Chapter 25
Jude was so wound up that night that she hardly had got any sleep at all. Thoughts of her and Tommy alone for an entire week in a beautiful mountain cabin just danced through her head. Finally at 9:00 AM the next morning, Jude decided it was a lost cause and headed downstairs for some breakfast before the hoard of makeup and hair people EJ booked arrived for the day. As if on cue, the doorbell rang exactly 35 minutes later and the whirlwind of a day began. At any given time during the day there were at least three different people working on her hair, nails, toes, makeup, etc. while Jude just tuned everything out and anxiously counted down the hours left until her vacation officially began.
At exactly 7:00 PM on the dot, EJ descended the stairs and gathered Jude's parents, their respective dates and Sadie at the bottom of the stairs for Jude's grand entrance. Jude waited anxiously at the top of the stairs and at EJ's signal, Jude made her way down the stairs to the "ohhs" and "ahhs" of the group gathered at the bottom. Jude had let EJ decide on her outfit for the evening, trusting that she knew exactly what Jude would want after all the time they had been working together lately and EJ definitely did not let her down. EJ had chosen a beautiful black gown that clung to Jude's body perfectly. It looked as though it were especially made just with her in mind. She wore minimal jewelry, as to not take away from the beautiful gown and strapy black heels. Jude's newly blonde tresses were gathered in a haphazard knot on the top of her head with wispy curls hanging loosely along the sides. Jude's dad was the first to meet her at the bottom of the steps gently taking her hand and he leaned over and whispered "You look amazing Jude! Congratulations." Jude's mom was next and in between her tears she managed to tell Jude how proud she was of her. After the required compliments, EJ efficiently herded everyone out the door to their respective cars.
Jude's parents would be traveling with their respective dates in their own cars, Sadie would be picking up her date for the evening and Jude would be riding alone in the black stretch limo provided courtesy of G Major. As Jude approached the limo, the driver came around to open her door and she quickly took her seat in the back of the car. However, imagine her surprise when she looked up from adjusting her dress once seated and sitting directly across from her was none other than Tommy!
J: Tommy? What are you doing here. You told me earlier today you would meet me at the party.
T: I know. I overheard EJ telling Georgia the travel plans and well, I didn't think the star of the evening should ride the whole way there all alone! Plus, I did say I would be by your side the entire night if you need me.
J: Oh Tommy, what would I do without you?
Tommy quickly changed seats and came to sit beside Jude.
T: So let me take a look.
Tommy gently took Jude's hand in his and held it up as he surveyed her look for the night.
T: EJ really out did herself this time. You look gorgeous Jude!
J: Thanks. Amazing what a great dress and a little makeup can do huh?
T: You would look good in a paper bag.
Neither knew exactly what to say after that so they lapsed into a comfortable silence while the limo made its way to G Major for the party. Minutes later, as they pulled up outside the studios, Tommy turned to look at Jude sitting very stiff next to him:
T: You nervous?
J: A little.
T: Listen, you have nothing to worry about and remember I am right here if you need me.
Tommy made his way out of the limo and around to Jude's door. He opened the door and offered Jude his hand as she gracefully stepped out to the hundreds of flashes and shouts of the press crowed along the aisle leading into G Major. Jude put on her best smile and waved to the reporters as she made her way in the doors.
After they were through the doors and safely on the other side, Jude noticeably left out the breath she didn't realize she had been holding. Tommy gently leaned over and whispered:
T: See what did I tell you, you are an old pro. Come on everyone's waiting for the girl of the hour!
Hours later, as Jude was thanking what seemed like the thousandth person for coming that evening, she quietly made her way down the hall away from the party and into Studio B. She just needed a few minutes to herself. Jude sat at the soundboard rifling through her bag for a piece of gum when she heard the door open and close behind her. Without turning around, Jude addressed the person in the door:
J: EJ, come on give me a break. I just need a couple minutes to relax and then I will be back at it.
T: Does that mean I'm not welcome either?
Jude quickly spun around in her chair and saw that it was Tommy, not EJ, standing in the doorway.
J: Hey Tommy, no it's fine you can come in. I just needed a break is all.
T: OK, I was just worried when I saw you sneak away from the party.
J: It's nothing; I am just ready to get this over with.
T: Yeah, I know the feeling. I have been checking my watch every 5 minutes tonight hoping it was soon time to get out of here.
J: Yeah, me too.
J: So, did you get to see the show that my parents are putting on for everyone tonight? I can't believe Dad brought that Bi…
T: Jude! She doesn't seem that bad.
J: Well I just think it takes a lot of guts to bring her with him tonight. And my mom! Did you see that guy? He must be half her age!
Tommy came up to stand in front of Jude and pulled her to her feet.
T: Come on Jude, don't let them bother you. This is your night, they aren't important. Just enjoy yourself and be proud of your accomplishments. You deserve this – all of this. You have worked hard on this album and it shows!
J: Oh Tommy.
Jude wrapped her arms around Tommy and leaned her head on his shoulder. He was so warm and it felt so good to have him hold her. Tommy held her like that for a few moments and after it became almost unbearable, he took a small step back to look at her face.
T: You know, I didn't see you dance even once tonight.
J: Yeah, I guess I was just too busy making rounds of the room.
Tommy quickly stepped away from Jude and bent over the soundboard for a moment while Jude stood with a questioning look on her face trying to figure out what he was doing.
A minute later music began to play in the room and Tommy came back to stand directly in front of Jude:
J: Tommy, what are you doing?
T: Dance with me?
Jude took Tommy's hand and stepped closer to him as they gently began to sway to the music. Tommy wrapped his arm around her waist and Jude gently laid her head on his shoulder. Neither were aware of anything but the music and each other as they danced right there in Studio B. Sometime during the song, Jude moved her hands up to clasp them behind Tommy's neck and Tommy wrapped his arms around Jude. They just continued to dance to the music and stare into each other's eyes.
The music soon came to a stop, but neither moved. It was like a trance, they just couldn't look away. Tommy was the first to break the silence with a whisper:
T: You look beautiful tonight Jude.
Jude mumbled a quick "thank you" still lost in Tommy's eyes. Jude and Tommy both knew what was happening, but it was beyond their power to control. Every so slowly, they both leaned into each other until their lips met in the softest, sweetest kiss. It was like fireworks exploding the second their lips touched. They were both lost in the kiss and when they thought it impossible to be any closer, they still found a way to get closer still. Tommy closed his arms tighter around Jude and Jude pushed up on tiptoe to get closer to Tommy. Neither knew how long they stayed that way lost in the passionate kiss. Suddenly, they both pulled away and took a step back. Jude was the first to speak:
J: Uhh…wow.
T: Jude…
Tommy's eyes darted all over the room, almost as though he couldn't make himself look at her. Finally, his eyes found a way to hers and she immediately knew exactly what he was thinking. Tommy tried again to speak:
T: Jude. That shou…
J:Just don't Tommy! Don't finish your sentence. I already know what you are going to say and I don't want to hear it.
T: You don't have any idea…
J: Oh yes I do, I can tell by the look in your eyes, you are going to tell me it shouldn't have happened and we can't do this again. You want me to forget it ever happened. Well Tommy, I will save you the trouble of having to beg. It didn't happen, OK? Now, I am leaving because I don't want to see you right now. Good-bye Tommy.
With that said, Jude walked out of G Major and made it into the limo before the tears started to come. She gave instructions to the limo driver and curled up in the back seat thinking to herself: I must be cursed. Why can't I get through one party without someone hurting me?