"I've decided I want to do a cover song." Tom said suddenly a good half hour later as we were both getting dressed while still recovering from our encounter. I just looked over at him surprised.
"As in you want me to perform a cover or you?" I asked in confusion as Tommy chuckled lightly.
"Left that one a little open to interpretation, didn't I?" Tom asked on a laugh before glancing over at me seriously.
"I mean me." He stated firmly as I pulled on my shirt with a grin.
"That's great. Do you know what yet?" I asked as he walked over to me slowly, removing the hand I had laying at the top of my jeans so that he could button that top button himself.
"I have an idea." He said with a small, secret smile as I leaned my head to one side suspiciously. Tom just shrugged in the 'Don't even think about asking' gesture before kissing each of my eyelids fondly. I just shoved him away in mock anger.
"I'm hurt, Quincy. I thought we could share anything." I remarked with a pout as Tommy laughed before throwing me one of my shoes.
"Oh sweetheart, you'll be the first to hear it, I promise." He stated vaguely as I scrunched up my eyebrows in expectation. Oh, now he had me excited.
"Right now, however, I need to have a talk with Darius before the reception the studio is throwing tonight celebrating our departure tomorrow." Tom remarked as I shrugged at him with a wince.
"If you insist on putting yourself through that torture, then you can count me out." I said with a small laugh as Tommy walked over to the door ceremoniously—glancing back only once more at me as I slid on my other shoe before unlocking the door and walking out. I couldn't do anything but smile as I watched him go.
Tommy, Darius, and Stewart Harrison in Darius's new office an hour later…
"I hope you have a good reason for this unusual meeting, Tom. Otherwise, you are seriously cutting into the studio's schedule." Darius stated vehemently as Tommy rolled his eyes up at him in aggravation.
"Oh shut up, D. I own half the schedule now. Do everyone a favor and get over it." Tom remarked before turning toward the two men slowly. Darius just 'hrrruummmphed' as he leaned back in his chair curiously before propping his feet up on the top of his desk. Oh, desks were really really a distraction for Tom at the moment.
"Okay then, enlighten us." Darius remarked dryly as Tommy lifted both his brows before leaning against the wall behind him—almost as if it were a support beam.
"I slept with Jude." Tom stated point blank—seeing no reason for beating around the bush. A pall fell over the room as Darius's feet slammed to the floor while Stuart sat heavily on an upholstered armchair nearby in shock.
"You what?" Darius asked slowly as if the idea had yet to process in his brain.
"She's seventeen." Stuart said suddenly—glancing up at Tom with an expression that wavered between shock and unease. Tom just sighed.
"I know that. Trust me, I've tried using that excuse to try and dissuade myself for over a year now. And somewhere during that time, it just quit being important." Tom replied firmly as Stuart just stared ahead of him unseeingly.
"Why are you telling us this now. I mean, seriously, I have no idea how to even react to that bombshell." Stuart finally said as his gaze met sternly with Tom's. "Why are you doing this?" Stuart finished in a whisper. Tom pushed away from the wall with a determined glint in his eye.
"Because I want to marry her." Tom said quickly—watching as Darius just gapedwhile Stuart's head fell into the palms of his hands as if it were too heavy to hold up anymore. This was insane.
"She's still in school." Stuart replied as if knowing that would make all the difference. Tom shrugged.
"Not for too much longer, and there would be an engagement period first anyway. Until then, I'd just like her to continue staying with me." Tom remarked almost pleadingly as Darius stood up abruptly.
"Do you even realize what they'll say about you? I can see the headlines now "Tom Quincy, former boybander, a cradle robber." Darius roared as Tom threw him a scathing look before placing each of his hands on Darius's desk resolutely.
"Do you see the word 'care' written anywhere on my face? At this point, I can't imagine another day without her in it. If she says yes to that, then I'll put up with any consequences. You got it?" Tom stated evenly as Stuart stood up and moved toward the door.
"I just don't know how I feel about this, Tommy, but if she says yes then I suppose I'll support the decision." Stuart related wearily, and Tommy glanced at him appreciatively—knowing that Stuart was willing to try if it made Jude happy. Tommy just hoped that Jude was ready to take their relationship to the next level.