Alluring Turmoil (24 page)

We finish eating and I look over at the cakes she’s been working on.

Wow, she’s amazing. I always knew she could bake and her treats were always delicious, but she’s an amazing cake decorator. I’ve never seen such intricate work firsthand before. She could really be famous if she marketed herself.

“Wow, Lex. These are beautiful. You did all of this by hand?”

She blushes, but I see the pride in her eyes. “Yes. I do everything in here by myself. I do all the baking and I decorate all of the cakes and cookies. You like it?”

“God, baby. I had no idea you were this talented. Those cake people on TV have nothing on you.”

She blushes even harder, “I don’t know about all of that…”

But I cut her off. “No, seriously, baby. This is amazing! This is better than some of the stuff at the awards shows and banquets we attend. You really are amazing. You should be proud. I’m so proud of you!”

“Thank you, Jude. I work hard, but I do it because I love it. Baking and decorating make me happy. Something about seeing the finished product and knowing you’re directly responsible just feels… it feels amazing. But thank you. Knowing you think that really means a lot to me.” She shrugs as she takes in her kitchen.

I pull her in and kiss her, hugging her tight. This woman is so amazing and she’s all mine.

“Ok, well they’re actually delivering some of the stuff to the house this afternoon. I paid more to get delivery today. Not a lot of stuff, but the master bedroom and the kitchen will be set up. The rest will be delivered this week. Would you… would you stay with me, at my place tonight, Lex?” I ask nervously.

She looks at me and smiles. “Yes. I’d love to stay at your place tonight. Besides, Erik has a date.” She wiggles her eyebrows.

“He does, does he? With my realtor?”

She smirks and answers, “Yes. Alec, right?”

I like Alec. He’s a good guy. “Yeah. He’s a great guy. They should have a good time.”

She gets a lost look on her face and shakes her head, as if to clear it before answering. “I hope so. He doesn’t go out as much as he should. He spends more time with me than anyone, but I’m always on him to get out more. He’s too great to stay home. Not to mention he’s gorgeous. I hope they work out. Erik deserves a happily ever after!”

She thinks Erik is gorgeous?! Good thing he’s gay or I might be upset. I decide to let it go.

“Yeah well, I’m sure he’ll appreciate the quiet from us not being there tonight. What time do you close tonight?”

“Uh huh. We close at five on Saturdays.”

“Ok, I’ll be here before that to get you and we’ll go eat before we head to my house. Oh wait… I guess you’ll want to go run by your place to change or grab a few things first, right?” I remember that I need to grab a few things from the hotel to leave at Lexi’s place, too.

“Yes, I am
not
wearing the same underwear two days in a row! Gross. But only the coffeeshop is open tomorrow, so I don’t need to come in. Can we swing by my house so I can pack a small bag?” The look on her face is priceless.

Kissing her nose and checking the time on my phone, I say, “Oh, but it’s ok for me to wear dirty shit?! Huh? Women!” I laugh. “Ok, I’ll pick you up and we’ll go by your house before we eat. Do I get you all day tomorrow then? I have to go. My bed will be at my house in an hour!”

“Shut up, you!” She’s laughing too. “And yes, you get me all night and all day tomorrow. So think real hard about what you’re going to do with me! Now get out of my kitchen. You’re distracting and I’m busy!” She lightly shoves me and pops my ass with a towel.

“I don’t have to take this abuse. I’m gone.” Swooping in to steal a kiss, I smirk at her expression as I walk towards the door. “Stop ogling my ass. I’m not a piece of meat.”

“Who says I’m staring at your ass?”

“I do. I know you.” I stop at the door and turn around.

Yup, she’s watching me. I wink.

“Lex?”

“Yes, Jude?”

“I love you.”

Her smile could light up a room. “I love you too, Jude.”

I smile back. “Good. Now get your sexy ass back to work!”

Before she can answer, I walk out of the kitchen. I’m smiling and whistling, as I wave to Erik. I leave and head to my house to get my furniture and set up for my romantic evening with Lexi.

Lexi

T
he next week flies by. Jude and I are together as often as we can be. We spend every night together, either at his place or mine, though most of the time we’re at his. Erik has gotten pretty involved with Alec, so they normally have our place, and I spend the majority of my nights at Jude’s.

We’ve had dinner with Erik and Alec and Bradi and Micah a couple of times. Jude and Micah seem to have hit it off. Bradi has even stopped threatening him and other than asking for constant details about our sex life, she doesn’t fawn all over him anymore.

During the day, Jude messes with his house, setting up the rooms, and he calls or texts me frequently. He also stops by the shop at least once a day and he picks me up every night after we close.

We’ve been to a show, walked along the Riverfront, and taken a few drives, but we mostly just hang out, spending as much time as we can together, since he’s leaving again in a week.

This weekend is LSU’s Homecoming and we’re supposed to meet up with Erik, Alec, Bradi, Micah, Jessie, Dade, Liam, and Cruz for some tailgating and then catch the game. Alec was able to pull some strings to get us tickets for the game sitting together.

Work is crazy busy and more and more people are booking us for large events. But, I’m looking forward to having a Saturday off to just hang out with everyone and have a good time. It’s been way too long since I’ve done that. And being in public with Jude is both exciting for me and terrifying at the same time.

It’s Friday night and we’re about to close up shop. Our capable employees are going to be opening and closing for us tomorrow, so Erik and I are scrambling to make sure everything is ready for them.

I’ve just filled the cooler with the baked goods for tomorrow, so all they’ll have to do is set them out in the display, and I’m wiping down the glass and counters.

There’s only one person in here and he’s tapping away on his laptop as he sips his iced coffee with his ear buds in.

Erik is filling the napkin and sleeve dispensers as the two employees working tonight refill the coffee beans and syrups for tomorrow.

The bell on the door chimes and Erik and I both look up. It’s Alec. Erik’s face lights up. It’s so good to see. He really is a handsome man. He’s a little older than us at thirty one, but he’s tall and fit. It looks like he takes care of his body. He’s always dressed well, and tonight is no exception. He’s wearing khaki flat front pants and an emerald polo shirt that really brings out his eyes, which are also green. His hair is a dark blond, but he has paler highlights. He has the look of a surfer.

He walks up to the counter and I watch as his hand reaches for Erik’s, and he brushes his knuckles with his fingers.

He looks over and calls out a greeting, “Hey, Lexi. Ready for tomorrow?”

I smile at the affection I see in both men’s eyes. “I certainly am. I haven’t been off on a Saturday in probably two years.” Looking at Erik, I catch his eye. “Hey, I can lock up. Jude should be here in a few minutes anyway. So why don’t you two go ahead and take off.”

Erik looks at me and then at Alec. “You sure, Lexi? We can wait until he gets here.”

I wave them away. “I’m sure. Besides, I’m not alone. These two are going to stay until I lock up anyway, so I’m good. Go ahead. Enjoy your night. We’ll see y’all tomorrow.”

“Ok. See you tomorrow, love.” He blows me a kiss as he grabs his keys from under the counter, and they walk out holding hands.

Alec calls out, “Night, Lexi!”

I finish straightening everything and look at the clock. It’s ten minutes after we’re supposed to close and Jude is not here yet. This is strange.

I see the baristas talking quietly and looking at their watches, so I tell them to go ahead and go, and I lock up behind them.

I call Jude’s cell and it rings and rings before his voicemail comes on, “
Hey it’s Jude. I can’t grab the line right now, because obviously I’m busy. If it’s important, leave me a message and I’ll return the call once I’m free and able.”

I listen for the beep and leave him a message. “Hey, baby. It’s Lex. I thought you were picking me up tonight, but maybe I got it wrong. Anyway, I’ve closed up the shop, but I have no ride home, so call me back when you get this. I don’t want to have to call Erik to leave his date to come grab me.”

I wait and wait. Half an hour later, I send a text.

“Lexi

Where are you? Is everything ok?

I can’t just hang around here anymore, so I’m calling Bradi to come grab me and bring me home. Call me later. I’m worried.”

I call Bradi and she answers on the first ring. “Hey, chicka. What’s up? What are y’all doing tonight?”

I sigh and say, “Hey girl. Can you come grab me from the shop? I thought Jude was picking me up and Erik has a date with Alec. I don’t have my car. So if you’re free, can you come grab me, and bring me home?”

“What do you mean you thought Jude was picking you up? Did he just not show up? Did something happen? Where is he?” She’s throwing out questions rapidly.

“I don’t know. He didn’t answer my call and I got no response to my text, so I have no idea. Maybe he wasn’t supposed to pick me up tonight. I don’t know. I just need a ride home, so can you get me girl?” My mind is racing with thoughts of him in an accident or some other horrible scenario and I’m almost in tears.

“Yeah, girl. I’ll be there in five minutes. Stay inside with the door locked. Calm down. I’m sure there’s a reasonable explanation.” I hear her grabbing keys and she’s whispering to someone. I assume it’s Micah.

“Ok, thanks girl. I’m sure you’re right. See you in a few.” I hang up and drop my head into my hands, trying to hold back the tears.

Seven minutes later, Bradi and Micah are knocking on the door. I grab my purse and unlock it, before setting the alarm, and locking it back.

Bradi pulls me into a hug. “Nothing from him yet?”

I sniffle. “No. Nothing. I don’t know what’s going on and I’m worried. What if something happened to him?”

Micah sets me in the car and hugs me. “I’m sure he’s fine, Lexi. Let’s just get you home.”

Out of the corner of my eye I see the look they give each other over the top of the car.

What the hell is going on?

I stare out of the window on the ride to my house just running through scenarios in my head. Did he wreck his bike? Did he just get so wrapped up in the band, he forgot? Is he working in the house and misplaced his phone?

We pull up and Bradi opens the door to let me out. “Do you want us to come in? We can hang with you. We’re just staying in tonight anyway.”

I shake my head at her and say, “No, y’all go on home. Thanks for getting me. I appreciate it. I’ll see you tomorrow though. I’m going to bathe and just try to go to bed. Hopefully he’ll call me soon and let me know what’s up. Thanks!”

They give each other another look and Bradi hugs me again. “Ok. Well call if you need me. I mean it. I can be here in like ten minutes! Love you girl. Everything will be ok.”

“Will do. Thanks, chick.” I walk up and unlock the door; they wait until I get inside and close it, before pulling out of the driveway.

I check my phone one more time and at the silence, drop it on my dresser, and head to the bathroom.

I spend about an hour in the Jacuzzi tub and only let the water out once it starts to cool. By now, I’m over being upset and worrying and I’m just pissed. Even if Jude was busy, I would think I was important enough to warrant a phone call!

I towel off and walk into the bedroom with the towel wrapped around me. My phone is vibrating on the dresser.

Walking over to it, I glance down and see “
Sexy Rock God
” on the display.

Hmm, guess he’s not dead after all
.

I ignore it and walk to my closet to get dressed.

Once I’m settled into comfy pajamas and my hair is pulled up messily on top of my head, I grab my phone, and sit on the bed. Unlocking the phone, I see I have three missed calls and four texts from Jude.

I click on the texts,

“Sexy Rock God

God, Baby, I’m sorry! Where are you?”

“Sexy Rock God

Lexi, I’m sorry. I lost track of time. Call me back.”

“Sexy Rock God

Baby? Are you mad? Please pick up the phone or text me back. I’m so sorry.”

“Sexy Rock God

Dammit, Lex! I’m sorry! Pick up the damn phone!”

Grimacing, I close the phone and place it on my chest, as I think about how to compose a response. How dare he get pissy with me when he’s the one who stood me up!

It rings. Without looking, I answer it. I know who it is. “What?”

“Lex? What do you mean ‘
What?’
I’ve been calling and texting you for an hour.” He sounds exasperated.