A/N: Hey, sorry for the wait, but I think you'll like this chapter. I think the next one is hilaroius so I might post that one soon too, but I don't know yet. Either way, the wait won't be long. But I do not own the song "All the Same" by the Sick Puppies. Thanks for the comments and remember to review on this chapter! Sorry it's so short...
Chapter Thirty
It was the next day and Jude still hadn't cleared the air between Tommy and her. It was a stupid fight, she knew, but nevertheless she was still a little afraid to talk to him, not knowing what she might blow up at next. Today was the day where Tommy went out on single dates with a few girls from the mansion. Jude wasn't one of them, at least not today. Today he would go on three dates with Sadie, Rachel, and Miranda.
Miranda wasn't well noticed out of any of the girls. They all wanted their camera time, but sometimes Miranda would just become unnoticed out of everyone. She was pretty with her wavy black hair and Porto Rican complexion; however she wasn't on Tommy's top list of people he liked.
Jude was sitting in the living room when Tommy and Miranda came home from their date, cameras surrounding them. Her gaze settled on Tommy and how he was smiling. She recognized that smile. It was his fake camera smile, the one he always wore to make it look like he was having the time of his life. She could tell a difference in the way he smiled when he was with her, and when he was with other girls. Jude felt herself smirking a little bit on that thought.
Jude was still looking at Tommy when he shifted his gaze toward her. She quickly looked away and back down to her journal. Tommy watched as she pretended to look over some lyrics, knowing he was watching her. He couldn't help but smile as he reluctantly turned his attention back to the cameras.
Jude looked up right as Haley walked into the room. With all of the drama that had gone by in the past few weeks they had barely gotten enough time in to talk. Haley wore a concerned smile on her face at seeing her friend. She knew that the situation must be killing her, and frankly she didn't think any of it was fair. I mean this is a show to find love, and for once that's actually what's happening. But guess what, they have to screw that up too…Haley thought finding a seat next to Jude on the couch.
Closing the journal Jude sat back against the couch, leaning her head back. Giving out a defeated sigh she looked toward Haley who was staring at her knowingly.
"Why do I always make everything more complicated than it already is?" Haley gave a short laugh before smiling.
"Jude, I don't think you had anything to do with the asshole in Armani ordering you on the show."
"No, but I did pick a stupid fight with Tommy last night after finally making up."
"Maybe you are crazy," Haley said jokingly, "I never knew you guys got back together again."
"Yeah after the fashion show last night. That was why we missed the limo back to the mansion. He stayed backstage to talk to me while I tried to leave in a taxi, but he ended up chasing it down, banging on the side of the car."
"Sounds like something from a cheesy romance movie," she replied. Jude stared back smiling.
"It sure felt like it. I mean we were kissing in the rain, how much better can it get than that?"
"Yeah all you needed was some sappy music and you got yourself a movie ending right there," she commented laughing. Jude threw a pillow at her to get her to shut up.
"But anyway, nothing is ever that perfect. We came back and all the girls went into Barbie Bitch mode, especially Sadie. She went crazy, saying that I needed to back off of her 'boyfriend' and basically gave me the guilt trip. After she left Tommy came back and I tried to tell him about the problem, without actually telling him the problem. It's not as easy as it sounds," Jude explained.
"Hah, I bet that went over real good."
"Surprisingly it turned out okay. I have no clue how, but it did."
"Then what's with you sitting here all Ms. Crankypants about screwing things up with Tommy?" Jude choked out a laugh mockingly.
"I led him to believe that I think he wants Sadie instead of me." Haley's eyes seemed more focused as she wore a smile in disbelief. She brought her hand up and slapped Jude on the side of the head.
"Hey! What was that for?!"
"To maybe knock at least a little bit of common sense into your pretty little head."
"I know it was stupid. I knew it the minute it came out of my mouth. But for some reason I just kept going. I don't know why. It was just something said on a stupid whim."
"Then what the hell are you doing sitting here! If you know you're wrong, go tell him! Fix it! Do something!" Haley ranted.
"I know, I know! I would but I haven't gotten the chance yet today, he's been gone on those stupid dates. He was out with Sadie this morning, and then he just came back with Miranda."
"Then talk to him now," she replied matter-of-factly. Jude looked at her for a second, then set her journal to the side and stood up.
"You know what? You're right. The longer I sit here the longer this will last. I can't take this anymore," Jude spoke walking toward the main hall.
"Go get him tiger!" she yelled after her.
Jude exited the living room on a mission. He had to find Tommy. She ran through the main hall, the kitchen, the back rooms, the studio, and they all held one thing in common. No Tommy. Becoming frustrated Jude went outside on the back porch, also finding no Tommy. Setting herself down on a chair close to the dock she leaned back wondering where the hell he could be. His date with Rachel wasn't for another hour and she doubted he would be with Sadie. But before she could think of another place to look, she heard the sound of a guitar playing behind her, followed by a rich voice filling the air.
I don't mind where you come from
As long as you come to me
I don't like illusions I can't see
Them clearly
I don't care no I wouldn't dare
To fix the twist in you
You've shown me eventually
What you'll do
I don't mind…
I don't care…
As long are you're here
A smile played across Jude's face. Turning around she saw Tommy staring straight at her while he continued to play.
Go ahead tell me you'll leave again
You'll just come back running
Holding your scarred heart in hand
It's all the same
And I'll take you for who you are
If you take me for everything
Do it all over again
It's all the same
Hours slide and days go by
Till you decide to come
And in between it always seems too long
All of a sudden
And I have the skill, yeah I have the will
To breathe you in while I can
However long you stay
Is all that I am
I don't mind…
I don't care…
As long are you're here
Jude stood up from her place near the dock and walked over to sit straight across from Tommy. He continued to sing his song, never breaking eye contact. Jude couldn't help to think that there was no one more perfect than Tom Quincy at that moment. She watched him as he entered the last chorus of the song.
Go ahead say it you're leaving
You'll just come back running
Holding your scarred heart in hand
It's all the same
And I'll take you for who you are
If you take me for everything
Do it all over again
It's all the same
Finishing the song neither Tommy nor Jude spoke a word. They were oblivious to everything except each other. They didn't see the crowd that had formed behind them, including the camera crew. Jude continued to stare into his ocean blue eyes, her stomach doing somersaults. Without even thinking they both closed the space between each other at the same time, Tommy setting the guitar down on the ground. Jude ran her hands through Tommy's hair as Tommy brought Jude down to sit in his lap, his arms resting at her waist. The cameras instantly moved closer to get a better shot, and if Tommy and Jude noticed them they didn't care. He ran his tongue along her lower lip asking for entrance. Jude deepened the kiss without a single thought forming in her mind.
After what had seemed like an eternity they pulled apart when the need for breathing became a necessity. Resting her forehead against his Jude tried to speak.
"So can you forgive me for being a stubborn jerk?" Tommy smiled back at her taking one of her hands with his.
"Oh I think I can manage," he replied leaning in to kiss her again. However they were stopped short when Sadie came up from behind, hosing them down with ice cold water.