by Karli James
“Maybe I’ll pass. That’s all a bit too much for me, siblings, and siblings, and more siblings.” Jude sighs with relief.
“Thank fuck.” Liam is glaring at Nina.
“Neens, you can’t just find some guy for a hook up.”
“And why the hell not? You do it all the time.”
“I do not, and that’s beside the point. I’m me. You’re you.”
“What the…are you high? There isn’t a double standard here Liam. You’re putting up more of a fuss over me finding my big O than Jude is. You’re not my fucking brother, or my father, you don’t get to tell me what to do. You have zero say in who I have sex with.” Liam’s jaw clenches and I swear I hear some teeth crack. I look over at Jude who is silently laughing. I lean in to whisper,
“So, it’s like that, huh?” Jude high fives me.
“So much like that. They’re idiots.”
“Oh my gosh! They’re Rachel and Heath!”
“Kindaaa. Yes.”
“All right you meddler, here’s your beer.”
“Who’s a meddler?”
I turn my head to find Allison standing on the other side of Jude with a devious grin on her face.
“Hi Allison, this is Jude. Jude the Meddler. Jude this is my best friend Allison.”
“Hey! I thought I was your BFF.”
“Of course you are, hon. But Allison is my best GIRL friend.”
“I’ll allow it.” We’re both laughing, and giving each other cheesy grins when we hear Allison groan into her hands.
“Oh, you two are just so cute, aren’t you? You’re going to be super annoying. I was really happy for you, Kara, but now I might need you to get me a shot so I can deal with all...this.” I roll my eyes at Allison, and Jude pipes up.
“I like you, already. So blunt, and a little bit mean. I’ll probably write you some day. So, Allison, what do you do here?” Allison looks over at me like, “Who is this guy?” Yeah, I know girl. Just let it happen.
“I’m a hostess at Stir at night, but during the day I run a blog, and do some freelance proofing jobs here and there.”
“Seriously? That’s awesome. I might have to take you up on some proofing services if you’re interested.”
“Sure! Just get my number or email from Kara.”
“Sounds good.”
“It was great meeting you, hopefully sometime we can all hang out when Kara and I aren’t working. This job is really getting in the way of my social life.” Jude is laughing, and I’m happy he’s getting along so well with my friend. “Alright, Kar, I just got a fresh table so I better go before Dave has my ass. I’ll be back when I can.”
“Thank you for behaving.”
“Only because I love you so much.”
“Noted.”
We watch her flounce off to her new table, and Jude turns his head and gives me a smirk.
“What?”
“She’s a wild child, isn’t she?” I snicker.
“She is, yes. I told her to be good when she met you. I can’t always promise a guarantee that her mouth won’t go off before her brain catches up. But I do love her.” I set Nina’s Long Island, and the guys’ beers on the bar top. “Alright, guys and gal, here’s your beverages. Have fun tonight. I need to go make my rounds.”
I walk back around, make some more drinks, catch Jude’s eye on more than one occasion and toss him flirty winks. Me. Making flirty winks. What is happening to me?
Chapter 13
Jude
I watch my little Presh work the bar, and finally glance over and notice her brother Drew watching me, watching her. Wellll shit. Better get this over with. I walk over, and put my hand out to introduce myself.
“Hi, I’m Jude. Your sister is amazing and I want to date the shit out of her.” His lips barely twitch. Tough crowd.
“Drew. I’ve noticed an extra pep in her step, so I don’t immediately dislike you. However, don’t screw it up, because if you piss me off I’ll find a legal way to tear your ass up.”
“Noted.” He nods, and smirks.
“You got balls, I’ll give you that.”
“Ha, well, I’m not one for bullshit. I like her. A lot. And I will continue to remind her of that, and how awesome she is, for as long as she needs, as much as she needs.”
“So, you get it then?”
“Her douchebag ex?”
“Yeah. Fucking Craig.”
“Ew. His name is Craig? No wonder.” At that I actually get a chuckle.
“I know, right?” I like this guy.
“But yeah, I get it. At least from the tiny bit she’s told me. She’ll open up more when she’s ready I’m sure, but in the meantime I’m here to be whatever it is she needs me to be.” Drew is studying me seriously.
“Jude, how long have you known Kara?”
“Not long at all. Barely, actually. Why?”
“Well, ‘barely’ is a very short amount of time to fall in love with someone.” My eyes grow wide and I feel panic slick up my back and into my throat, but Drew continues on. “Don’t worry man, if you haven’t figured it out yet, you will. And your secret is safe with me.” Holy shit. Is this guy for real? What is happening? I feel so exposed, and so…Love? It’s not love. Not yet. I mean yes, I’ve self-proclaimed that she is it for me, that I pretty much want to marry her and make babies with her, and I hope they get her dimple, but that doesn’t mean I love her yet. That would be insane. I do like her a lot though. More than a lot.
Shut up, it’s not love yet. It can’t be. That’s stupid. I just know she’s like my person and stuff. I can’t explain it. Stop questioning me. This is stupid. Drew is stupid. I won’t tell Kara that because apparently, he’s supposed to be this really smart lawyer and everything, but obviously he cheated on the LSATs.
I’m shaking my head at him, myself, the whole situation when I realize the people at the are beginning to cheer, and clap. I look over to Kara behind the bar and she’s putting on quite the show with her shakers. I’ve never seen this bit of her. Yes, she handed me my ass when I scoffed at the notion that there was an actual difference between bartenders and mixologists, but I still didn’t quite buy it.
However, this girl right here? She’s a damn entertainer. I’m finding myself glued to her every hand movement, swivel of her hips, and of course that dimple that pops out when she’s truly enjoying herself. She’s tossing up the shakers and catching them flawlessly, then lines up a row of shots as she pours the right amount into every single one of them without wasting a single drop. Clean, beautiful, boozy perfection. It. Is. So. Hot.
“She’s pretty amazing, isn’t she?” Drew is watching alongside me.
“Yeah, she is. Last time I was in here, well, that was an apology mission and there was none of this cocktail showdown she’s got going on.”
“Apology mission? Do I need to be concerned?”
“No. Look, I have a little sister too, I get it. Of course, you’re going to be worried, but I promise you, I only have the best intentions toward Kara.” He nods.
“I believe you. So, you’ve never seen her do all this crazy stuff then huh? She’s talented, and she often gets side contracts for private parties so she can put on these little shows for people. We couldn’t be more opposite; I’m a lawyer who works this serious job, helping troubled situations. My sister literally gets paid to get people shitfaced. Sometimes I can’t get over it. I’m proud of her though. Her future bar will be amazing someday.” What’s this little nugget of info?
“She wants to own her own bar? How did I not know this?”
“Well, you barely know her Jude.”
“Oh, ok. I see the family resemblance now. You asshole.” This earned me the full laugh. I like Drew. Clearly, he’s a genius if he’s laughing with me. I bet he scored the highest on his LSATs.
“Does she have a goal as to when she wants to make this venture happen?”
“I think she’s hoping that she’ll be able to make it happen within the next couple of
years. I’ve offered to be an investor when the time is right.”
“Good brother.”
“Talented sister who’s going to make me a decent profit.”
“Yeah, I can see that. I’ll have to ask her about all this—maybe she’ll let me invest as well someday.”
“Oh yeah? What do you do?”
“I’m a writer – published author, and I’ve made a few bucks.”
“Nice. What do you write?”
“Yeah so, I’m going to politely decline to answer that question for now, but I promise to allow Kara to fill you in. When I’m not around.” He raises a brow at me.
“You’re a weird one, aren’t you?” I chuckle.
“A bit, yeah.” He smirks.
We continue watching Kara, until I see my sister and Liam having what appears to be an argument in the corner. I sigh heavily and pull a drag off my beer. Nina’s hair is whipping about as she chews Liam’s ass for something, and Drew notices.
“That little blonde spitfire belong to you in some capacity?” I laugh as I nod.
“That’s Nina, my little sister.”
“Damn sisters. Total PITAs.”
“Thank you. Yes. That’s my best friend she’s bitching at for Lord knows what at this point. We all grew up together. Lately it seems their arguing and antagonistic bullshit toward each other has increased to level ten, squared.”
“Hmm, interesting.”
“Yup.”
We both watch as Nina continues her rant, and Liam looks ready to punch a wall. All I can do is shake my head. These crazy kids. I look back over at Drew and notice him glaring at someone. When I follow his gaze, I notice it’s Allison and she’s smiling up at a customer at the bar. Huh. Me thinks I spy a couple more idiots.
“That a problem for you over there?” Drew snaps his head in my direction, and the look of pure horror on his face has me choking on my beer. Okaaaay, maybe I was off on this one.
“I can’t stand that girl. I do not get their friendship.”
“Opposites attract? I don’t know, she was perfectly pleasant with me. Seems nice.”
“She’s not nice. I mean, fine, she probably is. But she’s…girly.”
“Uuhh, Drew. I’m not sure if you noticed the tits on her, but she is in fact, a girl.”
“Smart ass. And don’t comment on someone else’s tits when you’re with my sister. Look, Allison…she doesn’t just walk. She glides and saunters. She writes about fashion and make up and first dates. I’m pretty sure her favorite color is pink. She’s never serious. She laughs loud.”
“Uh huh. I’m still confused about what the actual problem is.”
“Jude, do you know what glitter is?”
“Of course.”
“Okay, Allison is human glitter. She’s sparkly, and sure, she pretties up a room. The problem is with glitter is that once it’s there, you can’t get rid of it. Years later, you’ll look down and find a spec of it and wonder what the hell you did in this life to deserve pink fucking glitter stuck to your otherwise immaculate life. She doesn’t know when to quit. She’s glitter. I really hate glitter.”
“You hate it, or maybe you kind of never want that glitter to leave, and that’s really what pisses you off?”
“Don’t go there. Nope. Absolutely not. I want that shit vacuumed up, power washed, dusted, bleached, all of it. Use all the cleaning supplies.”
“Don’t worry about it man, if you haven’t figure it out yet, you will.” Drew shoots a glare over at me as Kara meanders back toward us, bringing along a fresh beer for me. She looks between the two of us, a wary gleam in her eyes.
“You guys good over here?”
“Yeah Presh, sorry to tell you, but your bro might have taken your BFF slot.”
“Such bullshit. Drew! I told you to be nice, not to sweep him off his feet and steal him from me. Good men are hard to come by. Give him back!”
“You’re both ridiculous. I see why this is happening. Kar, I’m out. I love you. I like your guy. Be good.”
“Always, and oh hey Drew, I want you to think about what I said earlier okay? Text me soon so we can grab some food and talk.”
“You got it. Love you.”
“Love you too.” Drew shakes my hand and heads out.
“I like your brother.”
“I’m so glad, because if you hadn’t…honestly this would have been over before it really began.”
“Quit trying to break up with me before I even ask you to officially go steady with me.”
“You’re the one who traded in my BFF card for my brother’s!”
“Maybe because I want more than that with you.” I smirk. Her cheeks blush.
“You’re an ass for saying that to me when I’m behind this bar and can’t do what I want to do.” I lean forward across the bar so I’m eye level with her.
“Oh yeah? And what do you want to do, Kar? Tell Jude what you want.” She licks her lips as she looks at my own, leans in further and whispers:
“Remember earlier today? Against my door?” I gulp a bit.
“Yeah…”
“I want some more.” Ding, ding, ding. There goes my dick. Right on time.
“What time does your shift end?” She’s laughing at me as my balls turn blue; little minx.
“Not for another hour. Drink up Jude, have a good time. Maybe go play ref between your sister and Liam; they’re being idiots.” And then she bounces off, and I do as she says. Someone’s gotta play ref and these two need a serious time out.
Chapter 14
Kara
It’s closing time and I grab my stuff and the keys from Jude, who apparently took my advice and drank up. Nina and Liam aren’t even looking at each other at this point and I’m rolling my eyes at all three of them.
“Okay guys, let’s get you all home. I’ll be the taxi tonight and then Jude can just bring me to work tomorrow. Sound good?” Drunk nods all around.
“Kara, you’re our favorite person ever!” Nina is so drunk.
“Aww, thanks girl. You’re my favorite Nina ever.”
“Do you know lots of Ninas?”
“No, but even if I did, you’d still be my fave.”
“Aww. I like you. I like her Jude. Keep this one. Don’t mess it up!”
“Got it. On it. Not gonna.” Oh Lord, these goons.
“Man, you’re already so whipped.” I look over at Liam who is shaking his head in disgust.
“Aww, Liam, are you jealous?”
“Hell. No. I just got rid of a leech of a woman and I am NOT dating anyone ever again. Ever. You’re all too pretty. You trick us with it. I mean look at you Kara, all golden hair and dimples and booty—It’s a trap!” I am laughing at his absurdness when Jude shoves a hand into Liam’s chest.
“Did you just comment on her booty? Dude. Never again. She’s mine. Go find your own booty-trap. Hahaha, get it? Booty trap…like booby-trap…no? No one? COME. ON.”
“You guys are both idiots. Get your asses in the car so I can go home and get these shoes off. I’m exhausted.” Everyone scrambles inside and starts rattling off addresses. I drop Nina off first and I look in the rear-view mirror to study Liam as he watches with his face pretty much kissing the glass until Nina makes it through the front door. Dummies.
Liam is next, and then finally I’m pulling into our apartment complex. Jude’s fingers have been intertwined with mine and our joined hands have rested on his thigh. It’s been a private, sweet moment in the front of the car. Now we’re here and I feel anticipation dance inside my chest at the thought of finally getting him alone. He’s rather impaired, not sure how far we’re going to get, but I wouldn’t mind a good ole fashioned make out session on someone’s couch.
Jude turns his head to softly gaze at me. He’s got this lopsided grin and he’s just so adorable. And tipsy.
“Hey champ, how ya feelin?”
“So good. I got booze flowing through me, prettiest girl I’ve ever seen by my side, and I get to take thes
e jeans off in a minute, which I gotta tell ya, Presh, are cutting off the cock circulation tonight.”
“Oh dear. Come on drunky, let’s get you inside so you can get comfy. I’ll head over to my place to freshen up and throw on my own comfies and then I’ll come back, okay? We can watch a movie…or something. This girl needs some wine at the very least.” We stumble to his door and he suddenly stops and gently holds my face.
“You’re going to come back for sure, right? ‘Cause I wanna kiss you and stuff. You’re so pretty. Kar, your eyes are like hazel, but also match those coppery freckles on your nose, and in your hair, and…Presh did you know I love freckles? I wanna lick ‘em.” Oh my gosh, he’s killing me.
“Jude, you’re the sweetest and the drunkest right now. I’ll let you lick my freckles later. Let’s get you in the house for now though. Maybe have some water. Like a lot of it. He leans down and lays the sweetest, most gentle kiss on my lips before that lopsided grin returns.
“Okay, Boopsies.” He bops my nose with the tip of his finger.
“How do you even remember my name with all these nicknames you have for me?”
“I’ll never forget the name your parents gave you, but you are my Presh, and my Boo Bear, and my Boopsies, and whatever else strikes my fancy when I look at you and you’re just being all cute and stuff. You evoke nick names Kar, deal with it.”
“You use words like ‘evoke’ when you’re drunk?”
“Romance. Writer. Successful. Author. Know it. Embrace it. I’m smart and saucy.”
“And I am dying at you. You’re somethin’ alright, Jude Lawson. Okay, so here we are. Can you make it to the bathroom and bedroom to change and all that?”
“I can! I will succeed. Hurry back please.”
“Of course, shmoopies.”
“Ah hah! There ya go Kar, pickin’ up the nick name game. I likey.”
“Oh my gosh, bye for now. I’ll be back.”
I head over to my apartment, quickly shower off, and dress. Yoga pants and a tee is all the effort I’m putting into tonight. Sorry Jude. Too tired to care. I snag my bottle of wine, my keys, and head back over to Jude’s apartment.