Author's Note: Oh come on! You guys didn't think I was done yet, did you? (grin). Oh and loveisepic, can I have the Tommy lathered in whip ceam now? Oh, I love you guys! Smiles and hugs.
Tom raised a brow up at me as he looked around the group quietly. Something told me I had more that piqued his ire—had ultimately goaded him into the point of no return. I mean, had I actually just basically called him a coward for running in fear away from love? Oh, that had to be a mistake! I almost laughed as I flashbacked over the past couple of days. I sure as hell didn't need him to throw me into another cold shower. Tom tapped his chin lightly and I almost cringed. I knew that was his way of calling a person's bluff.
"Well, my little donna bellas, methinks it is high time that I had you put on your thinking caps. Let's play a little word association game shall we? I'll say a word and you tell me the first thing that comes to your mind." Tommy remarked as his stare continued to hold mine resolutely--challengingly. That did it. There was no longer anyone at this table with us. It was just him and I at a stand still—arguing the argument that should have transpired days ago. I could hear—barely—everyone else at the table as one of the girls swore. It was clear this wasn't a simple game anymore. It was war between two people. Alexia cursed as she hit the table with her palm.
"Are you really looking for answers from all of us or just her." Lexi asked as she motioned in my general direction as Tommy and I both stood up slowly—facing off across the table without even realizing what we were doing--ignoring those around us as we did. I could hear—distantly—the sound of Mason's voice as he tried calling my name.
"Um….Jude." He began as I held up a hand in a gesture that said 'just shut up, Fox.' Ohhhhhh, Tom was going to get it now. Did he think I was illiterate?
"Go Tom! Throw it at me." I mumbled fiercely as Matthew snickered in the background.
"Oh just let 'em go at it. This ought to be highly entertaining." Matthew stated excitedly as Tom cocked his head to one side. Let the friggin' games begin. I had him beat already. Oh God, what were we doing?
"Love?" Tommy asked quietly--throwing the first word term at me as I faced off with him stoically—placing my palms on the table as I answered.
"Deception." I replied in response as he narrowed his eyes.
"Car?" He asked this time as I grinned.
"Fading taillights." I replied without hesitation.
"Absence?" He asked as I shook my head. Did he have to ask? I mean, really.
"Betrayal." I answered honestly as he leaned forward to place his palms on each side of mine. I could feel everyone's stares, but, at this point, they didn't matter.
"Pictures?" He reiterated as I tried not to growl. Those again?
"A mistake." I countered as Tommy shook his own head.
"Music?" He asked as I laughed softly. Music is what it had always been for me.
"An escape." I stated simply. Tom nodded. Obviously, he agreed. Glad to know that. Really.
"Loneliness?" Tom asked as I narrowed my eyes. Oh no, he didn't!
"Selfishness." I answered as I heard someone snort. That was when I realized, quite remarkably, that the two of us had started circling the table—peering over everyone's heads as we moved—him in an attempt to advance on me, and myself in an attempt to avoid contact. Tom took a quick step forward.
"Anger?" He asked determinedly as I smiled a knowing half smile.
"Tom Quincy." I answered suddenly without even realizing the slip. Everyone else did because there were sudden murmurs. So, that had been the first thing to slip into my mind (said with a shrug). Wasn't that the point of the game? Tom grimaced.
"The devil?" He asked again as I shrugged again.
"Tom Quincy." I replied easily as he took another step forward. I circled around the table. He stopped.
"Hell?" He asked pointedly as I took a deep, unsteady breath.
"Tom Quincy." I reiterated as I stood rooted suddenly to the ground as he moved forward again. He was getting under my skin.
"Lies?" He asked quickly as I moved away once again upon regaining my senses. He was really asking for it, wasn't he?
"Tom Quincy." I answered without any hesitation whatsoever as he stood still again before rubbing a hand across his face wearily.
"Heaven." He said suddenly as I stared directly into his eyes. Yeah, he was asking for it.
"Tom Quincy." I remarked in a whisper as I watched his eyes widen considerably. The whole table was severely quiet now. I had surprised him--maybe nonplussed him a little. I think he was too stunned to continue. Tom sighed before turning as if to walk away. It was my turn to ask a question, even if I wasn't sure the timing was appropriate.
"Why did you let me drive the truck?" I asked him quietly as he took a couple of steps forward before turning back towards me quietly.
"Don't you know?" He asked in return as I shook my head slowly. He smiled as if amused by his sudden thoughts. Okay, maybe I did know but just wanted to hear him say it out loud.
"Because I trust you, Jude. Because sometimes the best way to illustrate that is to do something dramatic—like letting you destroy my garage." Tommy said with a laugh as I grimaced. I could have sworn I heard someone snicker as I let that statement process before grinning suddenly.
"Destroy is such a big word, don't you think?" I asked mildly as Tommy held a hand out to me in a gesture of peace.
"I think you and I need to talk." Tom remarked slowly as I nodded my head. I think he was right. We needed to talk. I didn't glance at anyone as I walked close enough to him to place my hand in his. The curtain was descending on this little show.