Chapter 16

Tommy was speeding down the highway on the way to his place, but his mind was most definitely not on the drive home. It was on the beautiful redhead whose house he was heading to in a little while. God Quincy, what were you thinking, you practically invited yourself over for the night. But then again, what is the big deal, we are together practically all hours of the day and night at the studio. But this is different, we'll be alone, in the dark, watching a movie and she will probably pick some chick flick that won't interest me. That will leave me with ample time to just think about the fact that we are sitting inches apart and how easy it would be to just reach over and run my hands through her hair, stare into those beautiful eyes of hers and kiss her senseless. Wait a minute where did that come from? Kissing her, you have to be kidding yourself, you tried that once before and look how it turned out. You ended up with her sister! Come on Quincy get it together, she probably doesn't even want that anymore, she even tried to talk you out of coming over. Why couldn't you have just kept your mouth shut, you could just go home to your own place and relax for the night. Yeah, your lonely, cold apartment that isn't nearly as appealing as a night with Jude at the Harrison home. OK, you can do this, just keep it cool tonight, none of these feelings about Jude are real, they're the result of spending a lot of time together. The fact that she is the only other person on this earth that knows you as well as you know yourself has nothing to do with this.

Tommy quickly changed at his place, took a few extra minutes more than normal checking his hair and applying some cologne and headed out to Jude's. He stopped at her favorite Chinese Place for some takeout and before he was ready, was sitting out front of Jude's house.

T: OK, Quincy, pull it together and just keep it cool tonight. It will be just like any other night when you are working in the studio together.

Tommy rested his head on his hands on the steering wheel, willing himself to calm down and just walk in as normal.

T: Oh, who am I kidding, this is going to be a VERY long night!

Meanwhile, Jude had been waiting by the door for what seemed like forever now. She had rushed home, grabbed a shower, changed into at least six different outfits before finally picking the first one she had put on and now she was standing inside the door, where she had been for the last 15 minutes, watching for the infamous blue Viper to pull up in the driveway. Jude kept trying to tell herself that tonight was just like any other night that her and Tommy spent together at the studio, but she wasn't very convincing. Exactly four minutes and 36 seconds ago, she had seen that blue Viper pull into the driveway and instantly the butterflies had taken over. Repeating to herself over and over, "It's exactly like any other night, just any other night together".

Tommy finally grabbed the takeout from car and made his way up the sidewalk and rang the bell. Immediately, Jude opened the door and the both of them stood there a little awkwardly staring at each other. Finally, Jude broke the silence:

J: So what's thedeal Quincy? Do I always make you pound your head on the steering wheel?

T: Uh, I…Uh. Well, do you always stand by the door like a stalker watching your dates park their cars?

J: No, I just, well I was . . .

T: How about if you just let me in, OK? I would prefer to eat my takeout while it is still hot!

J: Right. Thanks for bringing dinner, here let me take the bags.

T: Thanks.

Jude reached to take the bags of takeout from Tommy and at the same time Tommy started to lean in to kiss Jude's cheek. About halfway there, he thought better of it and just reached out and slapped her on the back with a quickly muttered "Hey girl". Tommyjust walked rightpast Jude and went into the living room. All the while, he was asking himself: What happened to keeping it cool? Jude meanwhile was still standing by the door smiling to herself and happily thinking, well at least I am not the only one who is a little wierded out by this whole thing.