A while after the last, Jude kissed Tommy's head. Almost immediately, the kiss seemed to snap Tommy out of his depressed trance. He spoke softly, "I've never told anybody what I did to my aunt before…"
Not wanting to drive Tommy into hysterical mode again, Jude said kindly, "We don't have to talk about it if you don't want to."
"I want to." Tommy sat up to face Jude and looked deeply into her eyes. "My aunt, Karen, was unbelievable. She was this amazing artist who was just full of life and love. She loved taking care of people, like it was just part of her nature. Even when her husband died, she wouldn't let anyone take care of her because she needed to care for everyone else."
Jude stared back into Tommy's eyes. "She sounds amazing."
"She was all about dreams," Tommy continued. Tommy took Jude's hand in his, hoping it would help him from breaking. "Karen was the one that convinced my parents to let me move into the city so I could pursue my music career. Whatever free time she had, she would help me send out demo tapes. Karen gave me a home and a future."
Tommy closed his eyes, pushing back his tears and clearing his throat. "Then I got the Boyz Attack deal and we started spending less time together. I was working a lot in the studio, and publicizing, and then we went on tour." Tommy covered his mouth briefly while he breathed deeply. "A week before she died, she asked me to take a break from the tour and come home for a while… I refused… And then she was gone."
"Tommy…" Jude crawled closer to Tommy and hugged him. "You didn't know."
"But I should've!" Tommy replied. "If I had paid any attention at all, I would've known she was sick, Jude. She… She had cancer! She was diagnosed for years, and I was completely oblivious to it! She didn't even tell me…"
Jude could feel her own tears approaching as Tommy's story came to a finish. "She was probably just trying to protect you."
"I just wish…" Tommy started. "I wish she would've let me protect her."
Biting her bottom lip, Jude debated telling him her thoughts. I don't want you to take this the wrong way… But what could you have done, Tommy? It was just her time."
At first, Tommy looked painfully into Jude's eyes, but he knew she was right. He might not have been able to save her, but he could've been better to her. "Then I guess I wish I had come back that week. Just teaches you not to take things for granted…"
"Yeah," Jude whispered softly. "I--"
A rhythmic tune played in Tommy's jacket on the recliner. Tommy stood and retrieved his phone. "What's up, Kwest?" he asked as if he had nothing wrong. Jude could only hear a dull, mumbled response from Kwest's end. "You're crazy if you're going to do that," Tommy commented as Kwest went on. "Don't say I didn't warn you. See you tonight."
Tommy shoved his phone in his pocket and picked Jude up off the floor. Jude eyed Tommy and asked, "Why is Kwest such a crazy man?"
"He's Shay's new producer," Tommy responded bitterly. "He's too big of a deal for Georgia to drop… So he's staying at G Major with Kwest."
Jude could hear the angered tone in his voice. "I'm sorry. I know Shay's new album would've been great for you."
Giving Jude a shocked expression, Tommy asked, "Me? No…" Tommy shook his head and smoothed Jude's hair in the back. "I don't care if they want to give my gig to Kwest. I just don't want that kid stinking up G Major anymore."
Tilting her head upwards, Tommy teased her, pulling away multiple times before planting a kiss on her. Jude leaned backwards in his arms, giving enough distance so she could make eye contact. "I want to know more about you, Tommy. We have this unbelievable connection, but I don't know anything about your past… I want to know."
"You will. We'll know everything about each other. We have time…" Tommy replied as he inched closer for another smooch.
Suddenly breaking away from his lips, Jude repeated, "Time!" Jude flashed glances around the room, searching for a clock. "What time is it?"
Tommy reached for his phone and announced, "It's 12:45. Do you need to be somewhere?"
Running her fingers halfway through her hair, Jude grabbed her head and paced slightly. "I was supposed to meet Kat and Jamie half an hour ago."
"Does anyone go to school anymore?" Tommy asked.
Jude took a quick break from tying her shoes to give Tommy a dirty glare. "They got excused to work on Kat's fashion show. Jamie and I are modeling, so she needs our measurements. Oh, and we need to help make the set…" Jude rambled on.
"Jude," Tommy called out to stop her. "I'll get you there. Come on." Walking out the same way they went in, Tommy grabbed Jude's hand and raced out the door.