Chapter Four
I've always been the kind of person to speak before making sure what I was saying was appropriate, so naturally I make rash decisions without thinking of the consequences. Anyone under the amount of pressure I was under would have done exactly what I did. After the bimbo trio and of course Santa's evil twin encounters. I was ready to stick my head in a not so frozen lake. Pull the keys out of the ignition and ram them in my eyes. Climb out of the car and stand in front of a moving vehicle. Anything to call it quits. Instead the devil on my left shoulder convinced me to get off the highway and make a run for a road I had only been on once before. Two years ago, with Jamie, when he still drove his old piece of crap.
Two years ago this road was nice. A two-lane cruise made with beautiful scenery. The trees were big and green, flowers blooming around the grassy fields. Perfect, right? I hate to wake up from that fantasy, but Tommy's evil stares and sarcastic remarks have quickly faded my hopes of once again finding this deserted road to be one of a non scary, pretty ride.
Snow covered the surface, all the trees were dead and quite frankly, eerie as all get out. I ran over numerous amounts of pot holes Each one causing the car to jump enough for us to bang our heads. Tommy had begun his yelling then, going on and on and yes on again about my driving, having no respect for cars, or him. Poor baby, did he get a boo-boo on his precious hair gelled head?
It soon came to a disastrous end when my precious Mustang slid off the road and stopped a breath away from crashing into a tree. Here's the scene: Its dark outside, besides the headlights, which are lighting up the beautifully dead trees and snow covered pot holes. I'm sitting in the car, shaking from anger, fear, and adrenaline, watching as Tommy paces back and forth beside the car. Every few seconds he looks at me through the foggy window and scowls, mouthing the words, "Stupid female driver."
Stupid female driver? Why is it whenever something goes wrong in traffic men always assume it's the females faults? What about the state of mind we are in with MEN in the car with us? Why doesn't Tommy take a good look at what he was saying at the time of our near death experience. He was the one making me nervous, pissing me off with his mean remarks about my attitude. I'm sorry I embarrassed him back with the plastic tramps; no wait-- I'm sorry I had to bring Jr. into it. What I am not sorry about is telling them they were skanks! They were all over him, begging him to come with them, like I was nothing. He was with me, still is… even though he is currently glaring fire at me.
That's it Quince, the last time I let it slide, now its on like Donkey Kong.
Cool air rushed me as soon as the drivers door pushed open, shivering instantly I wrapped the scarf tight around my neck and face as I stepped out of the car. With a new wave of anger fueling my inner bad ass self I stomped through the snow, making sure each step crunched in tune with the song blazing in my veins.
"Why don't you try saying that to my face Tommy!" I shouted over the roof of the car. Tommy's eyes had followed my motions as I made a bit of a "drama queen" scene stepping out of the car. He had the good humor to look surprised by the fury in my eyes. "Mouthing 'Stupid female driver.' over and over is real mature!"
"Get over it Jude! You about killed us and you're mad about that?" Tommy yelled back at me. His anger almost the size of mine.
Goddamn him for being such an ass hole! Why do I love a complete arse? This so isn't fair.
"I about killed us? Why don't you look at the whole picture muffin, you were being a dick-face the entire time." Grrrrrr. I am so mad!
Tommy's face filled with disbelief. Opening and closing his mouth several times he tried to speak, only failing in the process. "Shit." Okay he didn't fail after all. Wow first time ever Tommy freaking Q doesn't fail at something. "I told you to stay on the damn highway, I told you we would only be stuck in traffic for probably another hour before we could get off and take a back road I knew." And now Tommy is back. His nostrils flared with each word he spoke, I swear if steam starts coming out of his ears I'm running for help.
"But no, you start tripping out because some girls were flirting with me. You stupidly got off the highway turned down this run down road and nearly kill us. Wow, pure genius! THEN you blame ME!" Pointing his finger at me his voice rose to an eerily feminine sound, "How is that fair?!"
"First buddy, put that damn finger down or I swear to God I'll break it off," Atta girl threaten him, then go for the kill. Stepping away from the car I slowly footed my way in his direction, "Second, I was not tripping out over those bitches I was angry at Grumpa Santa who thought he owned the whole freeway," Stopping mere inches from him I lifted my finger and jabbed him in the chest, "Third, I thought I was helping us out by taking a short cut."
"Getting us lost on some unknown road is really helping us out Jude," Tommy remarked sarcastically. "Now its too dark to know where the hell we are, or how to get out of here." Forcefully he pushed my hand away before backing up and walking off towards the front of the car.
Watching him in silent frustration I felt my eyes fill with tears. Tears of anger or sadness I'm not sure. This vacation has yet to meet my expectations. One problem after the other pops up in our direction, blocking any signs of a good time. Tommy stopped walking once he reached the front of the car, the headlights casting his figure in sickeningly perfect lighting.
"Have you ever driven in snow before Jude? " Tommy suddenly asked.
"Huh?"
"Usually when you drive in snow and rain you slow down, not drive erratically," And sarcastic Tommy is once again pissing me off.
"Say what you really mean Tommy. I know you are just dying to blame your problems on me."
"You'd be so lucky to take that honor princess."
My jaw dropped. Pretty sadly at that, as air puffed into the night around me. How did I get here? Why am I here listening to this man. Right about now I wish I could start sucking my thumb and run into my mothers comforting embrace. Tears pooled in my eyes waiting for the right moment to make their journey into the unknown.
"All I wanted was a nice vacation," My voice came out an abrasive whisper. Clearing my throat angrily I harshly used the back of my gloves to wipe away the few stray tears that began to fall, "Just me and you. Doing something I never had the chance to do growing up. It was always what Sadie or mom wanted. Me and dad made the sacrifice because we loved them. That's what people who love each other do, they make decisions they know will please the other," Don't cry Jude, don't show your weakness. Another tear fell. Damn you Jude! Turn around, suck it up then prove your point like a man. Strong.
"Silly me for thinking you would enjoy taking a little road trip. Load up the car, map in hands and take off, leaving our destination open. Christmastime made it even better, snowy days made the perfect backdrop. Christmas songs playing in the car, we always have fun singing along with whatever is on. Driving by the rich neighborhoods seeing how they decorated." There you go Jude! See how his eyes are softening! You're getting to him. "Instead this trip has been nothing but awful. You didn't even want to go, so I let you use half of our time in some stuck up resort so you can sleep in a damn bed. Why? You stay in those fancy places whenever you leave on business anyway? If you wanted to sleep in a freaking bed you should have just stayed home."
Tommy stood in front of the car staring back at me with a mix of anger and guilt. I'm guessing the anger is still hanging on from almost killing us a few minutes ago. The guilt better damn well be from the hell he has put me though this vacation. A minute passed as we continued to stare speechlessly at one another. Waiting for him to say he was sorry.
"You are just mad that you made a mistake, so who better to pass the blame off on but me?" Hey! That is not an apology.
"I can't believe you!" Walk away Jude. The last time you were this mad at someone you ended up having to make a public apology on national television. As well as pay for a few hospital bills. Be smart for once in your entire life and walk away. Tommy's face is too handsome to be damaged. "I'm glad I can always count on you to be the bastard." Not exactly walking away but he deserves it. Kicking at a pile of snow nearby the car I growled inwardly in frustration. Making up my mind I tossed Tommy a look over my shoulder, "You win. I'm done, take the car and go find a precious resort to waste your money at. I would hate for your over jelled hair to have to use the car as a cushion tonight." With that I turned away from him and walked as fast as I could in the snow.
Tommy called my name, I ignored him. I made it a few steps out of the lightness from the car lights before my foot got stuck in a fallen tree branch.
"Dammit!" Bending over, my gloved hands tugged at the twigs before they gave way, releasing its firm grip on my boot covered foot. "Ass hole! Go away, shoo you piece of wood garbage!" I know yelling at a pile of twigs is real mature, but come on, walking alone in the dark snow, getting tripped by a piece of dead wood is not helping my mood.
My life sucks, Tommy sucks even more. God I can't believe what a sourpuss he is. Is it really that much to ask for him to let loose and enjoy this time with me? Didn't think so. Instead I get stuck at an expensive luxury resort in the middle of winter where we can't do anything but stay inside. When all I wanted was to be driving around with Tommy by my side, telling jokes, singing along to the radio, enjoying each others company. God I hate him! I HATE TOMMY!!!!!
Whoosh! Cold air slammed into the back of my head, causing my body to lurch forward. Catching me off balance I fell face first into the snow. "What the hell!" I screamed as my face met with ice.
"Sorry," I heard from above me. "I didn't mean to throw it that hard."
"Bastard!" Rolling over my eyes met Tommy's. He stood a few feet in front of me, grinning like a little boy about to get spanked. I just bet he wants to be spanked! Pervert!
"I swear," Tommy said. His smile growing, "You have snow of your face."
"No kidding genius!" Blinking fast to rid the snow stuck to my eyelashes I grabbed a handful of the icy substance, smiling in pure evil enjoyment, raising my arm I flung the snow directly at Tommy.
Damn he's fast!
"Sorry sweet cheeks, you sort of missed," Tommy spoke as he walked closer to me. Smiling down at me he offered out his hand, "Need some help?"
"You know I hate you right?"
His only response was a nod. Good he understands. Taking hold of his hand I let him gently help me off of the wet ground. "Your aim needs some work," Tommy mumbled releasing his hand from beneath mine.
My earlier words of taking him down like Donkey Kong are back. This time shooting bananas and scratching my armpits will be useless. I need to bust out a whole new can of whip-ass. The kind where Tommy ends up on his knees groveling from my complete forgiveness. Yeah I like the sound of that, after all Tommy has been a total butt this entire trip--topped off with the snow throwing incident. He needs to pay, he needs to feel guilty for what he did to me.
"Girl you think too much."
"Excuse me?" I questioned rather harshly.
Tommy grinned. Damn he looks good. Does this man ever look bad? Tired, angry, laughing it does not matter what Tommy always looks like he walked off some damn fashion magazine. "I said you think too much. I can see the wheels turning in your head."
Rolling my eyes I pushed aside all thoughts about how insanely gorgeous he was, how much I want to kiss those lips of his. ---Making a noise only one would hear in a zoo, I cleared my throat. "Amazing. You should win a trophy for being so observant."
"A kiss would work."
Damn right it would.
"Screw you," I spit out. Leave it to him to flirt when I am trying to be mad--or more mad, because I am mad---right?---ugh, now I'm confused.
Grinning in his I'm a stud and you want me way Tommy replied, "Even better. Right here in the snow? I like the way you think girl."
Right here in the snow. Oh my, oh my, right here in the snow. Tommy wants to screw me in the snow. My cheeks are red from the coldness. Not because I'm heating up like a Hot Pocket in a microwave. Beep I'm ready. Tasty frozen treat anyone?
"The only thing you will be doing in the snow is yourself," Eyeing Tommy up and down I stared unblushingly at his crotch before returning my gaze to connect with his flustered one, "good luck with that one. We all know what cold weather can do to Jr." Smiling in pure bliss I poured a dash of salt into the wound, "Isn't that right snuggle-boo?"
Jude score- Check.
Jude payback- Check.
Jude gloating in the victory- Check/check.
"The way you keep looking down my pants Jude I'd say you want me."
Hell yes! "Why would you say that?" It cant be the sideways glances, the lust in my eyes, the hugs that last too long, the stolen kisses.
Tommy stepped closer to me, his eyes smiling. Oh God, I love it when he smiles. The closer he stepped to me the harder it was for me to think and breathe. Why must my heartbeat speed up. Why-why do I feel like nothing in this world could be better than standing just inches away from this man?
"Perhaps its just the snow effecting us," Tommy began. His breath tickling my lips. Staring silently into his eyes I felt butterflies dancing around inside my body. Flying free with happiness. Minutes ago I was crying about how much Tommy was being a stick-in-the-mud, now. Now I'm glad I lost us; at this moment I don't want to be found. "I'm trying to remember a time you looked more beautiful then how you do now," Tommy's words whispering next to my ear. Oh Lord.
"O-oh," I stuttered stupidly. Tommy smiled as he brought his hands up to cup my cheeks. Never breaking his gaze from mine I watched in awe as his lips slowly lowered until they connected with mine.
Shine your lights upon me as I join the chorus in song. "Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallllllellllujjjjjahhhh!"
"Mmm, you smell good," Tommy whispered against my lips, before kissing me softly again.
If smelling like stale coffee and old Doritos turns him on I'm having Portia find a way to bottle the scent into a perfume when I get back.
"I still kind of hate you, you know," After recovering from having Tommy's oh-so-soft lips on mine I felt human enough to declare my distaste for the man. Okay, so I love him with everything I have, but come on, he's trying to ruin my trip. The one I worked my ass off to get. "You-you can't just do what you just did and expect for me to forgive you."
"So you wont being having your way with me in the snow?" Winking at me Tommy pinched my cheek.
Please for the sake of all stop touching me. Its not good for a person to heat up to this level of hot like I am now.
"Maybe some other time," I offered. Tommy grinned. Tommy grinning is never a good sign. Or is it? I would give into to the idea of having my way with him right here right now, except the idea of having my pale bare ass rubbing up against a block of ice doesn't appeal to me.
"I told you you think too much. What's on your mind now big eyes?"
You. Me. Naked. Snow.
"Nothing really."
"Yeah sure," Grabbing hold of my hand Tommy pulled me close against him, "I have an idea."
Relishing in the heat of his presence. Not to mention the joy of having Tommy Q's arm wrapped tightly around my waist. His hand rubbing slow circles into my jacket. "What kind of an idea?" I barely croaked out. Man I really need to stop acting so damn girly when I'm around him. Just like those bimbos earlier, I could faint at any given moment. Too bad I don't have the plastic boobers to complete the package.
Tugging on my hand Tommy pulled us away from a pile of fallen tree branches. The snow crunched underneath our boots as we stepped through the ice-y mounds. I never would have imagined I would be walking hand in hand with Tommy through the snow. Yet here we are and I love it. Even though I'm supposed to be mad at him.
"Lets make snow angels."
"Snow angels?" I asked laughing. "I haven't made one of those since I was a little kid."
Me and Sadie would spend hours outside rolling around in the snow. Always competing to see who could make the perfect one, the whole idea was to stand up without ruining the angels shape. We both tied, after years of failing I finally made the perfect one, I was so happy I pranced around for a week rubbing it in her face how I did something better than her; until she made a perfect one herself. Every winter we would find something else to compete over. Whether it be who could make the best snowman to who could make the best weapon of a snowball. Unfortunately for Jamie and Spiederman they became the lab rats for the snowman and snowballs.
When I was ten I hurled a heavy one right at Jamie's head, too bad he turned around. He ended up in the emergency room for five hours while they patched up the scratches caused by his broken glasses. Mom grounded me for a week, ranting about being more cautious, how I could have taken one of Jamie's eyes out. Oh please! He's the one who turned around!
When I was six, one weekend Spied was staying over at Jamie's. He still had crazy blonde hair, bad breath and loved to crack jokes about his bodily functions. Jamie's Nana sent both boys outside to run off their energy. Instead they came over to my house, begging mom and dad to let me play with them. We played alright, Sadie had come out and we once again got into a battle of the bad-ass snowmen… only this time Sadie took Spied and I took Jamie and we covered them in snow, dressed them up with pretty scarves and stuck carrots in their mouths. They already had noses so having the carrot in the mouth was the next best thing.
How many six year olds think about health when they bury their friends in snow? Not a lot. At least I didn't. The next day Nana called my mom complaining that both boys had come down with a cold. I spent my Sunday reading stories and dishing up bowls of chicken noodle soup to two of the biggest babies ever. A cold is a cold, no need to act like your dying or something!
"I haven't either, come on," Tommy let go of my hand as he plopped down in the snow. I couldn't help but smile down at him, he looked like a little boy sitting there. His leather jacket zipped all the way up, deep blue scarf wrapped around his neck, he had a matching beanie on his head. My idea, I bought myself a set and found the same color for men. Corny I know, but I think its adorable. Just like him right at this moment.
Following suit I took a seat next to him. His rosy cheeks matching mine as we both laid down. "I never thought I would do this with you," I murmured. Spreading my arms and legs out, pushing the snow back and forth as my angel began to take shape.
"I never thought I'd do a lot of the things we've done," Tommy's fingers brushed against my gloved ones as he moved his arms through the snow. "I'm happy Jude."
"Happy with what?" Tilting my head to the side I met Tommy's eyes. We both paused in our angel making motions to gaze at one another.
"I'm happy being here with you girl."
What happened to Frosty when they locked him in that building? He melted. Right now I'm melting, my insides turning into mush. "I'm happy too, Quince."
"Think my angel will be better than yours?"
"Dream on loser," Laughing when he tossed snow at me I continued to move my arms and legs back and forth making sure my angel had smooth edges. Unlike Tommy's, who was looking a little lopsided. "I think mines the angel, yours is the devil."
"Oh?" Tommy playfully gasped. "I think it's the other way around pumpkin."
"I don't think so. You're the devil out of the two of us. I've always been the sweet innocent one."
Tommy snorted. Um, what's so hard to think of me as being an innocent angel? At least out of the two of us. Tommy has more of an evil side than I do. What about that poor little kid Tommy scared at the resort we were staying in? Tommy had to use the restroom while we were waiting to check in. Being a child loving gentlemen he practically ran over that cute little boy. His mother and me had to comfort him when he started crying.
"Big meanie!" There I go shouting things out I really would like to keep inside my crazy head.
"Now I'm a big meanie? What did I do this time?"
"What haven't you done?"
Tommy stopped his angel making abruptly. "This," He whispered scooting his body closer to mine. When there was barely an inch separating us he leaned down and placed a kiss on the tip of my nose, "And this," Smiling he placed a kiss against my forehead. "And this," Lightly he kissed the corner of my mouth.
"What about here?" I croaked pointing to my cheek. Tommy chuckled before pressing his lips against my rosy from the cold weather----not from blushing cheek.
"Better?" His voice falling out a whisper. Ticking my warm skin.
Nodding I reached up and touched my glove covered hand to his cheek. Even with the cover on I could still feel how soft his skin was. I love him. I love everything about him. Even with a beanie and scarf on he still managed to take my breath away.
I wish I knew where we were, just so I could make a point to come back here every year to relive this moment. Lying beneath the dead snow covered trees, freezing my butt off, the stars twinkling the moon shining down, everything set the tone for this moment. A moment in which my vacation finally means something.
Tommy kissed the tip of my nose again before looking into my eyes with laughter shining in his. "Jude?"
"Yes?" I answered. Still basking in the moment.
"You have a bat in the cave."
WHAT?! He's lying! I don't!
"No I don't."
He shook his head chuckling.
Its not funny!
"Yeah you do, I can see it."
Glaring up at him I shoved him away from me. "Way to ruin a moment big head!"
"I'm just stating a fact."
Donkey Kong ass kicking is so about to go down right now. Pulling off one of my gloves I rolled my hand into a fist, ready for battle.
"If I were you Quincy I'd start running," Nostrils flared. Hands fisted. Steam boiling in my veins. Ass kicking Jude at your service!
Tommy took the hint. Before I could blink again he was up and running towards the car. He has three seconds before I come after him.
Three. Its on like Donkey Kong.
Two. To kick his frosty butt.
One. Here comes Judey Claus!