Author's note: Here again, I wanted a story that focused more on Jude—a story where Tommy would have to fight for her once he realized she wasn't the fifteen year old girl who would crush on him for the rest of her life. That said, here's a story about a stronger Jude—a successful Jude that takes place only six months after the season finale. Will Tommy be able to win her back when he returns from Montana and finds her with someone else? After leaving her so cruelly, can he really blame her? Please R&R. Smiles.
His name was Chris. He was a twenty-year-old radio VJ and songwriter from California who had been asked to do a personal interview with Canada's new number one artist. He was the stuff dreams were made out of—tall, bronze, and hair that had been naturally bleached from the sun by days of hanging ten in the California surf—even a small stud earring in his ear. He was also my new boyfriend and had been for two months now. He had shown up in Toronto a month or so after Tommy had disappeared, and he had given me so much to look forward to again—had interviewed me and in the process learned ways to pull me out of the protective shell I had hidden away in to protect my wounded heart. He persisted by asking me for my phone number and I persisted by telling him no only to have him send me a dozen long stemmed red roses with a card proclaiming that he would die a gruesome death of futility if I didn't go out on a date with him. I finally relented laughingly and since then have been dating him on and off for five months as he traveled back and forth from California—collaborating on songs for my fourth album. Six months had passed since Tommy left. He had phoned to explain what had happened to Darius—giving a play by play of a family dilemma that had to be resolved before his return. I thought that we were over—not that anything had ever begun between us anyway—even if my heart ruled that that was not so. I thought that I was over him. And then he came back.
"You look lost in thought. Mind if I join you on whatever planet you've traveled to lately?" Chris asked me suddenly from the doorway of studio 1. I looked up quickly—not expecting to see him there leaning casually against the doorframe, his muscled arms straining against the fabric of a black T-shirt. His earring flashed as he moved and I almost sighed. Chris Durmont—my life for five months. There weren't words for me to describe the thoughts in my head to him right now. I had just discovered Tommy was coming home, and I hadn't quite processed how I felt about that. Smiling over at Chris, I sat down my guitar and moved into his comforting embrace—allowing the heat from his skin to seep into my suddenly cold bones. He was tall, and I had to look up into his eyes before grinning at him sheepishly.
"I didn't know you were flying in this weekend." I stated evenly before brushing away a piece of fuzz off the shoulder of his shirt. His hand rubbed my back soothingly as he quirked a brow at me in amusement.
"I generally like catching you off guard although I've been trying to fly in more often. I have a week off this time. I couldn't think of a better way I'd rather spend it." Chris remarked stoically as I smiled before rubbing a hand up along his cheek.
"I'm glad you came." I finally whispered as he leaned down to kiss me gently along the lips. I pressed against him—shoving my worries to the back of my head as he finally pulled away from me. I looked over at the door suddenly to see his suitcase leaned against it.
"You'll stay at the apartment, of course." I stated matter-of-factly as Chris chuckled.
"Never let it be said I don't like my women without sass and commanding attitude." He replied on a laugh as I just winked up at him. Chris was special. He had helped heal me. And he wasn't like my previous relationships. It wasn't just because I was in my own apartment now—living just down the hall from Sadie. No, he was older, an established professional, and he made me feel older too—as if age were nothing but a number. Thoughts of Tom bombarded me again, and I shoved at them persistently. Darius had informed me that we would be working together again—that he was coming back as my producer. I wasn't sure how I felt about that yet. I wasn't sure I had much choice. Chris's hands played softly with my hair as I looked up at him again sheepishly. I needed to let him be what he was—my anchor. I needed an anchor right now. A noise behind us made me look over Chris's shoulder. Speaking of the living devil himself.
"I wasn't sure you'd be in the studio, Jude, but Darius wanted to make sure I found you to set up a schedule for your newest album." Tommy said suddenly from the same doorway that Chris had just entered through—standing in the same carefree position. The similarities almost made me shiver. Chris stepped away from me slowly before turning to face the door with a small smile. It was enough to make your heart melt. Both men were heart wrenchingly beautiful. Strange how Tommy glanced at me now. I wondered if he was thinking the same thing I was. There were two men in my life now—not just boys—men, and I happened to be involved with one of them. I smiled tightly at Tom.
"Darius told me you were coming. I was waiting before going back to my apartment. I'm glad you're back, Tom." I stated evenly—leaving my face void of all emotion, my voice even and somewhat indifferent. I couldn't let either of them see how much his presence affected me. I loved Chris. Right? I shook my head as I realized the two men were peering expectantly at each other.
"Oh, right. Tom, this is my boyfriend and current co-songwriter on part of my album, Chris Durmont. He is also a radio VJ in Southern California. Chris, this is my producer, Tom Quincy." I introduced smoothly—trying to keep myself from blushing as Tom's eyes narrowed—probably wondering what kind of relationship Chris and I had. I couldn't deal with that right now so I pulled myself out of the embrace Chris still sort of had me in before walking over to my guitar case and grabbing a set of keys.
"I forgot to give you this the last time you were here." I told Chris as I edged back over to him—trying to do this without choking. Chris and I had already talked about this move—had really discussed what it meant to move to this next level in our relationship. I was not going to let Tommy being here destroy that. Handing Chris a spare key to my apartment, I watched him smile down at me fondly. We had both been wary about him staying with me whenever he was in Toronto, but I had finally convinced myself I was over Tom enough to let him in. Then Tom had come back.
"There's plenty in the fridge, and you can just put your stuff in my room. I'll be there in a couple of hours. Although if I know you, you'll use that to check out the local VJ competition anyway." I said on a grin as Chris winked at me before taking the key. Leaning over, he kissed me gently on the forehead before walking over to the door where Tom moved to let him pass.
"I'll see you in a few then, Sassy." Chris stated with a small smile as I laughed at the now familiar nickname. The door closed behind him, and I found myself suddenly alone with my present nemesis.
"Well…." Tommy said softly.