“No. It’s fine.” It surprised Liam how much he meant the words. “I want to give Jude a few days, but I think that we can still be friends.”
“Friends?” Nicky repeated.
“I really do like him,” Liam said. “Even when he’s grumpy, he was fun. We’re going to live next to each other for a long time. I think it would be better for us to just forget all about today. Go back to where we were before.”
“That’s very mature.” Nicky stuck out his tongue.
“I’m a very mature boy,” Liam quipped.
“Fine. I won’t push.”
“It really is for the best. I could always use another friend,” Liam said.
“As long as I stay your best friend ever!” Nicky told him.
Liam hugged his bestie. “No one could ever replace you.”
“And don’t you forget it.”
* * * * *
Jude
Two days and he hadn’t seen or heard anything from his neighbor.
The same couldn’t be said about his old team. Jude was reconnecting with his friends, leaving him feeling much better than he had in years. More like his old self. Or the new old him. Whatever, Jude had been laughing. Smiling. He was alive. He was finally alive again.
Now Jude was a man on a mission. Liam had kept his promise to stay away. Jude hated it. A nice meal would be the perfect way to get his foot back in the door with Liam. Well, Jude hoped anyway. He’d fucked up but with his friends encouraging him, Jude was determined to make amends with Liam.
Also, cooking calmed Jude. He’d always enjoyed experimenting in the kitchen. Sam had refused to learn how to do more than boil water. Truthfully, Sam would end up burning the pan more often than not, leaving the kitchen Jude’s domain.
It brought a smile to his face as Jude was able to think of Sam without also being filled with guilt. Maybe Law had been right. Jude might need someone to talk to about Sam. To share the memories that he’d long buried. He at least wanted to explain things better to Liam.
Jude wouldn’t blame the boy if Liam wanted to stay far away from him. Didn’t he owe himself to try at least? Wasn’t that the right thing to do? There was only one way to find out.
He continued prepping the side dishes. Jude had been slow-cooking some pulled park inside his grill on the back porch to make sandwiches to take over to Liam. The amazing aroma enticed him, but Jude had snacked on some veggie sticks as he cooked.
His doorbell rang and Jude froze.
Jude wasn’t expecting a delivery, which was the only time when anyone came to his front door. Was it Liam? Excitement rushed through him. Setting down the knife he held, Jude headed quickly to the door.
Checking the peephole, Jude had to blink several times to make sure his eyes weren’t playing a trick on him.
That was not Liam.
The man on his porch rang the doorbell again.
Fuck! Jude unlocked then opened the door.
Lawrence O’Dell grinned at him.
Jude stared back. His friend looked good. At least the years had been kind to Law. He was still tall and appeared strong, with his handsome smile and clear blue eyes. In fact, Law probably looked better than he had the last time that Jude had seen him.
Rocking back on his heels, Law shoved his hands into the pocket of his faded jeans. “Aren’t you going to invite me in?”
He opened the door wider then stepped back, silently inviting Law inside.
Law walked in, making no secret of checking out the place.
