Chapter 22

Three Days Later

Jude stayed in Kat and Jamie's apartment, eating Ben and Jerry's and sulking for the last few days. She wouldn't talk about what had put her in a mood, but Kat and Jamie both knew from experience it had to be Tommy related.

Kat and Sadie had finally convinced Jude to get out of the house and they were having a 'girls day' shopping and gossiping. Jude couldn't help but feel elated being with her sister and best friend.

The girls walked into the mall food court, arms overflowing with bags and sat everything down at a table in their sight and ordered their food. Once they were sitting down and eating their meals, Sadie looked anxiously between Kat and Jude before saying between a squeal.

"Guys, I think Kwest is going to propose soon." Sadie beamed happily and Kat and Jude stared at Sadie in shock a moment.

"Wow! That's awesome Sades!" Jude congratulated, feeling a small disappointment wash over her. She wished Tommy would propose to her, but it wasn't going to happen. Not now, not ever. She was a mistake to him, always was and always would be.

"I know…it's just…he's been so secretive lately and he's got this big night planned this weekend and I really think he's going to ask." Sadie said, bouncing in happiness.

"I wish Jamie would propose. I swear, we're going to be dating until we die." Kat muttered bitterly.

"at least you both have your guys." Jude said, pouting. Kat and Sadie looked at Jude in sympathy.

"I suspect Tommy and Michelle will crash and burn. It's only a matter of time." Sadie said matter-of-factly. Jude looked over at Sadie.

"What makes you say that?" Jude asked, wondering if Michelle had said anymore about breaking up with Tommy to Sadie.

"Yeah, I thought they were pretty happy…" Kat said, looking sheepishly at Jude's glare.

"I just think they're going to end. Tommy's not going to be able to resist you." Sadie said, smirking. Yeah, been there, done that, and look how that turned out? Jude thought bitterly.

"Got a plan Sadie?" Kat asked, looking intrigued. Jude's eyes widened.

"NO! I protest!" Jude said, looking back and forth between her best friend and her sister. Sadie grinned evily.

"Maybe." She said, eying Jude a moment before taking another bite of her salad.

"Sades." Jude said warningly. Sadie looked at Kat and the girls shared a knowing look. Jude felt panicky but let the subject drop. She didn't want to talk about Tommy right now. They weren't going to happen, and anything Sadie and Kat did wasn't going to change it. Even if she wanted it to be so.

"…from me, but I think Michelle's going to break up with Tom soon." Sadie said and Jude looked up from her food, paying attention to the conversation before her.

"Really?" Kat said, smiling viciously.

"Mmm-hmm. Little birdie told me."

"What?" Jude asked. Sadie shot Jude a look of sympathy.

"Don't worry about it honey. It's grown up stuff." Sadie said, with a laugh. Jude glared at her older sister but neither would say anything else on the subject. Jude sighed. She had to tell Tommy…even if it meant he would be mad at her. He deserved to know his girlfriend was going to break up with him.

Later that Night

Jude walked into G Major as if she owned the place. No one stopped her or asked her any questions as she walked towards Studio A where she found Tommy and Kwest bent over the soundboard, arguing about a particular back track. Jude entered the room and neither of them broke their argument as Jude closed the door behind her.

"Kwest, I don't think"

"Either of you are right?" Jude cut in, grinning as Tommy and Kwest both snapped their heads over to see Jude standing with an amused expression on her face.

"I seriously got to remember to get a lock for that door." Tommy said with a sigh. Kwest nodded in agreement.

"That was what? The 6th person to walk in that door?"

"Seven, but who's counting?" Tommy corrected.

"Apparently you are." Jude commented, sitting down next to them. Tommy and Jude shared a long look and Kwest cleared his throat and got out of his chair, causing the couple to start.

"Well, I'm going to…" Kwest looked panicked for a moment and picked up his coffee mug. "get more coffee."

"You don't drink" Before Tommy and Jude could finish the statement, Kwest was out the door. Tommy sighed and shook his head. "Subtly was never his strong suit." He muttered before looking over at Jude, his eyes questioning. "What are you doing here Jude?" He asked, honestly surprised to see Jude here, especially after the weekend. He knew he messed up; knew that he probably ruined their friendship forever, but he panicked. He'd never felt this way about anyone before and it still scared him. He knew it was childish, but he didn't know what else to do.

"I…I wanted to talk to you." She said, honestly, and sighed. "It's not what you think about though." She said, looking into his eyes.

"Okay…" Tommy said, waiting for her to explain.

"I…I know how this is going to sound and I don't want you take this the wrong way, but I thought…you deserve to know and if I didn't tell you and you found out I knew, than you'd be madder at me and even though I don't want anything to do with you right now, I don't want to ruin our friendship." Jude said hurriedly. Tommy shook his head, trying to process what she just said.

"You realize you're not making any sense right?" Tommy pointed out, looking deeply confused. Jude sighed.

"I don't know how to say it, so I'm just going to say it. I heard Sadie and Michelle talking the other day…and I think she's going to break up with you soon." Jude stated, looking like a large weight had been lifted from her shoulders. Tommy eyed her a moment, as if trying to figure out if she were telling the truth. After a long moment, he looked away from her, and Jude wondered what he was thinking. "Tommy…I know-I know how it probably sounds. Coming from me and after what's happened, but I just-" She sighed. "I thought you should know." She said, still watching him. She saw him frown slightly and she sighed heavily. The silence – his silence – was torturing her. She wished he'd yell at her or something. She could deal with a reaction, his non reaction was beginning to worry her.

"Let's just agree that I've been warned and leave it at that." Tommy said, looking over at Jude his eyes guarded. "I don't want to fight over it." He added, looking defeated. Jude nodded.

"You don't believe me." Jude stated.

"What do you want me to think Jude?" Tommy asked honestly. "What would you think if roles were reversed?" Tommy asked, his eyes soft despite his accusation. It was almost like he believed her deep down, but didn't want to consciously admit it. Jude nodded slowly.

"I know how it sounds." Jude said softly, looking away from his blue eyes. They were silent a moment and he sighed before breaking the silence.

"I'm sorry Jude." He said and Jude looked up at him.

"So am I." She said sadly.