Mellenda shook her head. “No thank you Jude. Thanks for the offer though. Have a good night.”
“Hey, don’t dismiss me so quickly beautiful. Seems to me that we’re sitting in the same boat since your boyfriend knocked up my girlfriend and they took off together. Let me give you a ride. You hungry? I’ll buy you dinner anywhere you want.”
“No offense Jude, but I’m not in the mood to be hit on.”
Jude sighed. “Come on Mellenda. I’m trying to be nice. I can’t help but think that you’re beautiful because you are. I always thought that you were even prettier than Molli. You’re so nice and curvy. I always wanted to see what you looked like naked. I probably shouldn’t have said that. Get in. Let me give you a ride at least, even if you won’t let me buy you dinner.”
“Are you calling me fat Jude?”
“Damn. Girls are defensive. You’re not fat. Excuse me for being a pervert again, but you have breasts that make me drool and an ass that gets me hard just by looking at it. Your body is super hot and your face is like an angel’s. Tory and Molli put together don’t have shit on you. I would have asked you out if I’d thought a girl like you would ever go for a guy like me. But girls like you go out with guys like Ricky who came from money and always use proper grammar. I’m just a local guy who grew up in a trailer park and drives a crappy old truck. I know I’m not good enough for you Mellenda. But guys can dream can’t they?” Jude gave her a smile that she suddenly found to be adorable.
She pondered his boyishly handsome face and wondered what it would be like to kiss him. “Can I drive your truck? I always loved driving a stick.”
“Sure. How come you don’t have a car? Even Tory has one now. The sweet ass mustang that’s parked in Tony Wilson’s back yard. Did you hear that they’re getting married? She’s gotta be pregnant don’t you think?”
Mellenda shrugged as she got behind the wheel of Jude’s truck. She was surprised that he’d so readily agreed to let her drive his truck. Ricky had never let her drive his car. Granted, it was a lot nicer than Jude’s truck, but she barely knew Jude. Then she thought that he probably thought he was going to get down her pants, and decided she needed to set the record straight.
“I doubt she’s pregnant. Just because you let me drive your truck and I’m letting you take me out to dinner doesn’t mean that I’m letting you down my pants.”
“I never thought I’d be lucky enough to be able to take you out to dinner, let alone get anywhere near taking your panties off. I was lucky enough to snag two girls from Crestview, but I know I’d never catch your eye. What would a girl like you want with a guy like me?”
“What do you mean a guy like you?” Mellenda checked to make sure the way was clear and then pulled out onto the road. “You’re good looking, and I thought you got pretty good grades. Everyone knows you have a job so you can help your parents out. I think that’s really cool.”
“Maybe. But I screw around because it’s supposed to make me feel like a big man when it’s just dumb. I guess I always knew Tory and Molli were both too good for me and did shit to screw it up without consciously thinking about it. I know that I’m never gonna be far from a trailer park. I’ve got grants lined up for school but I’m still gonna be up to my neck in student loans for years if I want to go to a decent school. Where are you going? Are you still headed to the university even with all the bullshit with Ricky?”
“I don’t know. Don’t sell yourself short Jude.” Mellenda felt like she’d listened to too much motivational bullshit coming out of Tony’s mouth, but didn’t feel like stopping until she’d said everything she felt like saying to Jude. “Anyone can do anything they want if they try hard enough. You may have grown up in a trailer park, but that doesn’t mean you can’t live out your adult years in a mansion. People have come from way worse backgrounds than yours and went as far as they wanted in their lives. At least your parents seem to love you. Sometimes I wonder if mine even remember that I exist.”
“Ah, I’m sorry Mellenda. Are your parents just assholes or did something happen?”
“My older sister died a few years ago. She was pregnant. They don’t like to talk about it. I can’t fill the hole that she left. It used to be okay when she was around, because I knew they loved me. When she died, they shut down. It’s like all of their love died with her. They spend so much money that I’m going to be up to my neck in student loans too. I wonder sometimes how they can afford to keep me at Crestview. Anyway, where do you want to eat since you’re paying? Or I can pay for mine, especially since we’re not on a date.”
“We can eat wherever you want. And I’m fine with paying. I need to pay Molli back all of the money I borrowed from her, but that’s kinda hard when I don’t know where she is. Seneca knows but she won’t tell me. Girls tell their best friends everything. I don’t think they can help themselves.”
Mellenda laughed. “I never told mine everything. Of course we’re not that close anymore. I miss her, but our lives are so different now, you know? I sometimes feel like I don’t have any real friends. All of the girls at Crestview are fake or just plain nasty. I don’t want to deal with that shit.”
“You don’t have friends? I thought you’d fit right in with the girls at Crestview. You’re gorgeous, and well, you seem like you’d fit in anywhere.”
“Do you really think I’m that pretty?” Mellenda turned to look at Jude. She had stopped the truck in a sort of strip mall that held a diner and a Chinese restaurant and several other stores. She was in the mood for Chinese food but it was more expensive, and she didn’t want Jude to have to pay so much money to feed her when they weren’t on a real date. She felt a little pang that they weren’t and wanted to kick her own ass. Why in the hell was she even letting herself think about being attracted to Jude? Was she really that horny tonight Mellenda wondered?
“You are so hot. You could be a model if they weren’t so dumb and always wanted tall, super skinny girls. I think curves are hot. I like that you’re not so tall that I’m not taller than you. I am having so many dirty thoughts about you that you’re probably gonna really want to kick my ass soon. So, are we eating Chinese or diner food? Whatever you want is fine with me. I feel so lucky to be taking you out to dinner that I’d take you anywhere and spend my last dime doing it.”
Mellenda laughed. “I’m not that pretty.”
“You are, but it probably feels weird hearing it all the time. And you’re not just pretty. You’re smart and really nice too. Thanks for calling me and telling me about Molli and Ricky. I never would have known if you hadn’t told me. I would have gone on thinking that she was having that creep Eduardo’s kid like all of the other idiots in this town.”
“I’m not that nice. I’m kind of a bitch, and I was being one when I called you. I didn’t call you because I thought you had a right to know. I called you because I wanted you to feel what I was feeling. That’s pretty shitty huh?”
“I don’t think it matters why you told me-just that you bothered to at all. Most people wouldn’t have bothered. It’s not like I was a perfect boyfriend either. I messed around a few times other than when I talked Tory into having sex with me. And that was a really shitty thing for me to do. I knew she was in love with Tony, but I had to sweet talk her into having sex with me to prove myself. Then, when I knew she didn’t like it that much, I had to rub it in Tony’s face and lie about it. Why can’t girls tell guys what they want in bed instead of letting them think that they’re doing okay? It really sucks to think that you’re making a girl feel good in bed when you’re really not. I want a girl who will be honest with me about what she wants. If I’m not doing something right, or you’re not into it, don’t be afraid to tell me you know? I thought for sure that I was going to have a girl that I could go away to college with, even if it wasn’t Molli. I used to think that I wanted to screw around until I was like forty but that shit’s for the birds. I want a good woman that will stand by me and have my babies. For richer or for poorer, in sickn
ess and in health and all that jazz. But I guess marriage doesn’t mean shit to most people any more with the divorce rates the way they are. I’ve probably bored you silly. Where do you want to eat?”
Mellenda bit her lip. “Um, the Chinese place if you don’t mind.”
Jude grinned. “I don’t mind. I feel like I’m eating dinner with some kind of celebrity and we’re not even on a date. I think I’d probably come in my pants if you ever told me you’d really go out with me. Sorry. I’m a total pervert. I’ll shut up now, before you decide to drive away in my truck and leave my horny ass standing here like an idiot.”
Mellenda felt herself blushing. “You really are too nice Jude. I’m not that pretty, and I really can be kind of a bitch. I tried to seduce Tony today, even though I already knew he was back with Tory. He told me to take a flying leap. I didn’t realize that they were engaged, but it was still a screwed up thing to do.”
“So your boyfriend broke up with you and you were feeling horny. It’s okay to be horny. I’m always horny. I wish a girl would teach me about sex so that I’d be better at it.”
Mellenda’s face was still red. “I’m sure you’re good in bed Jude. Some girls don’t feel comfortable telling guys what they really want.”
Jude shrugged. “Molli didn’t seem like that kind of girl. I’ll bet she told Ricky what she liked. She always did want him more than me anyway. He should have asked her out instead of you and saved us all a bunch of headaches. It sucks to be cheated on. I never realized how shitty I must have made Tory feel. I guess I should probably apologize to both her and Tony, but I have a feeling neither of them really wants to hear it. Let’s eat. Let me get the door for you. It sticks sometimes.”
“Thank you.”
When Jude opened the door, he gave her his hand to help her out of the truck. Mellenda felt a little tingle when his skin touched hers. Her face still felt hot and she was starting to think dirty thoughts about Jude. She was beginning to think that it might be fun to teach him about what women liked in bed, or at least what she liked in bed. She didn’t like the feelings she was having.
She could tell that he felt the same tingle that she did when their skin touched. Jude’s grin was even wider when he slammed the door to the truck. They walked side by side to the restaurant. Jude held the door open for her. They were seated by a pretty young waitress. Mellenda started to feel even more uncomfortable.
The restaurant had a romantic atmosphere and she was all too aware of the closeness of Jude’s body. He wasn’t much taller than her, but he had long legs and they were stretched out underneath the table. She wondered what he’d do if she started playing footsie with him and almost giggled. Jude gave her a funny look before he went back to looking at the menu and she suddenly couldn’t control her laughter.
Jude looked up at her and gave her a half smile. “What’s so funny? Do I smell bad? I took a shower today. I promise.”
Mellenda’s laughter faded. She enjoyed the way that Jude smelled. Ricky had always smelled nice, but she’d secretly thought that his scent was almost over powering. She’d always sneezed first thing when she walked into his apartment. Jude’s scent was much more subtle. She could catch a trace of cologne when he turned his head or when he’d held the door for her or given her his hand. She had a sudden urge to sniff her hand and see if it smelled like him and broke out into giggles again.
“What’s so damned funny? Tell me Mellenda. If I stink, I’ve got a stick of deodorant in my truck. If someone at this table smells bad it’s got to be me. You smell so good that I want to kiss every inch of your neck.”
Mellenda stopped laughing and swallowed hard. “You don’t stink. I love the way you smell. You don’t feel the need to bathe in cologne like some guys seem to. I thought you smoked. You don’t smell like it, and your truck doesn’t either. Tony smells good if you can get around the stench of cigarette smoke.”
Jude shrugged. “The smell’s never bothered me I guess, because my dad smokes in our house. Yeah yeah, he probably shouldn’t with four kids. Don’t tell CPS. Who knows what reasons they’ll take kids away for these days.”
“I hate CPS. Mostly because of these two lesbians at Crestview that want to be social workers, but I can read the news. They screw up way more shit than they seem to fix.”
“Yeah. Why were you laughing? Please tell me.” He paused when the waitress returned with their drinks. They ordered their food. He gave her an imploring look as soon as the waitress had departed. “Please tell me. You’ll make me feel bad if you don’t.”
“I can’t tell you. It’s too bad.”
“Is it something mean about me? You don’t have to eat dinner with me. I can take the food you ordered home to my brother and I can take you back to school right now. My sisters don’t like Chinese food and neither do my parents, so I wouldn’t have to worry about buying them anything.”
“It wasn’t something mean. You’ve been so nice to me tonight. I was feeling really shitty, and now I feel way better. With all of the things you’ve said you’ve probably given me an ego boost for a year.”
“They were true. If it wasn’t something mean about me what was it? Was it about me?”
“Yes it was about you, but it wasn’t a very nice thought.”
Jude frowned. “If it wasn’t mean, but it wasn’t very nice. . . Holy shit were you thinking dirty thoughts about me?”
Mellenda’s face felt like it was on fire. “No.” She turned away from him. “Yes. But it doesn’t mean anything. I’m horny and lonely. Damn that didn’t come out right. Look Jude, even if I think you’re a nice guy and I kinda like you, we can’t go out. I don’t think I need another boyfriend before I leave Crestview after what I went through with Ricky and Tony.”
“Damn you were with Tony too? What does that guy have that I don’t?”
“Nothing. Thank you for buying me dinner and giving me a ride back to school. But we shouldn’t see each other again other than to say hi in town and stuff okay?”
“Who are you trying to convince Mellenda? You or me? You sound way more unsure than you did when you asked me if I thought you were beautiful. You know you’re beautiful. It’s okay because you don’t let it go to your head. You worry that you’re fat or that guys will think you’re fat, because you’re not as skinny as some girls like Tory or Molli, or some of those anorexic looking bitches that you go to school with. You’re not fat. You’ve got a beautiful body. I would treasure every inch of it if I was ever lucky enough that you decided to share it with me. If you even kind of like me, why not give me a chance?”
Jude paused as the waitress returned with their food. He gave her a smile and a ‘thank you’ and then turned back to Mellenda when she’d walked away again. “We both got dumped so I’m betting that neither of us wants anything serious right now. So we hang out, go to the movies, go out to eat, whatever. I’ll let you my drive my truck whenever you want to. I think it is so hot when girls drive pickup trucks. We take the physical stuff as slow or as fast as you want to. Believe me, I wouldn’t turn you down if you told me you wanted to have sex right now, but if you don’t want me to even kiss you, I won’t.”
“You didn’t get dumped. You dumped Molli didn’t you?”
“I never really talked to her. I think she’d been planning to dump me for a while, and I was avoiding her on purpose. I bragged so much about going out with her that I didn’t want to admit that she kicked my ass to the curb. About the other stuff, will you at least think about it? I’d feel good to know that you liked me enough to even hang out with me.”
“I don’t know Jude. I do like you but. . .”
“Can I give you my phone number? Then you can call me if you decide you want to hang out or even if you want to drive my truck.”
“That sounds okay.”
“Awesome. You made my day.” Jude grinned widely at her.
“Thank you. Or you’re welcome. Both?” Mellenda shook her head. “You’re not the kind of guy I thought you’d be J
ude.”
“Really? You’re even better than I thought you’d be.” He gave her another grin. Then they both started to eat.
The food was good. Mellenda was starting to feel a lot more comfortable. She knew that Jude was probably still thinking dirty thoughts about her, but it no longer bothered her because she was starting to rather enjoy her dirty thoughts about him. They both finished their meals since they’d both ordered the small portions. Jude gave her a choice of which fortune cookie she wanted.
She chose the one in his left hand and let her hand linger on his a bit on purpose. She could see that he was trying not to smile and felt a blush rise to her cheeks again. She opened the wrapper and cracked her fortune cookie in half and pulled out the slip of paper. When she read it, the blush didn’t leave her cheeks.
“What does it say? Mine’s kinda corny, but I’ll tell you if you tell me what yours says.”
Mellenda cleared her throat. “It says ‘you will soon find the love of your life in an unexpected place.’”
“No shit? That’s what mine says too.”
“It does not. Let me see it.”
Jude handed her his fortune, not bothering to try to hide his smile anymore. Mellenda read the fortune and it did indeed say the exact same thing that hers did. She shrugged, wanting very badly to appear nonchalant.
“So what? They probably all say the same thing in that batch. These things are so silly anyway. Let’s get out of here.”
Jude met her eyes. “They don’t all say the same thing because then people eating together would get pissed off. It’s fun to tell each other what your fortunes say. Maybe it’s fate. Maybe this whole thing is fate. Maybe you’re my true love and I’m yours.”
Mellenda rolled her eyes. “Do you believe in shit like that? You’re a guy. Guys are only romantic when they want to do something dirty to a girl in bed.”
“Damn, Ricky really broke your heart didn’t he? Guys can be romantic without it having to be about sex. What if your woman had a bad day and you want to make her feel good? Sex is great, but sometimes it’s really cool to wake up beside a girl. I can’t wait until I get married. All the sex I want and a woman to wake up with every day. Kids, a nice house and a dog. And a nicer truck.”
Misty Reigenborn Romance Boxed Set Page 175
