if it got to be too much I’d either come back more or we’d get a
~Juliet’s Point of View~ “I think we should let him in,” I said, rushing back to the kitchen. They both still just eyeballed me casually, not even phased. “Is he hot,” Jada asked, raising her eyebrow. “I obviously don’t know him personally, Jada,” I snapped. How could she not be concerned at this point?? Every single hair on my body was at attention and there was a rotten feeling in my gut. My phone rang again, again I silenced it. I put my hands on my hips as I saw something move in the backyard out of the corner of my eye. A figure. Someone’s fucking out there! No chance the biker got back there this fast since he parked on the street. “Get the fuck upstairs,” Jake shouted, throwing his bowl in the sink and smashing it. We all ran and I fumbled to call Slade back as my feet pounded the steps. Suddenly the sound of glass breaking and shattering, then the alarm going off broke out into the air. "Juliet!! I know you're in there," I heard, as my heart thundered in my ears.
~Jude’s Point of View~ Jada and Jakob agreed it was best to close their shop for a few days, the publicity was just too much and while I offered to help cover the employee’s salaries for those days they declined. Slade had the Outlaws making rounds past Cross Roads over night, just to make sure no one did anything stupid. Slade always surprised me with the people he knew, but it shouldn't be too shocking anymore. Nobody could get along with literally everybody, but somehow Slade did. I absolutely hated this shit for Juliet’s family but it was just going to be something that had to run its course. Juliet wanted to continue with our plans to go out of town, which I had mixed feelings about doing. I wanted her to have the distraction, but the optics of us going out to enjoy our good lives may not be best. Really though, it wasn’t like she asked for this, and it wasn’t like the asshole didn’t deserve it. There was no way of knowing what he might have done. Clearly he didn’t have good in
~Juliet’s Point of View~ Slade had a freakin' unbelievable house, very California, something you would see on MTV Cribs. He had a sound system that seemed to play all over the place at a low volume and I hummed along to Prince's "1999" as we walked outside to a massive patio with a huge table all set up with food. I didn’t have a clue what was going on, but it seemed like nobody else did either. I was just heavily enjoying it all. Slade had a massive spread with everything you could want, and a chef in the kitchen constantly bringing out more. Fuck I would need a trainer again if I kept this up … but for tonight I’ll allow it. “Explain,” Slade said, tapping on the table and staring down Trey. Trey looked like he’d seen a ghost. He ran his hands through his hair and sighed. I was just grateful the focus was on someone else. I knew we’d have to bring up all my shit at some point but I welcomed the distraction. “About … shit, I don't know … eight years ago now I uhm, met this chick a
~Jude’s Point of View~ Jada and Jakob agreed it was best to close their shop for a few days, the publicity was just too much and while I offered to help cover the employee’s salaries for those days they declined. Slade had the Outlaws making rounds past Cross Roads over night, just to make sure no one did anything stupid. Slade always surprised me with the people he knew, but it shouldn't be too shocking anymore. Nobody could get along with literally everybody, but somehow Slade did. I absolutely hated this shit for Juliet’s family but it was just going to be something that had to run its course. Juliet wanted to continue with our plans to go out of town, which I had mixed feelings about doing. I wanted her to have the distraction, but the optics of us going out to enjoy our good lives may not be best. Really though, it wasn’t like she asked for this, and it wasn’t like the asshole didn’t deserve it. There was no way of knowing what he might have done. Clearly he didn’t have good in
~Juliet’s Point of View~ “I think we should let him in,” I said, rushing back to the kitchen. They both still just eyeballed me casually, not even phased. “Is he hot,” Jada asked, raising her eyebrow. “I obviously don’t know him personally, Jada,” I snapped. How could she not be concerned at this point?? Every single hair on my body was at attention and there was a rotten feeling in my gut. My phone rang again, again I silenced it. I put my hands on my hips as I saw something move in the backyard out of the corner of my eye. A figure. Someone’s fucking out there! No chance the biker got back there this fast since he parked on the street. “Get the fuck upstairs,” Jake shouted, throwing his bowl in the sink and smashing it. We all ran and I fumbled to call Slade back as my feet pounded the steps. Suddenly the sound of glass breaking and shattering, then the alarm going off broke out into the air. "Juliet!! I know you're in there," I heard, as my heart thundered in my ears.
~Juliet’s Point of View~ Jude was certainly right about the paps doing whatever they could to weasel into our world. They posed as customers at Cross Roads every day, grilling the staff and whoever else for information. There was a clause in the NDA’s that if anyone sold information on Jude or I that we could sue them for three times whatever they were paid. Clearly trying to snag a couple hundred dollars would hardly be worth it to anyone, not to mention losing a good job. I was pleased to find that the employees toyed with the paps, but that was it. Jude came in one night to eat with me and that was quite a scene but it gave the vultures what they wanted. Jada, Jakob and Janelle even joined us, posing for a few photos. We’d had to bring his security guard and it would take some getting used to that we had a shadow. Taylor wasn’t thrilled about getting more responsibility and giving up the “fun stuff” but I told him if it got to be too much I’d either come back more or we’d get a
~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
~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
~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~ 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
~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