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Chapter 34

After Jude's interesting run-in, Sadie found her so they could head home early to start getting ready. Jude could hardly believe it was actually her birthday. She prayed this night would go as planned.

"So, what's Tommy got planned for tonight?" Sadie asked as she was painting her toenails.

"I'm not sure. He actually hasn't said anything."

"Oh. Keeping secrets. He must have something big planned."

"I don't know, but he's been acting strange this past week."

"Strange how?"

"Well, last week I noticed there were clothes missing out of his closet. Then last night when I got there he was boxing stuff up out of the same closet."

"Did he give you an explanation?"

"Said he was boxing stuff up for charity because he had so much. The weird thing was he looked like he had gotten caught at something."

"Tommy's weird, Jude, maybe you just startled him."

"Maybe."

"So where this necklace?"

Jude pulled the red velvet box from her bag. "Here." She handed Sadie the box.

"Oh my, Jude. It's gorgeous. It must have cost a fortune."

"It was his grandmothers."

"Wow."

"Yeah. And I can't wait for you to hear the song he wrote for me. I'm singing it tonight. Anyway what are you and Kwest doing after the party?"

"He got us a room incase we drink too much."

"Sure. Incase you drink too much." Jude was enjoying the afternoon with her sister. She spent so much time with Tommy lately; she and Sadie didn't get much time together. She remembered the morning after that dreadful night she and Tommy left the house so they didn't have to listen to Kwest and Sadie.

Jude buried her face in the pillow when she heard Tommy's alarm go off. "Make it shut up." She didn't want to get up.

"Come on, girl. I've gotta meet Kwest early this morning. I'll drop you off at home."

"You think Kwest will be up?"

"He better be."

When he dropped her off at home Sadie was in the kitchen eating breakfast. "Hey Jude!" She sang in an upbeat tone.

"Why are you co chipper? Never mind, I already know." She said making a cup of coffee.

"Why did you and Tommy go to his place?"

Jude stared at her like she was crazy. "Like you don't know."

"Oh. Sorry."

"Don't worry Sadie. Let's just say it made for an uncomfortable position for us. So we went to sleep at his place."

"So you still haven't…"

Nope. It's like every time it could happen, he pulls back and goes to take a shower."

"Maybe you should speak up."

"Say what? Hey Tommy have sex with me? Sadie, that's not me."

"I have an idea."

Before Jude ever knew what was happening, they were in Sadie's car. "Where are we going?"

"We're going shopping dear sister. Seems you need a lesson in seduction."

"Sades, no. It'll happen when it happens."

"Jude, are you ready for the next step?"

"I believe so."

"Then you need to show Tommy. He loves you, and he doesn't want to do anything until he knows your ready. Wow, am I really talking about Little Tommy Q?"

"Sadie this is unnecessary."

Sadie wouldn't listen to her. At the lingerie store, Jude was embarrassed. She was afraid someone would see her. It was one thing to be shopping for everyday underwear, but sexy and lacy nighties would lead to scandal.

"Jude, look at these."

"Sadie, what if someone sees me?"

"That's why we are here this early. Look around."

They were there longer than she wanted to be, and didn't leave empty handed. Sadie had picked her out a pink a little pink see through piece. When they got home, Jude stuffed it in the back of her closet. She didn't think she could pull the seduction off.

"So, when are you going to do it?" Sadie startled her.

"Sadie, damn you scared me."

"Jude, are you scared? Because if you are then you're not ready." Sadie said sitting on her bed.

"Tommy's been with so many girls."

"He's waited this long for you. I don't think you have to worry about that."

They'd spent most of the day together just talking girl talk.

"Guess what was still in the back of my closet." Jude said as they were getting their things together to go to the hotel.

"What?"

Jude held up the pink nightie.

"You've never worn that yet?"

"Didn't need to. That next night was when we almost. Then he went to Montreal."

"You should take that with you then. You might not have to seduce him anymore, but I'm sure he'd still enjoy that."

"Come let's go. We have to get our hair done." Jude had let her bad feeling go hoping it was going to be an amazing night.

Tommy needed to get home. He had to find a suit and finish getting everything ready for after her party. He never felt like anything was going to go wrong. He actually had a good feeling about the party.

Walking out the back door, he saw someone he thought he'd never see again. It was Angie's brother, Hunter.

"Tom Quincy, it's been awhile."

"Hey man. Yeah five years." This was something Tommy never saw coming. "If there's anything you need…"

"There is one thing I need; to bring you down."

"Look."

"I lost everything I love, and everyone. I learned something in prison. Revenge is the best revenge." He started walking away. "Oh that girlfriend of yours is cute. Young, but cute. She invited me to her party." And he was gone.

Tommy didn't know what to do. He basically threatened Jude. He needed to protect her. Hunter blamed Tommy for Angie's death. He knew he was serious about hurting anyone Tommy cared about.

He couldn't call off the party. It was supposed to be the first night of the rest of their lives together. Maybe if he stayed away from the party, Hunter would think he'd mistaken that Jude was his girlfriend and wouldn't do anything. He didn't want to ruin Jude's birthday. They'd waited for this day for so long, but he had to make sure Jude was safe.

On his way home he started making phone calls. "Hey D, what's security look like for tonight?"

"The place is pretty secure. What's going on?"

"A complication. Look I need you to make sure there are plenty of guards."

"T, you need to tell me why."

"Hunter's out of prison. He was at G Major."

"I'll call in a few favors. You're girl will be safe." He didn't have to give Darius details because he knew he'd understand.

He called Kwest next. "Kwest I need a favor."

"What's up?"

"I need you to keep a close eye on Jude tonight."

"Can't you? What's going on?"

"I won't be there. Something has come up and I need to stay away. It's her party, and I won't keep her from it."

"Man, she is going to be livid. You better have a good damn reason, or I'll kick your ass myself."

"Someone paid me a little visit at G Major today."

"That doesn't sound like a good reason. You better be giving me the whole story now."

"Hunter is out of prison. He's got one agenda and one agenda only."

"Have you told Darius?"

"He's getting extra security. Jude felt like something was going to go wrong. I just never dreamed it would be this."

"What did he say exactly?"

"That he was taking me down. He wants me to loose everything like he did. Then he said something about Jude and that she invited him to the party. That is why I am not going. Maybe without me there, he won't do anything. I have to figure out a way to get rid of him."

"What are you going to tell Jude?"

"I'll come up with something. Will you please watch after her? And keep Sadie close too."

"Of course."

Walking into his apartment, his heart broke. How was he going to tell her he wouldn't be at the party? How was he going to ruin her big night? Better yet how was he going to get rid of Hunter?

Okay DON"T kill me.

How will Jude take Tommy not being at her party? Will Tommy still get a chance to purpose?

I'm a bit sad here because I have realized there are probably no more than 3 chapters left. But the good news is the will be a sequel. Keep the review coming! I love to know what everyone thinks.