9. Chapter 9
Chapter 9
Girl, just have fun! Let loose a little and maybe you’ll get lucky ;) Don’t over think it. Love you 3
Right, don’t over think it , Jules thought to herself as she rolled her eyes at Winnie’s abuse of emojis. She’d been this way since middle school, scribbling hearts and smiley faces all over her notebooks. Jules loved how supportive her best friend was about everything, especially this. It made the whole Miles situation feel less serious than it would have otherwise.
Jules shot a quick text back to apologize for ditching them, promising to make it up, before putting her phone away and resigning herself to do what Winnie said: relax and see where the night took her.
Pulling into the gastropub’s parking lot, they realized they weren’t the only ones looking for something stronger. The place was packed. Miles had to cruise around back to find an open parking spot.
“Is it always this busy?”
“Not usually. Do you want to go somewhere else?” Miles jerked his head to her.
“No, let’s go in. It’ll be fun." She swallowed her nerves. Tonight might test her, but she was determined to make the most of it, regardless.
The music blared some kind of country song that was popular a few years ago as they stepped through the front entrance. There had to be at least a dozen people on the dance floor performing a line dance she recognized from high school gym class. The bar stools and tables were all full and others stood in groups holding glasses of beer or liquor as they chatted with each other, forming cliques of all sizes.
Jules glanced at Miles. “Should we do a lap to see if anything opens up?”
“I’ve got a better idea.” He took her hand, leading her through the throngs of people, some more rambunctious than others, to the back corner stage. It was empty except for a stool, a round table against the wall, and a mic stand.
“Stay here for a second. I’ll be right back,” he said, disappearing around the corner through what she thought might be the kitchen doors. A moment later he returned, carrying an identical stool to the one on stage. Setting it down next to its mate, he positioned the small table in front of them.
“There, best table in the house." He held his hand out in a gesture for her to step up on the stage and take a seat.
“Are you sure this is alright?” Jules asked, looking for the host to reprimand them.
“I think Jax and Roxy will give us a pass if I play a song or two tonight.”
“But you don’t have your guitar.” Jules’ heart rate jumped at the thought of him singing while she sat next to him on stage. Now she was nervous for a whole other reason.
Sensing she was uncomfortable, Miles folded her hands in his to reassure her. “I keep one here, but why don’t we get a drink and some food first? Then we can feel it out.”
Food was a good call. They didn’t eat much besides popcorn at the festival and her stomach now threatened to make unattractive noises loud enough to be heard over the music and loud conversations happening all around them.
Just then, a very pregnant woman with dark braided hair that reached her waist walked up to the stage, balancing a tray full of plates. Miles jumped up and wrapped her in a big hug, grabbing the large tray from her as Roxy’s steel grey eyes landed on Jules. Her skin was a beautiful honey mocha color that contrasted her bright eyes.
“Miles, I didn’t know you were coming tonight. And this must be the illusive Jules I’ve been hearing so much about,” she said to them both.
“Sure is. Jules, meet Roxy,” Miles introduced as Jules shook Roxy’s hand. “We just left the Heritage Days festival. Thought we could use a proper drink and some food.”
“It’s so nice to finally meet you, Jules. Sorry it’s so crowded. Don’t be surprised if he ropes you into a duet."
Jules pulled a sour face and laughed. She instantly liked Roxy.
They both ordered a drink with some truffle fries and a goat cheese flatbread to share. Miles said it was his favorite.
“Goat cheese flatbread in Riverbend. Never thought I’d live to see the day,” Jules teased.
“You’d be surprised at how much people around here love this place, especially the food. It didn’t catch on right away, you know how this town is slow to change,” he explained. “But after the Riverbend Chronicle ran a feature on the renovations, people gave it a chance. Before Jax and Roxy knew it, they had to hire a full staff just to keep up with demand.”
“I’m happy it’s working out for them. The tale of the failing restaurant is all too common now days.”
“Jax and Roxy are not afraid of failure. Never have been. When I met them in Chicago years ago, they were running a pet spa business out of a warehouse in the commercial district. Did pretty well, too, until they had enough money to buy their own restaurant, which was always Roxy’s dream.”
Jules was in awe; taking risks wasn’t in her nature. Now, though, she couldn’t help but wonder what her life might have been like if she’d pursued her passion for cooking and went to culinary school or worked her way up in the restaurant world. Would she be happier or maybe more fulfilled? A heaviness settled in her gut.
“How long have you known them?” she asked, trying to focus back on the conversation.
“Oh, over a decade now, I guess. I met them when I moved back to Chicago after—” he paused, “high school.”
“Ah, I see. Sounds like they’ve been great friends, then."
She didn’t want to talk about that period of their lives. Not here, not in this moment at least. Luckily, she didn’t need to worry. Right then, Jax showed up with their beers, winking at Jules and saying a quick hello before rushing back to man the busy bar.
After that, the conversation stayed lighthearted as Miles talked about his students and the renovations on his house and Jules told him about her job in D.C. They were enjoying each other’s company but steering clear of anything that reminded them of the past. It was a delicate dance, one they were both expertly executing. After all, they had years to catch up on.
Later, the night calmed, and the crowd thinned with the noise level lowering enough that they didn’t need to shout over the table anymore. After eating, Jules excused herself to go to the restroom. Strolling back into the main area, a familiar song floated over the speakers. Jules stopped in her tracks.
On stage, Miles sang “Sweet Disposition” by Temper Trap. Even with her nerves dulled by the alcohol, she felt a constricting sensation crawl up her body. She hadn’t heard it in years, but she could still recall the first time Miles played it for her. It was after school, on a warm fall day. They were laying in the grass field next to the school, passing time as teenagers do when he placed his headphones over her years and told her to listen. She was mesmerized. The lyrics spoke to her. From then on, she’d always thought of it as theirs. But after prom, it became a hurtful reminder of what she’d lost, and she avoided it at all costs.
Jules' throat constricted as she made eye contact with Miles across the room. He was singing to her, again, and the rest of the room faded into the background. It was happening, again.
For a moment, she felt light-headed. It had been years since she’d been able to listen to this song with anything but a heavy sadness, but now she felt lighter somehow. The lyrics clicked into place when he sang them, like listening to a great song you hadn’t heard in a long time that reminded you of a past life.
Jules found an empty chair next to her and sat down without breaking eye contact. They stayed locked together in that moment until the end of the song, when Miles bent around to take a drink of his water. Finally, Jules let out her breath, pressure releasing from her shoulders and neck. She didn’t know what to think.
Her pulse racing, Jules couldn’t keep her eyes off Miles as he tidied up the stage. She loved seeing him now as a grown man but hearing him sing their song brought back the young man she used to love, the one she’d counted on for four years, right until he’d broken her trust. The rapid switch in perspective left her confused but intrigued to know more about the man he’d grown into. Maybe she’d been too harsh on him all those years ago? It was hard to tell now that they were twelve years removed and all that remained was a haze of unreliable memories.
Jax announced last call as Jules made her way back to the stage, raw emotions still just below the surface. They didn’t say anything as Miles packed up his guitar. They didn’t need to.
The place was almost empty now, so they relocated to the bar. What looked like a few regulars lingered at the other end, looking to get one last round in before Jax kicked them out. Roxy pulled up another stool.
“Done for the night?” Miles asked, tipping his head to Roxy.
“Heck yes. My ankles are so swollen you can’t tell where my feet end and legs begin,” she said, looking exhausted.
“You’re a trooper. I think I’d be on the floor even if I weren’t growing a small child,” Jules said with a genuine smile.
Roxy laughed. “Well, this place is like my first child. Very demanding and rarely lets me sleep, yet I still love it.”
“I suppose that’s true,” Jules responded, not knowing what that must feel like.
Roxy turned to Miles. “Speaking of demanding, I was going to ask if you might be free for the Bear Ball in two weeks? It’s on Saturday. We could use some help getting ready for it and would love it if you could play a while after the dinner service.”
“Of course, I was already planning to attend so I could drum up more donations for the band, but I’d love to play as well. I can even bring a few more musicians for a trio.”
The Bear Ball was the school district’s annual fundraiser for the arts and music departments and had been a tradition for decades. Each year, the event sponsors tried to outdo the previous year’s event, growing it into a swanky gala-style night, even for Riverbend standards. Now, attendees dressed up in suits and long gowns for a fancy dinner and the opportunity to hobnob with the mayor and school superintendent.
Tickets weren’t cheap, and this year, the pressure was even more intense to elevate the night because funding for the programs was at a historic low and they needed donations. Miles mentioned that the stakes were high for not only his band but the entire arts program. That’s why he had suggested hosting it at the Golden Kernel instead of the community center, which didn’t have as much capacity.
Rubbing her belly, Roxy joked she hoped her second child didn’t decide to make an early entrance before the big night. There was too much to do and so much food to cook. Jax joined them after the last of the customers had filed out.
Jules sipped a glass of water as they all chatted, filling each other in on their respective evenings. Roxy told them about the couple who were caught hooking up in the men’s restroom earlier that night. Turns out their spouses had been waiting for them at the bar when the woman’s husband got anxious and walked in on them. Apparently, it caused quite a scene and gave the staff some entertainment for the evening. While the they talked, Miles found a reason to touch Jules either on the knee, arm, or squeeze her side when she poked fun at him every few minutes. It was distracting in the best way.
After a while, the conversation shifted to Jules and what she did in D.C., which seemed to fascinate Roxy and Jax, although made Jules feel like an uppity fake in comparison.
“You know, Jules is an excellent cook,” Miles quipped, draping his arm over the back of her chair as Jules’ cheeks went hot. “She’s been cooking with her Italian grandma a lot since she came home, but it’s always been in her blood.”
“Oh, really? That’s wonderful!” Roxy said with a glint in her eye that suggested she was being genuine.
“It’s just a hobby I picked up when I was young. My grandma grew up in the restaurant industry. Her father owned a place in Chicago years ago.”
“On the north side?” Jax asked.
“I think so. He sold it decades ago, so I never visited.”
“That neighborhood has changed so much, but I used to love going to the markets near there. So many more options than what we can get fresh here,” Roxy said, twirling her hands in the apron that she’d yet to take off. “It’s my one big complaint about living here!”
Jules couldn’t help but notice how comfortable they all seemed, like they all belonged. She was beginning to feel at ease, too, drinking the last of her water. After a few more minutes of talk about the gastropub and Roxy’s pregnancy woes, Miles and Jules headed towards the door. The night air was crisp, with just a hint of a chill. It felt glorious on Jules’ face as she took a large breath to steady herself once outside. Now is when she’d find out where the night would take her: back to the twin bed waiting for her at her grandma’s or perhaps another bed?
Feeling unsure of herself, Jules lingered on the front patio, pretending to check her phone to kill some time.
“Is Rosa alright?” Miles asked.
“Oh yes, I’m sure she’s fine. She texted about an hour ago saying she was heading to bed." Teenage-like butterflies swept through her stomach, which she hadn’t felt in years.
“Well, if you don’t have to go back right away, maybe you’d want to come see my new place?” He tilted his head to the side, eyebrows raised in that sexy way of his. So nonchalant but full of meaning.
Jules managed a steady and confident, “Sure. I’d like that,” before following him to the car, grateful she at least sounded in control, although her hands trembled in anticipation.
The house looked completely different from the last time she saw it years ago. Gone were the garden gnomes that used to litter the yard. Instead, the luscious grass was neatly manicured, with flower beds full of trimmed bushes and large rocks lining the front entrance. The once-yellow siding had been replaced with clean white wooden slats that contrasted against the black front door and windowpanes. It looked both modern and classical, much like Miles himself.
“Wow, this looks beautiful. You did all of this?” Jules asked, sitting in the driveway, gaping at the house.
“Mostly, but I had some help from people around town. It’s still a work in progress, but I’m happy with the way it’s turning out. It’s finally feeling like mine.”
“You should be proud.”
“Thanks. I think I am.”
Stepping inside the front door, a warm furry animal wrapped itself around Jules’ ankles.
“This must be Sir-Toots-A-Lot,” she said, bending down to run her hands over his soft fur as he purred.
“The one and only. Though, I’m surprised he’s here and not hiding under the couch like he usually does when people come into the house. He must have a good feeling about you,” he teased.
Miles gave Jules a quick tour of the house as the cat followed behind. The front living room was tastefully decorated, with modern touches like sleek brass floor lamps and a black leather couch that faced a brick fireplace, with a TV mounted above. A guitar and saxophone case sat next to the sofa. Just off the living room was a well-appointed dining space that opened into an airy kitchen with white and light oak cabinets.
After checking out the guest bedrooms and hall bath, they made their way down to the last door on the right, his bedroom. As soon as Miles pushed the door open, the sweet and musky scent she’d always associated with Miles wafted into the hallway. The room was larger than the others, with an updated bathroom off to the right and a large, hand-carved bedframe holding a king mattress anchored to the middle in front of a row of windows. It felt cozy, although the ceiling soared above. As Jules’ eyes swept across the room, she became acutely aware of Miles standing closely behind her, breath warm on her neck.
“This is a nice room,” she said in a low voice, frozen in place.
“Thanks." He lightly ran his hand up the back of Jules’ arm, closing the distance between them. The hairs on her skin rose at his touch. Every sense seemed to heighten, slowing down time. Wrapping his other hand low around her waist, Miles drew Jules back into him, resting his lips in the crook of her neck.
“Is this alright?” he murmured into her.
“Yes,” she whispered back, turning to press the front of her body to his, palms on his chest.
“Good, because I don’t want to stop."
He ran his hands up her neck, fingers laced into her hair, cradling her head. Their foreheads rested against one another for a long moment as their breathing grew heavy and in sync. Jules’ entire body buzzed with need. She couldn’t stop even if she wanted to. The heat coming from him felt so good, she melted into his grasp as his mouth covered hers. The kiss was deep and intense, her body responding without conscious thought. Before she knew it, the backs of her upper thighs pressed against the bed.
Slowly, Miles’ hand drew up her side, lifting her shirt. His hand was rough, yet warm and confident, sending a thrill through her lower belly. He stepped back, looking her in the eyes as he lifted the shirt over her head. His eyes, heavy with want, penetrated whatever guards she still had up. Deliberately, Jules ran the tips of her fingers under Miles’ shirt, slowly feeling his taut muscles all the way as she lifted the hem and removed it.
For a second, they stood there holding each other’s gaze before it became too much, and they collapsed onto the bed in a flurry of gasps and rushed movements to remove the rest of the clothes keeping them apart. Naked and burning with desire, Jules asked Miles to get a condom, which he quickly produced from his nightstand. Rolling it slowly down his large and ready shaft, she knew deep down tonight was inevitable from the moment they laid eyes on each other at the school. It felt more real than anything she’d experienced since they’d last done this, and that scared her.
Miles hesitated above Jules before she felt him fill her, losing herself in the strong and rhythmic movement. Miles expertly pulsed, sending pleasure through her entire body as he whispered in her ear that he’d dreamt about this. Her body tightened around him, increasing their pace.
After a few intense moments, Miles wrapped his right arm under Jules’ waist and flipped them around, allowing Jules to straddle him. They stilled for a second before Jules ran her hands over his stomach and up his chiseled chest, never breaking eye contact. She pressed her lips to his wet mouth, enjoying the salty taste, and could feel her nipples rub against his skin. Miles’ rough hands clasped on her hips, gently rocking her back and forth until the pleasure became almost unbearable.
As if on cue, they both gave way to a sensation so intense it took their breath. Their bodies pushed together, holding onto to each other in fear of floating away.
Lightheaded and satisfied, they lay side by side, foreheads touching as they waited for their heartbeats to return to normal. For the first time since leaving D.C., the voice inside Jules’ head was silent, peace drowning her thoughts.
“That was…,” Jules started.
“Amazing?” Miles said, opening his eyes to look at her.
“Yes," she breathed. It was something.