Not that anything had changed. Jude had pretty much left the house just the way it had been the last time Sam had been there. He cleaned and of course some maintenance had needed to be done in the last ten years. However, most of the furniture and decorations hadn’t changed.
“What are you doing here?” Jude asked as he closed the door. Not that he was really surprised. Law lived by his own rules. Jude was shocked that Law hadn’t shown up sooner. Years ago.
“Just stopped by to check on you.”
“You live three hours away,” Jude reminded him. “That’s not exactly in the neighborhood.”
“Actually, I moved back to town last year.”
Jude narrowed his eyes. He hadn’t known that. He always checked the voicemails that his buddies left. That was the only way that Jude had any contact with his old lives.
“I didn’t want you to run away. Or stop replying with that one little text message. So I didn’t say anything,” Law told him.
That was fair. “And now?”
“You opened the door, buddy. My size fourteen is just keeping it open.”
“Fine. I’m cooking, so you’ll have to keep me company in the kitchen,” Jude warned.
“Just like old times.” Law followed Jude farther into the house.
That was another reminder from the past. Jude found he wasn’t too upset with Law’s impromptu visit. If Law had shown up a couple weeks ago, Jude would have been pissed. Now, Jude almost welcomed Law’s surprise visit.
“Damn, man! That smells amazing. Pulled pork?”
Jude nodded.
“You only made that for special occasions,” Law pointed out.
Jude went back to the counter where he’d been chopping vegetables for his homemade coleslaw.
“And coleslaw!” Law exclaimed.
Jude picked up the knife. He was unable to express how happy he was to see his old friend.
Law grinned. “So how is your neighbor?”
Maybe not. Maybe he was only half happy to see Law. In response Jude grunted.
“That good, huh?”
“I haven’t seen him,” Jude admitted.
Law shook his head. “By your choice?”
Not really. Jude missed seeing Liam standing out in the early morning sun, drinking from that big mug and giving Jude that lopsided smile.
“Oh,” Law drawled. “This is your way of apologizing. I like it.”
“He’s avoiding me,” Jude complained. Even if it was exactly what Liam had promised to do.
“They do say a way to a man’s heart is through his stomach,” Law told him. “Or his dick. I always get that confused.”
Jude snorted out a laugh.
“It’s good to see you,” Law said.
“You look good,” Jude replied. “Still working out?”
