The Starting Line: Friends To Lovers

by Jennifer Hartley

  Once she emerges from her room, she hears laughter and Jude’s voice coming from downstairs. Freezing in her tracks, Hailey searches around for a place to hide, scrambling like an idiot. She knew he’d be coming. But in her excitement and fatigue, she neglected to consider what it’d be like, seeing him again.

  And damn if it doesn’t hurt like hell.

  But, now is not the time for a pity party. Besides, her family is waiting to open Christmas presents and eat dessert. So, she takes a deep breath and descends down the stairs practicing a semi-believable smile. Shoot, if living with Marta for months taught her anything, it was how to be better at shielding her true emotions.

  She pads into the kitchen quietly, sneaking up behind Jude, who is telling quite the story. She watches him for a moment, rolling her eyes at his animated explanation, then slides her hand up his back, causing him to jump and turn quickly.

  “Ah, hey!” Jude wraps her in a hug so tight that she thinks she feels his heart beating against her chest. He smells like sweat and warmth and that indescribable scent of Jude. He smells like home. Like hours spent at the studio and gym, exhaustion, and victory. When they pull apart, he sets her on the ground, bombarding her with twenty questions all at once.

  Her eyebrows dart upward as she gives him a genuine smile, taking a seat at the dinner table with the rest of her family. Her mom serves everyone a piece of cake or pie, giving Hailey a large glass of frosty chocolate milk and a container of Nutella to add to the angel food cake. She grins at her mom and settles in as her family and Jude pepper her with questions, asking for pictures and stories.

  It’s late when things finally wind down, and Hailey is fighting back sleep with everything she’s got.

  “Look at you, Hails,” Jude says from his seat across from her. “You should get to bed.”

  She blinks hard, ignoring the way her brother squeezes her cheek, teasing her. Ten minutes later, she finally caves in, giving everyone hugs and kisses and half-conscious waves before heading upstairs. She walks Jude to the door, shaking her head at a crazy story he’s telling from when he was in Corden.

  “I’m glad you’re home,” Jude says as he pulls her in for a hug. She feels his breath, warm against her neck and fights hard not to turn her head into him and do the same.

  “I’m happy to be home,” she replies as she pulls away, not wanting to remain long in his embrace. She avoids his eyes for a moment, too tired to put up a wall between them. He senses this, reaching out for her hand and squeezing it.

  “Hailey?” His voice is quiet and uncertain. “Are we okay?”

  She glances up at him and sees legitimate fear and concern in his eyes, hating that she’s the reason it’s there. Immediately she knows that no matter what he’s afraid of happening between them, she doesn’t want to sacrifice what they do have for what they don’t. So she gives him a smile, the one meant only for him, and squeezes back.

  He reaches out and places a kiss on her forehead, then turns and leaves through her front door. After she closes it behind him, she leans against the door, biting her lip and keeping her eyes shut tight. She can do this. He wants friendship.

  She can give him friendship.

  Chapter Twelve

  School resumes almost immediately for Hailey, giving her enough time to return to her apartment, do a few loads of laundry, and catch up on much-needed rest. She squeezes in coffee and meals with friends when she gets the chance, but everyone wants to see her, and there is only so much time in the day.

  Adjusting to being home isn’t as challenging as she thought it would be. Her mother is maintaining a respectable distance, her friends haven’t moved on completely, and she continues to keep her thoughts in a neutral territory regarding Jude.

  Hailey allows herself only a moment to consider the fact that while she’s been gone, so much and so little has changed. Most notably, her parents repainted the downstairs, which was only five years in the making. Other than that, everything is the same, down to where they keep the cutting boards and the times at which their dogs like to go out. Hailey derives an odd sense of comfort in this.

  Also, Eric and Camille are engaged, which is crazy, because she was there when they first met, and they did not like each other. Not one bit. And now, he’s renovating his family’s old lake house, adding on Camille’s dream kitchen and a home office. Part of Hailey would be more alarmed at this change if she let herself think about it. But she stores it up and takes it in stride. Instead, she absorbs the news with a bright smile and a hug with her friends, ignoring the twinge deep down that tells her she’s falling behind.

  By the time she meets up with Jude again, it’s nearly two weeks after she’s gotten back, late on a Thursday evening after. She’s been sneaking into the studio during what little free time she has, reworking and re-teaching her muscles what it’s like to dance again. Overall, she’s pleased with her progress. Her stamina hasn’t suffered too much due to her varied dance lessons and diligent gym attendance.

  While in England studying countless hours, she got on a modern classical kick and has the music blaring as she dances. It’s peaceful and invigorating in a way that she treasures.

  After nearly an hour, she feels Jude more than anything else; it’s a strange sense that he is near, watching, waiting to join her. Subtly changing her movement, she holds out her hands to the side, ducking her head with a grin as he slots himself behind her and takes her hands as they move about.

  “Practicing without me?”

  Hailey hums as they transition into their warm-up dance. “Can’t have you making me look bad for Saturday lessons.”

  “Impossible,” he whispers, moving along with the music. They chat as they move around, catching up on the past couple of weeks. Jude inquires after a couple of her roommates, getting updates on their whereabouts and such. Hailey learns that Jude is in the middle of flipping three houses, two of which will be a quick turn around, but one has become quite the money pit.

  “I hope you know what you’re doing, Jude Jennings,” Hailey warns as they come out of a spin. “I’m pretty sure your mom will kick your ass if you go bankrupt fixing a house that isn’t even yours.”

  “Oh, she actually asked if Eric and I would be up for renovating part of our house, so… I hope not.”

  Hailey arches an eyebrow. “Wow, that’s awesome. And dangerous. What is it that they always say about working with family?”

  “Don’t do it?”

  “Yeah, exactly. I mean… I feel like this could either go very well or very poorly.”

  “I know. I haven’t given her an answer yet. I think I’m going to push for her to take a bid from Smitty.”

  “Smitty?” Hailey smirks at this name. “I haven’t seen him in years! What’s he up to?”

  Jude grins. “This and that. You know how he is: good at whatever strikes his fancy. Right now, it’s contracting. His sister helps out with the design aspect, so they’re doing pretty well. I figured he’d be the best choice.”

  Hailey shrugs, trusting Jude’s opinion. “If not, I imagine you’ll let him know.”

  “Yeah, me and half of the town,” Jude says this as Hailey is curling over his shoulder, her breath warm against his neck and legs firmly in his grasp. When he releases her, she spins away with an arm flourish, and he feels his breath catch. Swallowing hard, he continues on after, much as he has his whole life.

  “I like the music,” Jude says when they stop to get water. “We should use it for Dance Off.”

  Hailey narrows her eyes. “Possibly. Did Jacob reach you? I think he’ll be in town mid-February. We can meet up to go over choreography and music with him.”

  “Yeah, I figured. I left him a message. We’ve been playing phone tag the past few days.” Jude takes off his fleece, growing warm. Absently, he reaches out and grabs her gloved hands, removing the fabric and sliding their fingers together. Hailey fights hard not to pull her hand away; instead, she relaxes into his grip as he tugs her out on the floor.
/>   “What about Jennifer?”

  “Swann?” Hailey replies, trying to focus on his words and less on the contact. It doesn’t tingle or anything cliché, it just exudes a warmth up her arm that is hard to ignore. Did it always feel like this and she just never paid attention?

  “Yeah. She’d be good for one of the pieces, right? We’re still slotted for two full sessions, so we might as well spice it up.”

  Hailey rolls her eyes as they move around, testing out different ideas.

  Before they know it, over an hour has passed, and her iPod has transitioned into some Frank Sinatra. Jude waggles his eyebrows, laughing as the song starts to play.

  “Fly me to the moon?”

  “Yeah,” Hailey replies. “Therese is a big fan of the rat pack. We used to have movie nights together… watch all the classics.”

  “I bet you were in heaven,” Jude smiles, moving in time with the music. He watches as Hailey performs a certain combination, then asks her to do it again, trying to mimic it. “I like that. Let’s try again.”

  They continue on for another half-hour, stopping when they hear clapping from the benches. It’s Larry, the night janitor, smiling at them as they begin to apologize profusely.

  “Don’t worry about it. Thanks for the show,” he says as they head to the changing rooms. Jude waits for Hailey to emerge, and together they walk out into the parking lot.

  “Alright, we’re still on for Saturday?” Jude asks, stopping at her car.

  Hailey nods, meeting his hand as they slap together familiarly. “Yes, at 8 am.”

  Hailey pulls away in her SUV, feeling pleased that she can still continue to dance with Jude without her resolve weakening; whereas Jude returns to his truck feeling the opposite. He’s surprised at how good it felt, to be dancing with her again. How easy it was to forget everything - time, stress, people.

  Then again, that was his problem, to begin with: when he’s with her, nothing else exists. She becomes his whole world until she gets tired of him and leaves him with nothing except memories and empty hands.

  Starting up his truck, he heads towards Cynthia’s, promising himself not to get sucked in anymore, not to fall even deeper into whatever it is between him and Hailey.

  Jude and Eric pile out of his truck a couple of days later, carrying bags of food and a case of beer. They stand outside Luke’s waiting for him to hobble to the door.

  “So, you’re Eric?” Luke grunts as he shakes Eric’s hand.

  “Guilty,” he smiles as he glances at the damn bird. “Who’s your friend there?”

  “None of your damn business!” replies the parrot, sliding to the edge of his perch. Eric’s eyebrows dart upward as he glances at Jude, who simply shrugs and points his middle finger at the bird. Jude sets the case of beer on the floor as he looks around.

  “You sure there’s enough space for a poker table in here, Luke?” Jude calls out as Luke walks to a back room.

  “You bet,” Luke emerges with several fold-up chairs, while Eric follows with a large round tabletop. “Been using this thing longer than you have been alive, kid.”

  Jude rolls his eyes at Eric, turning to the front door as Carl and Joey (of the cooking adventures) enter. “Hey! We got a full table. Excellent. Hope you brought your paychecks, fellas, I’m going to wipe the table with you.”

  “You talk a big game, Jennings,” says Carl as he takes a seat and opens a bag of chips. “We’ll see about that.”

  Wagers are made, and the men quickly settle into their game. Jude had been brainstorming a way to hang out with Luke and his buddies, now that his schedule is closing up a bit as Hailey’s back. Cynthia suggested a Poker Night, which he thinks is ingenious and immediately set to work. This is the second week in a row at a different place, same night and it’s turning out to be exactly what he was looking for.

  “So, you still want the Lakehouse at the end of next month?” Eric asks Jude as he throws a couple of chips on the pile.

  “Cynthia’s still trying to clear her schedule, but I think it’ll work,” Jude replies as he eyes his cards warily.

  “What’s this? Is baby Ju taking his girlfriend on a romantic retreat?” Carl asks as reaches over and ruffles Jude’s hair. “Want to make sweet-sweet lovin’ on a bearskin rug?”

  Jude knocks Carl’s hand aside as he scowls. “Knock it off. No man. She’s going to start studying for her board exam soon, and she warned me how busy she’d be. I just thought it’d be nice to get away for a little bit before she’s in the thick of it.”

  “Oh,” Carl frowns, shame-faced. “Well, it’s a good idea then.”

  Joe rolls his eyes and punches Carl in the arm. “Just because you don’t know how to woo a lady, doesn’t mean everyone else is as dense as you.”

  “Hey, hey, who’s the only one married at this table, thank you very much?” Carl holds up his hands, pointing at himself.

  “Eric here will be catching up to you soon enough,” Jude says as he tosses an M&M at Eric. “Did you and Camille set a date yet?”

  “Yes, October.”

  “Where are you going on your honeymoon?” Luke asks.

  Eric rolls his eyes. “I have no idea. Hailey’s been filling Camille’s head with all sorts of ideas. I’m pretty sure Camille would rather go somewhere with Hailey and leave me behind to clean the house.”

  “Let me guess…” Jude says as he leans back in his chair. “She wants several days in Paris, then a tour through the French countryside, perhaps wine-tasting and finish up somewhere along the beach.”

  “That’s a little creepy,” Eric narrows his eyes. “How’d you know?”

  “Hailey’s had a couple of friends and family get married in that area. I’m pretty sure she’s going to relocate to that part of the world sooner or later.”

  “It sounds good to me,” Joey says. “I’d be fine with relocating to the French countryside. I like their Fromage. Tell Hailey I’ll take her whenever she wants to go.”

  “Ha, get in line,” Carl says. “I called dibs like… last year.”

  Jude rolls his eyes, exchanging an exasperated look with an amused Luke. “Alright, alright. Eric, you staying local for the wedding?”

  “Yeah,” Eric smiles widely as he glances at his cards then up around. Jude frowns. Eric has the worst poker face known to man. It also means Jude’s about to lose.

  Two hours later, Jude heads home, a hundred dollars poorer. Checking his text messages just before bed, he replies to his buddy confirming football practice the next night, as well as Jacob, who is staying at Hailey’s. Crawling into bed, he fires off one last text, wishing Cynthia a good night at work.

  After lessons on Saturday, Jacob meets up with Jude and Hailey at their usual spot, sliding into the booth beside Hailey.

  “Enjoying your trip?” Jude asks, smiling as Jacob removes his coat.

  “Immensely. I missed this girl way too much,” he swings his arm around Hailey and squeezes her tightly. “She tells me that you want to dance to a country song. You know how I feel about country.”

  “Yeah, yeah. It’s not super country though. Hailey hasn’t even heard it yet.”

  Jacob looks at Hailey, eyebrows raised. “And you think you can dance a piece to a song that you haven’t even heard yet?”

  Hailey shrugs. “We’re compromising. He agrees to dance to Frank Sinatra if I agree to one of his songs.”

  “Yeah, but you like Frank Sinatra,” Jacob says to Jude. “That’s hardly fair. Hailey tolerates country.”

  Jacob turns back to Hailey who’s face is carefully blank. “I’m okay with it. I promise.”

  “Alright, we should listen to it first. Otherwise, I’ve been drawing out a pretty solid routine specifically for you two. I’ve got a couple of songs in mind, but I’ll reserve judgment until we hear Jude’s choice.”

  Hailey exchanges a look with Jude who nods his head at her, both agreeing. “Sounds good, what’ve you got?”

  Jacob lays out the routine for Jude and Hailey,
his enthusiasm infectious. They finish their meal quickly then return to the studio to do a walkthrough and block the routine, agreeing to meet again in the morning. Jacob leaves with Hailey while Jude heads home.

  “Wow,” Jacob says as he climbs into the passenger side. “Country? Hailey. Really?”

  Hailey glances over at him, confused. “What? I’ve been saying no for years. I was going to have to give in eventually.”

  “In more ways than one,” Jacob mutters as he buckles his seat.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” Hailey frowns.

  “It means… it means that you’re being really obvious,” Jacob replies. “Dancing to a song that he likes, just to make him happy? You might as well roll out the doormat, because he’s going to walk all over you.”

  “That’s not… that’s not it at all.”

  “Really?” Jacob turns in his seat to stare at her. “I know things have been weird between you for a while now, but Hailey, come on, this is madness. He’s dating someone else.”

  “I know that,” Hailey replies assuredly. “His personal life has nothing to do with our music selection.”

  Jacob makes a huff of disbelief. “I swear to God, you two drive me absolutely insane. Why can’t you two get on the same wavelength? One year Jude is giving you puppy dog eyes, and you shut him down. The next year, it’s flipped. I mean, what are you so afraid of?”

  Hailey bites her lip, shaking her head. “It’s more complicated than that. And for the record, I’m pretty sure we’re only ever going to be friends. So… can you please drop it?”

  Jacob must pick up on something in her tone because he straightens himself in his seat and clears his throat. He scans through her iPod, scrolling through her music before settling on a song. As ‘All the Single Ladies’ blares over her speakers, Hailey gives Jacob a disparaging look and a punch in the shoulder as they head toward her apartment.