“Did you?” Jude asked, sounding afraid of hearing Ronan’s answer.
“Yeah. It all came spilling out after dance class on Wednesday night. Turns out Everlyhatesher new dance class. The new teacher and some of the students who’d been mean to her. Ten and I have always encouraged her to dance and she felt like she’d be letting us down if she told us she wanted to quit. We told her that wasn’t the case and then let her in on the meeting with Miss Jacobs. She said that no one had been inappropriate with her.” Ronan sighed. “Part of me knew that was the case, but then the other part, the one that suspected you guys, felt fucking awful. For me to have accused you in my mind was something that I felt was unforgivable. Things were already in a bit of an uproar because of the McClellan case and all we were doing was fighting and arguing with each other, so I kept this story to myself. The guilt’s been eating me alive. Can you two ever forgive me?” Ronan felt sick to his stomach. If Jude and Fitz said no, he didn’t know where their friendship would go from there.
“Of course I forgive you. If this happened to Aurora instead of Everly, I would have felt the same way you did. There’s something in us as girl dads that’s completely illogical. We have to protect our girls at all costs from any and all dangers,” Fitz said. “I’m sorry Everly was going through such a hard time, but I’m more sorry that you didn’t come to me and let me know what was happening.
Jude nodded. “Same here. I would have lost my mind if there was a chance someone hurt Lizbet or Wolfie. I forgive you too.” He offered a small grin. “Since we’re all talking again like rational men, I’ve got something of my own to confess.”
As angry as Ronan had been over the last week or so, he’d noticed something was up with Jude. It would be nice to finally get to the bottom of his issue. “Shoot, let’s hear it.”
“It’s about the McClennan interview,” Jude began.
“Fuck me blue, I’ve already apologized for missing the interview.” Ronan took a breath to hold back the anger threatening to surge through him again. “I’m sure it was my fault the appointment wasn’t entered into the calendar at work.”
“Actually, it wasn’t your fault,” Jude said in a voice that was barely audible. “It was mine. I messed something up in the online calendar and when I tried to fix it I thought all of the appointments had been saved, but I guess I was wrong.” Jude wore a sheepish look. “Can you guys forgive me for that?”
“Water under the bridge,” Fitzgibbon assured Jude, who turned to Ronan.
“I’m not sure I can forgive you yet.” Frowning, Ronan walked toward Jude’s tent. One by one, he released the poles from their grommets and the tent slowly deflated before his eyes. “Nowyou’re forgiven.”
5
Jude
Fishin’ in the Dark
An hour later, all three tents were erected. Jude had been magnanimous enough to help Ronan build his, even though he’d been a dickhead deconstructing Jude’s tent. They’d gathered wood for a campfire, put their food and snacks in a second cooler with ice, and had a quiet lunch at the site’s picnic table.
“Why don’t we go fishing?” Jude suggested. “There’s nothing else to do here and I’m not in the mood for Ultimate Naked Frisbee.
“Sounds good to me,” Fitz said, gathering his lunch trash. “Jace bought all the gear; poles, waders, bobbers, and I think there are worms too.”
“Have you ever fished before?” Jude asked. Fitz didn’t seem like the kind of guy who went fishing to relax. In all the years he’d known the man, he’d never gone once.
“Not a day in my life. How about you?” Fitz asked.
“Yeah, Running Eagle taught me how. You know the whole, teach a man to fish and he eats for life, thing?” Jude shrugged and popped open the SUV’s hatch. He started grabbing the gear they would need. “Hey, look, there are waders for all of us.”
“What the hell are waders?” Ronan asked.
“They’re neoprene overalls with boots at the end. Supposed to keep you dry when you wade into a river.” Jude couldn’t imagine the clothing would keep them warm. It was April in New Hampshire. The rivers were bound to be extra cold with snow melt running off the mountains. He wasn’t about to mention that to Ronan or Fitz. He wanted to see the looks on their faces when they walked into thirty-eight degree water.
“Good old Jace thought of everything,” Ronan said. “I’m not touching slimy worms, someone’s going to have to bait my hook.”
“I’ll do it,” Jude offered. “So long as you don’t destroy my tent again.”
“Scout’s honor.” Ronan waggled his eyebrows.
Jude had a feeling he was going to wake up the next morning with the tent collapsed on top of him. Ronan was just that kind of asshole, but Jude had been working on his revenge. He was going to dump the melted ice water from the cooler into a pitcher and pour it over Ronan’s tent in the middle of the night. The water would seep in through the fabric where Ronan’s body or sleeping bag was touching it. He’d wake up soaked. Of course Jude would only put that plan into motion if Ronan pushed him to do it. Ronan was sometimes his own worst enemy. “I’ve got the campground map here.” Jude pulled the folded paper out of his back pocket. River’s about a quarter of a mile that way.” He pointed north.
“Okay, Avengers, let’s suit up.” Fitzgibbon passed out waders to Ronan and Jude.
“Uh, stupid question, do we take our pants off before we put them on?” Ronan asked.
“Duh,” Jude tossed back.
“I’ll put mine on in my tent.” Ronan grabbed his gear and headed off.
“It’s a nude campground, doofus. No one cares if your ass is out in the breeze.” Jude rolled his eyes.
