𝐀 𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐒 𝐑𝐎𝐘𝐀𝐋𝐓𝐘 𝐍𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐋: 𝐙𝐞𝐫𝐨 ✔️

Chapter26

As Jude loaded the animals in Gideon's SUV for his trip back to New York his heart pounded in his chest. He was finding it hard to leave Gideon behind especially with their night at the lodge still fresh in his mind. "Tell me something?" he said as he slammed the trunk of the athlete's trunk, trying to sound nonchalant.

"What?"

"If this party is something we throw every year then why does it seem to get more complicated and make me nervous every year?"

He walked around Jude to open the driver's side door and paused, one hand on the window body leaned into Jude "Maybe because this year you went out of your way and invited a couple of other people." He brushed a stray hair from Jude's face "Which you didn't have to do, but I appreciate it anyway."

"I know." Jude smiled and Gideon smiled back that killer knee weakening smile.

Not the sinful grin made his heart melt or the sensual twist to his lips that would break him in two with desire. It wasn't even the polite charming smile he used on many people but meant nothing. No, he smiled that one hundred percent genuine smile focused on him alone. The one that made him feel alive, special and even loved.

Yet he'd promised him everything but.

"Are you ok? You spaced out on me?" Gideon asked.

He pasted on a sunny smile "My mind's already on New York" he lied.

"Then you should get going."

"I should."

But neither of them broke eye contact nor made any move into the car or granted the other access to the driver's seat.

"You're in my way," Jude said eventually breaking the silence.

"Say goodbye Gideon," he asked his voice dropping to a husky octave.

"Goodbye, Gideon." He heard himself repeat mesmerized by his voice.

Gideon leaned in closer "Goodbye Jude." I'm going to miss you he heard himself think and when their lips met he thought he'd be missed too.

It felt good but the feeling wasn't enough. It wasn't assured.

New York now felt like a different planet. Jude walked into Barney's to meet Linda and his siblings for shopping. "Jude, Darling!" Mikayla his personal shopper met him for a warm hug

"Hi." he greeted her.

"So good to see you! It's been way too long, so either you've been cheating on me or you've been repeating ensembles one too many times." Mikayla chided as she linked their arms and steered him toward the private back room.

The girl had dressed him for events from black tie fundraisers to lawn parties for years. "No, I've just been really busy, work you know." He said laughing looking at their interlocked arms. Like milk and coffee, they got along great and looked even better together. "It can get hectic."

The girl squealed as she sat him down "Of course, who were you working with this time. Tell me everything." she encouraged flirting with him in that natural way she did with every single one of her regulars, gay or not.

Jude forced a smile. Normally he would indulge the girl in tea she'd sure know before some media outlets but right then. Everything Jude felt for Gideon was fresh and new. Most of all his own emotions were private to share and maybe even unreciprocated.

He hoped his siblings would show up thankfully within the minute Linda arrived. Followed by Sophie who had a cell phone tugged against her ear and a pad and pen in her hand. Then Steven who grumbled about having perfectly fine clothes in his house that was now locked thanks to his pissed off fiancé who'd even made him sleep in the car outside their home last night, minor lover's spat.