Chapter 36 – Jude
Chapter Thirty-Six
JUDE
It didn’t take any convincing to explain that I wanted to go lay down and rest my eyes in the dark for a little bit before dinner.
I did, but I could see the tension continuing to grow in Mabel before she finally cracked and rushed downstairs herself.
The frantic energy that no one else seemed to notice wasn’t as intense as it had been that night I arrived at the cabin but my gut still churned thinking about how upset she was.
Was it my fault?
Probably.
I had not expected for Mabel to cling to me like a koala when I checked on her or press such a sweet little kiss just below my irritated eye.
I’m complaining in any way, shape or form.
There’s a little flash of worry that someone else would come downstairs but I’d been sure to close Mabel’s door, something she had forgotten to do.
Watching her body wiggle as she kicked and screamed did something to me.
“Hey, hey. I’m okay. Are you?”
Mabel lets out a little huff of air against my neck that I’m entirely sure how to interpret. Her arms loosen a fraction. I don’t want to let her go, and run my fingers up and down her spine with the hope that it would provide comfort either way.
“I’m better with you here.” Her confession was quiet and I can hear a little annoyance in her tone.
“I’ve been given a clean bill of health from Mama D. I’m still feeling a little irritated so I was going to go lay down and keep my eyes closed until dinner was done.”
“That makes sense.”
Nothing else to really say but not being ready to leave, I offered a short hum and return my focus to running my fingers up and down her spine.
“Do you...do you want to lay down in here?” With me. The words were left unspoken but we both knew what she was offering and, hell, I wanted to say yes but I knew I couldn’t. Not with everyone awake, anybody could come downstairs looking for one of us at any time.
I knew that would just lead to more anxiety for Mabel.
“I think I should hide out in my room for a little bit, try to make it look somewhat lived in. Especially if you still wanted me to be back here tonight?”
“Yeah, I do want that.”
“Me too, Trouble.”
It doesn’t make leaving her any easier. Eventually, we disentangle. Mabel presses another soft kiss just under my eye. I returned it with a slightly less soft kiss to her pouty lips. That will have to hold us over until we all go to bed in a few hours.
“Jude! Dinner!” Elle’s voice echoes down the stairs of the cabin and bounces off the walls before assaulting my eardrums.
I was very nearly asleep, not now. Nope, now my body’s borderline fight or flight and my heart’s racing quicker than when Mabel dropped to her knees and put my cock in her mouth.
Not the image I need in my head as I head up to dinner with Mabel and all of her family, including her brother who hates me and almost half-blinded me with a shuttlecock a few hours ago. I pull the washcloth off my face and blinking a few times to test my vision.
Time to return to the party, I swing open my door and see a bright orange stick note stuck to the door of my room.
I’ll come to you tonight, Muscles
xoxo, Trouble
Leaving it on the outside of my door where anyone can see is risky but I much prefer this note to the last one that Mabel left me. Tucking the note into the pocket of my shorts, I hurry to join the Warrens for dinner. I really don’t need to hear Elle scream again.
By the time I make it to the dining area, everyone is already seated in basically the same arrangement as earlier. The only real difference is Elle and Patrick have swapped seats.
That means I’ll be able to pull off sitting next to Mabel again.
“Judey, how are you feeling?” Mama D pushes back from the table and comes to stand in front of me. I’ve got more than half a foot on her, but oblige her motherly nature and bend slightly to allow her to check out my injury.
“Feeling much better.” I rumble out, I can feel everyone’s eyes on me. The old feeling that was pushed into every pore, to be seen not heard, causes my mouth to go dry.
People usually don’t put too much thought into why I’m so quiet.
They see my size and default to seeing me as the strong, silent type.
I mean, I guess they’re not wrong. I am strong, and I do mostly stay silent, but it’s a product of the few shitty years I was living with Leeson before I made the Farm my permanent residence.
Leeson didn’t care much for the thoughts of children, especially not pre-teens who are used to being the sole focus of the adult in their life.
I force myself to swallow, a weak attempt to combat the dryness and force away the harsh words of my past. Focusing on Mabel as I walk to the table helps.
Tonight, everything is all set up family style.
No need to dish up before joining the family.
It seems like the tense feelings after my injury have mostly disappeared.
I can feel Paul’s eyes burning a hole into my head as I take a seat at the table. I do my best to ignore it, focusing on loading up my plate when a soft little hand gives my thigh a quick squeeze before resting there on and off for the rest of dinner.
That simple touch makes it a lot easier to get through dinner.