Chapter Six
Tommy was happy to finally get away from the meeting. He wasn't looking forward to the show nearly as much as he should be. You should be having fun, come on. He walked into the kitchen and turned on the TV that was hanging on the wall. He kept flipping through the channels until he decided on MTV. They were playing music videos and Tommy listened while he started to make himself a sandwich. Soon he felt his head bobbing to the beat of the current song.
Unusually, the video didn't show the band at all. He could tell the singer of the rock band was a girl, however. The longer the song continued the more he found her voice kind of familiar. Whoever she is, she's not that bad, he thought as he rounded the island to get a drink from the fridge. The host of the show came on after the song ended, causing Tommy to pause to look at the TV.
"Well ladies and gentleman there it is, Jude Harrison's new single, "My Sweet Time" off her newly finished album which is being released within the next month…"
Tommy's ears shot up as he just stared at the TV in disbelief. He couldn't believe that the girl he just heard was Jude. That was amazing. So that was the album she was talking about when she got here.
"…Yes that was our first instant star from last season. Let's play one more song by her off of her old album. This is called "Waste My Time", featuring Shay…"
Tommy was still staring at Jude when Haley came in the room. Tommy didn't even notice her entrance; he was too transfixed on the TV. Then the Shay kiss appeared and Tommy's jaw subconsciously clenched.
Haley, noticing him gaping at Jude on the screen, walked up to him smiling. Tommy, still not noticing her, almost jumped out of his skin when she spoke to him.
"She's somethin' huh?"
"Wh-What? Oh um…yeah.." he replied nervously, still trying to recover from the surprise. He had nearly choked on his water. Haley's smile only extended further as she pried for more information.
"I saw the way you were just looking at her. What ever happened to Sadie?"
"What do you mean?" he asked confused.
"You've been flirting with Sadie all this week. And then I see you stare at Jude like that. What's up?" she asked leaning against the counter.
"Nothing's going on Haley."
"Oh come on. You can tell me, it's not like I'm going to be on camera to tell everyone about it."
"That still doesn't mean you won't say anything…"
"So there is something?" she asked with a look that said "gotcha!"
"No! I mean- it's just- er- I don't know!" he said exasperated while starting to pace around the kitchen. "I mean, I like Sadie, I do. It's just…" he trailed off running a hand through his hair.
"It's just that you like Jude as well," Haley finished for him.
"Yeah, she's just…different from anyone else I know. But it's useless."
"And why is that?" she pursued, walking around the counter to face him. Tommy looked at her like the answer was completely obvious.
"I'm not supposed to like her! Her sister is on the show! She's the one I'm supposed to be going for." Haley gave a short nod in response.
"So that's what it's about. Just because she's not on the show, means you're not supposed to like her? That's just stupid."
"You think?"
"Yeah," she walked toward the door then turned back, "you don't kiss people you don't have feelings for." Without another word she turned back around and slipped out the door before Tommy could get in a word edgewise.
What the hell does she mean by that? I mean- oh god. She knows I kissed her? How? There's no way she knows. Unless…Jude told her? No…although…it's not impossible.
Meanwhile back in Jude's room….
What the heck is Haley's problem? I mean she makes it seem like I should go for Tommy. Maybe I should, I don't know. But I'm not about to hurt my sister in the process…although I don't know if I can take this show the whole way through with Sadie being…just…Sadie.
Ugh…
She paced back and forth through her room feeling guilty about the whole thing. Even though she technically didn't do anything, she felt bad for Sadie not knowing. But she can't know…she just can't. If Haley says anything to anyone I'll kill her, as much as I like her. But no one can know…
She was so deep in her thoughts that she jumped a foot off the ground when she heard a knock at her door. That must be Haley coming back to rub it in my face that I like Tommy…oh my god I just admitted it…Jude cursed herself. But when she opened the door she was shocked to find once again that it was not who she thought it was. She gave him a puzzled look as he stepped past her and started pacing in her room, like she had been doing moments before. Jude walked back inside her room in bewilderment and closed the door.
"Tommy what are you..." but she was abruptly cut off when his lips came crashing down hard on her. Jude didn't have time to resist, but when she did, she didn't want to. She totally gave in to him and threw her arms around his neck while he continued his assault on her mouth. Reluctantly, Tommy pulled away slowly. Jude just stared at him, confused at what just happened. Then the reality of it came back and she couldn't stop the string of curses from slipping from her mouth.
Jude backed away from him, creating distance by perching herself on the bed.
"What the hell just happened?"
"Well…um…I don't know. I just had to."
"And that means what exactly?" she said getting a little irritated. "I mean, that's the second time that you've come in here and just kissed me. Only this time we didn't get interrupted."
"Yeah I know. I just was going crazy not talking to you. Why have you been ignoring me?" he asked with a concerned stare. Jude stood up to face him.
"Why have you been hitting on my sister?" she challenged.
"Well maybe because you said that you could never like, and I quote, Little Tommy Q!"
"When did I ever say that to you! Huh!" she yelled at him.
"I heard you talking to Sadie. I know she's the one who likes me and everything but come on, I could tell you weren't lying."
"And you thought you would get back at me? That's real mature Quincy," she spat.
"Yeah well at least I didn't ignore you completely. You still haven't answered me by the way. And don't say that you don't like me like that and just want to be friends, I'm not buying that bull shit."
"What if I did say that? I mean give me one good reason why I should give you a chance?" she asked challenging, getting in his face.
"Because of this," he grabbed her shirt and pulled her into another breathtaking kiss.
When he pulled back he just stared at her, "Someone who doesn't have feelings for you doesn't kiss back like that," he whispered still only inches away form her face.
"Yeah, well maybe I do, but sorry it's just not going to work," she said stubbornly and pushed away from him.
"And why is that?" he yelled back at her.
"Tommy, you're on a show to date girls! You have to choose one of them to get engaged to! Are you getting the picture here?"
"No, Jude, I'm not. I did this show because I was forced into it. Sure maybe I thought I would get engaged, but I didn't really have any intentions on getting married to any of them!"
"Then what's with you and my SISTER all of a sudden!" she yelled angrily.
"Since you were ignoring me, I was just trying to get my mind off of you!"
"With my sister?!"
"Jude it was a mistake, I know. But besides you, she and Rachel are the only two I would even be friends with."
"Yeah I get it. You'll kiss me a few times, say you like me. Then in front of Sadie you'll do the same thing. Typical guy," she stated crossing her arms over her chest.
"Jude, I'm sorry. I have no clue what else to say to you," he said getting closer to her.
"You know what? Save it," she said before turning to open the door for him to leave. Tommy didn't budge.
"Jude, I'm not leaving until you admit that there's something more between us," he said while getting very close to her and looking her square in the eyes. Jude tried to back away but only succeeded on getting pinned against the wall.
"Tommy, don't do this," she whispered, half pleading, half in frustration.
"Why are you so scared?"
"Because I don't want to get hurt! Is that such a bad thing?!"
"You're not going to get hurt."
"You are forgetting the fact that I will be seeing you on TV flirting with other girls." Tommy sighed and rolled his eyes.
"That's all an act! You should know the difference in the way I look at you and the way I look at them."
"Sorry Tommy I don't! I only just met you. Why should I trust you?" she gave a short laugh, "You know, I used to hate you. I used to say you were a tacky pop star who makes a living by shaking his butt and singing bad songs." Tommy backed up a little and laughed.
"You know that's not too far off," then he got serious, "and what do you think now?" he looked her straight in the eye so that she couldn't look away. His stare gave Jude chills that ran up her spine.
Jeez, why does he have this power over me so I can't lie to him? And those eyes…stay focused Jude, don't give in. They were only an inch apart now, never taking their eyes off one another. Man, why does he have to smell so good?
"Now I think you're a tacky ex-pop star who needs to stop looking at me like that," Jude whispered.
"And why should I stop?"
"Because then I'll do this," and this time she was the one to kiss him. Bringing her lips to his she couldn't help but love the way they felt. She broke away breathless and was about to go in again when they were interrupted.
"Aha!"
Jude and Tommy jumped back, both blushing. Damn, I should've closed that door, Jude thought while looking at a giddy Haley.
"I told you, you liked him Jude," she said smiling.
"Maybe just a little bit," she said showing with her hands.
"A little bit? Hah. I'm just glad that I found ya'll and not Sadie or Rachel. They just got back about 5 minutes ago."
"Ok thanks. Umm, can you give me and Tommy a minute to talk for a second?"
"Sure…" she said and winked at Tommy, before leaving and shutting the door behind her. Jude turned to Tommy, her tone taking a serious expression.
"What do you want from me?" Tommy stared at her for a second before replying.
"I just want you." Jude smiled up at him.
"Yeah I get that much. But I mean, once the show starts up, then what? We just go back to not talking while I see you on TV dating on other girls? Plus the fact that I'll never be able to see you." She had begun to pace back and forth through the room until Tommy took a hold of her arms, stopping her.
"We can make it work. Obviously it will have to be a secret for a while because if the other girls on the show find out, it could make for something really ugly. Not to mention if the press found out. You don't want to mess up your career with the press, Jude, trust me. As for me hitting on other girls, the producers told me when I'm on film to make it look like that I'm interested in everyone; which to them means that they're making me flirt with them. You just have to trust me. Do you trust me?" he asked while looking straight into her eyes. Jude hesitated slightly, her doubts resurfacing for a moment. However, there was no way she could say no to him when he was staring at her like that.
"Yes, I trust you."
"Good."
"When will we see each other? We can't talk much during the day unless I'm with Sadie. She may be a dumb blonde but she'll catch on." Tommy was silent for a minute in deep concentration.
"My room is down the hall and on the left. Meet me there at 11:00 tonight. No one knows where it is so that I won't get bombarded with girls."
"Because we all know you would hate that," she said laughing.
"Well…not all girls," he said smiling down at her. Jude couldn't help but laugh. He set himself up for this one.
"Oh so that's your secret? You're gay now!" Tommy rolled his eyes.
"You know what I meant."
"Yeah. Oh shoot! I can't meet you tonight. The producers want a meeting at 10:30 tonight with the contestant's guests."
"Why? We already had the instructional meeting. How come I never knew about this?" he asked with curiosity.
"I have no clue. All I know is that the contestants can't know about it, so I'm guessing you weren't supposed to either."
"That's weird. Oh well sometimes the producers change things around so much, they don't even let me in on things. But ok then, so how about I just meet up with you tomorrow some time then?"
"Sounds good. Better get out of here before Sadie comes up."
"Yeah, I'll talk to you later," he said kissing her on the cheek before leaving Jude's room.
"Bye Tommy," she said just before Sadie walked into the room through their connecting door.
A/N: Thanks for those who have reviewed this so far! There are still some people who haven't given some feedback yet and I would appreciate it if you guys could review...it really helps to know what the readers are thinking through the course of a story, good or bad. But I hoped you liked this chapter...but just because jommy seems in full swing now doesn't mean the whole story will be like that hehe lol the next chapter you'll understand the reason why jude and haley and the rest of the guests were even invited to the mansion.