Law pressed his lips together. “Thanks. I thought we were building something.”
He took a long drink of his lemonade. “Turns out I was wrong. He was only looking for a part-time Daddy. Someone to have fun with. I’m ready to settle down. I want someone thatI can spend the rest of my life with. We were just at different phases in our lives.”
Jude understood that more than he could say. His and Sam’s biggest fights had been because Sam still wanted to party and go to clubs. Not that Sam wanted to be with other people, but that he wasn’t ready to settle down completely. While Jude had been planning their future, what they would do later in life, Sam had been all about enjoying his life. Not worrying about where they would end up. That was Jude’s job. Had always been Jude’s job. “That sucks, man.”
“Yeah, well, maybe your boy can introduce me to someone more our age and in the lifestyle,” Law replied hopefully.
“I don’t have a boy,” Jude reminded him.
“Uh-huh. How long until the food is ready? I’m starving.”
Jude shoved a carrot in Law’s mouth before stomping to the back door. Had he thought that he’d missed his friend? Maybe Jude had spent too much time in the sun. That could be the only reason that Jude had thought for any length of time that Law wouldn’t be the same stubborn asshole of a friend. Damn, Jude really had missed him.
Law laughed as he munched on the carrot and followed Jude out to the back deck.
It was like the last ten years hadn’t happened. That they hadn’t missed so much time together. Law was just Law. Jude’s closest friend. Fuck! Jude had missed Law. Missed all the guys.
Chapter Ten
Liam
This was so dumb.
Liam had promised to give Jude space. It had literally been three days. Three days and Liam was back to watching his neighbor as Jude indulged in his morning ritual.
Not that Liam was blaming himself. No, this was Jude’s fault. Totally Jude’s fault. For the first time since Liam had moved in, Jude had a visitor. The guy, a very attractive man with rich red hair and a very nice body, had been over at Jude’s for most of the afternoon and into the early evening.
At first Liam had nearly died with how yummy the scents coming from Jude’s smoker on the back deck. He’d even been trying to think of an excuse to go over and hopefully get himself an invitation to dinner. The food had smelled that good! Then Jude’s visitor had arrived and Liam lost his nerve.
One thing Liam knew for certain. Sound did travel through open windows.
Liam might have opened his kitchen window that morning for fresh air…okay to smell whatever Jude had been cooking, but he definitely could hear the murmur of voices. Not clearly but enough to know that Jude hadn’t been upset by his guest.
Jude had friends.
That should have made Liam happy. He’d been concerned that Jude seemed so alone all the time.
Instead, Liam found himself fighting a nasty case of jealousy.
Now Liam was seriously considering breaking his promise and going outside.
It just wasn’t fair! Liam wanted to be Jude’s friend too. Just because there had been a spark of a connection between them shouldn’t mean that Liam had to give up Jude completely.
Screw it! Liam was going to do it. Picking up his coffee mug from where he’d set it on the table on his back deck, Liam marched to the gate. Instead of waiting in the spot that had become his morning place, he strolled close to the water. He spotted Jude’s towel and decided that was even better. Jude couldn’t ignore him if Liam was literally sitting on his towel.
They were going to be friends! Liam was determined.
He wasn’t asking for anything more.
Jude had already shown that he wasn’t as big of an asshole as Liam had first thought. Actually, Jude was quite the opposite. He was caring and kind. They might have pushed the boundaries too far too fast but that didn’t have to ruin everything.
They were adults, after all. Well, mostly anyway. Liam could be an adult about this.
Sipping on his coffee, Liam watched as Jude turned and began to swim back in the direction of the beach. Wouldn’t he be surprised when he spotted Liam. Liam giggled. This was such a great idea!
By the time Jude stood in the ocean with the water lapping at his knees, Liam had finished his morning brew. He set his mug aside. It was ceramic and the sand would wash off.
Jude walked in his direction with long strides then faltered when he finally lifted his head, spotting Liam waiting on him.
