I sure do hope so.
But something tells me that, while Phillip might do as Reese says, Jude is a whole other situation.
One that scares the hell out of me.
Chapter 23
Claire
When I’m not dancing with the dance team, I’m at the studio, and when I’m not at the studio, I’m dancing at Ms. Prissy’s. Somehow, between all this, I’m also going to school, studying, and falling for Jude Sinclair a little more each day.
It’s magical, really.
I should be overwhelmed and stressed out, but for the last six days, I’ve felt amazing. Perfect even. He makes everything so easy. It’s not hard to be with him and I enjoy that. I don’t want to work to like someone, and I feel like it shouldn’t be like that. It should be easy, and with him, it is. He’s honestly my favorite person right now, and that’s saying a lot because I love Phillip and Reese something crazy. But there is something about Jude that makes me breathless and excited for every second I get to be with him.
I just enjoy him.
I love learning things about him, discovering his likes and dislikes. I mean, he loves candy but only fruity stuff. No chocolate! I told him he was nuts, but when he told me he wasn’t a big fan of cake, I told him I didn’t think this relationship would work. He proved otherwise by kissing the hell out of me and letting me know I’m not going anywhere without him. It’s little things like that that just make me all ooey and gooey inside. He’s so fun to talk to especially when he talks about all the trouble he and his brothers got into, which was a lot. He has so many stories, and while I love his versions, I bet his mom’s versions of everything will be more entertaining. I am nervous about meeting her and the rest of his family, but in a way, I’m good with it. I know that he respects his mom and loves her more than anything, but I figure if after all this time he hadn’t been with anyone, and now he’s bringing me home, Mrs. Sinclair is bound to love me or hate me. Hoping for the first option!
While this week has been amazing getting know him even more, my favorite part besides cuddling with him has been watching him play hockey. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a fan of early mornings, especially when I’m out till four in the morning dancing, but I would honestly get up every single morning to watch Jude play. And I have for the last three days. I used to think that Phillip was the best player I’d ever seen, and maybe I’m being biased because I like the guy, but my God, he is phenomenal. He’s so quick, knows the game like the back of his hand, and makes the plays that need to be made. He’s a little selfish with the puck, but it’s because he knows he can score, and I admire that. He told me he’s learning to be a better team player, but he can’t resist making the big plays, and I love watching him do it.
It’s almost like he is the whole package to me. He’s sweet, romantic, and so damn honest. If he doesn’t like something, he tells me, and he makes it known when he does like something. Again, it’s just so damn easy. I can lie on him and read a book and not worry about a damn thing. It’s all just so comfortable. We fit together when we sleep, we like the same foods, and the boy can kiss my socks off. I’m falling for him. That’s all there is to it, and I can’t figure out how that makes me feel. On one hand, I am all for it – hell yeah, let’s do this! But, on the other hand, what if I give him all of me and he decides that some other girl is more worth his time? I know that every person has that fear, but unlike other people, I can’t just stop. I have to be with him – I have to see him, talk to him, and kiss him. I need him. I can’t turn around and run like I want to; I’m rooted to this guy.
Knowing that I’m going to see him in a matter of hours to head out to his family’s house makes me extremely excited. To my surprise, I’m more excited about seeing him than seeing my Assassins family, and I kinda feel like an asshole for that. These are my favorite women ever. I shouldn’t be counting down the minutes to the end of this class to see Jude, but…I am. That makes me an asshole, huh? I just can’t help it!
Taking off my shirt and sweatpants, I fold them before hitting the floor to stretch. I’m wearing my bra that Reese got me. It says “Get Sexy” on it, and on the ass of my booty shorts, it says “One pole at a time.” To say that Phillip didn’t like the outfit at all is an understatement and further supports my claim that he’s probably going to lock me up when I finally get the balls to
tell him about Ms. Prissy’s. He knows that Reese used to work there, but it’s different with me. I’m his niece, basically his daughter, and I don’t think he’s going to support me. No matter how excited I am about the investors.
Just the other night, I performed and started teaching the choreographed numbers I had come up with, and Ms. Prissy was blown away. She joked that I was going to be taking over the business, and it pleased me beyond belief. I called Reese at two in the morning just to tell her. I’m excited, and a part of me can see the bright lights of Las Vegas. The only thing I hope is that Jude gets picked up by either the Ducks or the Kings… Oh, and that he stays with me when he finds out I dance for horny men.
My phone dings and I head to my bag to get it, and when I see the message is from Jude, I say, “Speak of the devil and he shall appear.”
Hey Jude: U want me to pick u back up at 5 right?
Me: Yeah, I’ll be ready, my class gets over at 4:15, I’ll be down there by then.
Hey Jude: Ok, awesome, see you soon.
Me: Great.
I go to put my phone down, but before I can, another text comes through. Leaning against the pole, I click on it and smile as I read his text.
Hey Jude: btw…I miss u a whole heck of a lot.
I smile as my heart soars. I didn’t get to see him but for a few minutes yesterday since Tuesdays are insane for both of us. I have an afternoon class, dance, and then classes here at the studio, and he has an afternoon class and hockey that night. Because of that, we only had about ten minutes to see each other and it wasn’t nearly enough, so I know exactly what he means.
Me: btw…I miss u a whole heck of a lot…more.
Hey Jude:
Me: <3 See you soon.
Pushing off the pole, I head to my bag and toss my phone in it. Standing up, I glance out at where ten dance poles are set up for the new class Reese and I are trying out. We already have tons of moms signing up for it, but I want to practice on my family first. The training for pole dancing was amazing, and I’ve been using a lot of what I learned from it, but mostly I use stuff from the club. My main goal is to make them feel sexy, and since that comes easily to me, this is fun. The great thing is that it encourages fitness too, and my aunt Elli has already lost ten pounds this month from doing it each week!
Holding on to the pole, I spin myself around as I wait, but I don’t get all the way around before the door opens and in piles my adopted family. Rushing to Harper, I hug her tightly as she kisses my cheek. She helped raise me when Phillip would travel for hockey and I love her for it. She’s Reese’s older sister and treats me like I’m hers. When Elli Adler grabs me, I just relax against her. Her arms have always been home to me. Even being the owner of the Nashville Assassins doesn’t keep her from coming to all my events and sending me loving texts. She has been a constant presence in my life, and it’s refreshing having her in it. I hug Fallon Brooks and Audrey Odder next. They are sisters, and while I love them, I’m not as close to them as I am to Harper, Elli, and Piper. They trust me enough to watch their kids when they need me to, so that has to mean something. When Piper snags me, I grin as I hug her tightly before bending down to kiss her belly.
“So, tell me what it is,” I demand, but she shakes her head. Unlike her twin sister, she’s the light version to Reese’s dark. They have the same face, but she’s more petite, with blue eyes and light brown hair, while Reese is tall with brown eyes and hair. She’s so beautiful pregnant, and I wish she wouldn’t have waited as long as she has to have another one. Dimitri, her son, is probably my favorite kid in the whole wide world. I am beyond excited for this little baby. Sometimes I wish Reese and Phillip would have kids, but I know that won’t happen. Reese doesn’t want kids and has repeatedly said I’m enough.