“Don’t wait too long. A man like that won’t be around forever.”
No one’s talking about forever. I only want Jude for tonight. And maybe tomorrow if it’s good. And the next night if it’s great.
That’s all, though.
After buying another shirt, I leave the shop, my phone buzzing once I’m on the street. Jude’s name flashes across the screen, and my pulse spikes.
* * *
Jude: It’s tomorrow. And I’ve presumed a lot already this morning. I presumed last night too, when I got in bed.
* * *
I go up in flames as I reply.
* * *
TJ: I could help you with that. All that presuming.
* * *
Jude: Good. I hoped as much. Let’s meet later. I have a bunch of boring things to do this afternoon but plenty of time for non-boring things tonight. How’s seven?
* * *
TJ: That’s the perfect time for presuming. And I promise it won’t be boring.
* * *
Jude: I’ll hold you to that, Tool Johnson.
* * *
TJ: How long were you waiting to whip that one out?
* * *
Jude: I just came up with it. I was hoping to find the right moment to slide it in. How’d I do?
* * *
TJ: Great. But then, you’re kind of a dick.
* * *
Jude: You’re kind of a dick too.
* * *
He sends me the name and address of a bar. A quick Google search tells me it’s nearby, but I’d go all the way across the city for him. I don’t tell him that, though. I just tell him I’ll be there.
When I put the phone in my pocket, I punch the sky. “There. I was super chill. And now, I’m getting laid. That’s how you do it.”
The freckled brunette jogging past gives a thumbs up.
I salute her jauntily because today will be an excellent day for sex and more sex and then even more.
When I return to my hotel, I head straight for the front desk, where the attendant gives me the good news that my luggage has arrived early.
Everything is falling into place. “Perfect. I’m going to head over to my flatshare now,” I say.
Then, with two bags in tow, I head to the nearest tube station, checking the email from my company along the way to confirm the details for my flat in Waterloo, just across the river.
There’s a lockbox outside the building. A key will be in it. Just take one since your roommate will be moving in today too.
Cool. I hope he’s a good dude. All I asked was my roomie be a non-smoker and queer-friendly.
In short—the kind who won’t mind if I kick him out tonight while I do Jude.
6
A Big Bite of One Thing
Jude
* * *
I sling my bag into the back of Olivia’s Fiat, then breathe a deep sigh of relief.
“Don’t take offense, Liv,” I tell my best friend, “but if I never have to beg you or anyone else for a ride into the city again, never will be soon enough. Not that I don’t totally love you for having a car.”
The fiery redhead stares daggers at me. “I hate you, Jude. You know that, right?”
“You’ve only mentioned that twenty times since I told you I was moving out of Reading,” I say, closing the boot of her sister’s car.
Olivia huffs again. “I am so jealous that you’re getting out of here. You’re going to be close to the theater, to all the studios, to the casting directors. Fuck you, fuck you, fuck you.”
That’s exactly why I’m leaving. I’ve lived in Reading since I finished uni, but it’s been brutal getting around. I sometimes have only a moment’s notice for an audition or a callback, and being an hour away—by train, no less—from my job and the center of the art world has cost me a couple of job opportunities.
My agent was not pleased. Harry’s sternest voice is the equivalent of anyone else’s regular voice, but he used it on me. A clear sign that I needed to be more accessible.
His words.
And so, I searched the city up and down, listing my name with all the flatshare services, and then finally, a few weeks ago, this place became available. A steal of a deal and in a great location. This will be fantastic for my nine-forty-five audition tomorrow in the Savoy Hotel for a new web show about scientists and robots in love.
“Feel free to tell me to piss off tomorrow morning when I only have to walk fifteen minutes to try out to be a grumpy scientist falling for his robotic creation.”
Olivia taps her chin, fire in her green eyes. “Do I really want to give you a ride into the city? Or shall I make you take the train with all your things?”
“Of course you want to help me, Liv. Because you love that I’m the only gentleman you know.” I prove my point by opening the driver’s side door for her. “See?”
“Thank you,” she says, relenting briefly with her vitriol as she sinks behind the wheel. “You’re the only one who does that. And I’m such a sucker for manners.”
I get into the passenger side. “If you only knew what a gentleman I was last night with my date.”
“I would ask, but I think you’re about to tell me,” she says as she pulls away from the curb.
“Don’t pretend you don’t want to know every salacious detail.” I give her the best ones from last night, including how I sent TJ home. “Which means tonight he’ll be rested and ready for me.”
“I hate you for that too—your planned trip to Pound Town,” she says, slowing at a light.
I pat her thigh. “I’m sure you’ll visit there again soon. With Rufus. Or Ginny. Or whoever you decide is worthy of you.” I stage whisper, “Even though no one is.”
“Damn straight.”
“Well, straight’s not the word I’d use,” I say.
That makes her smile. No easy feat. “It’s much more fun having a little bit of everything,” she says.
“I’ll have to take your word for it. Tonight I’ll have a big bite of one thing,” I say, imagining how my evening might play out with the American. “One very yummy thing. And I’ll still make it to my audition on time tomorrow even if I can’t walk straight.”
“Fuck you. That’s the best kind of sex to have.”
“The kind you can feel the next day.” I couldn’t agree more.
She huffs, flicking her gaze at me. “Can’t I just move in with you too? Maybe camp on your pullout sofa so I can sleep in and still make it to auditions?”
But we both know she’d never really do that. She lives in her sister’s house in Reading, and her sister travels for work most of the time. Liv would never give up the free rent or access to her sister’s car. “Poor Liv with her rent-free lifestyle and her ability to audition for anything whenever she wants,” I say.