It was almost ironic how a place could hold so many amazing memories, and one-day turn into a place to painful to breathe in.
He hadn't really walked into this place for over two years. Minus a time six months ago where he spent in the parking lot trying to not be ran down by a pissed off blonde. Yet here he was again, sitting in Darius Mills' office. For a reason unbeknownst to him.
As Tommy Quincy sat in an oversized armchair drumming his fingers against his leg, he looked around at all the memorabilia including platinum and gold records on the walls. Some were from his 'glory' days back in BoyzAttack!. However, most of the platinum belonged to Jude Harrison.
My Girl. He thought sadly to himself while thumbing a very feminine looking ring on a chain around his neck. It was concealed by his black button up-shirt, but he knew it was there. It gave off a burning sensation every time it grazed his chest. Just like the pang in his heart every time he thought of her. That was a place Tommy didn't need to go right now. Darius had called him while he was in Montreal sulking and asked him to come to G-Major. He said they needed to talk and it would be better in person. Tommy was about to decline when Darius matter of factly put in that Jude was in Italy on vacation so therefore she would not be in the studio. How Darius always knew what was going on was always a complete mystery to Tom, but for once in his life he was thankful for the insight Darius had. Just then the sliding door opened to Darius' office, and Big D himself strode in." How are you doing T?" Darius asked in his booming voice as Tommy rose to shake his former employers hand.
"I'm breathing, so I can't be doing too bad." Tommy shrugged as he slouched back into the chair as Darius went to sit on the other side of the desk.
"So you're probably wondering why I asked you to come back here."
"The thought has crossed my mind."
Darius smiled, and started rummaging through the paperwork on his desk.
"Well Tom, times are changing and with that change, positions need to be refilled."
Tommy exhaled heavily at this, knowing exactly where this was going. He sat up straighter in his chair.
"Look D, I appreciate the offer but producing again wouldn't be right for me at this time. Especially at this time. I can't be around-"
"Wait Tom."
Darius interrupted without even glancing up. He stopped going through his papers and found what he was looking for. Darius pushed the thick stack of paperwork in front of Tommy.
"This might change your mind." Darius smiled his all knowing smile as Tommy scanned quickly through the documents.
Tommy finished looking through them and looked up at Darius. He started to speak a few times but was at a lost for words. He looked back down at the papers and pushed himself out of his chair.
"You have got to be fucking kidding me?!"
One Week Later…..
Home.
It was such a foreign word to her even in her twenty years. Was that when her parents were together and putting up the façade that they were happy and in love. Or was that when everything had fallen apart resulting in her mother moving to god knows where with her lawyer, now husband.
That's what home was to Jude Harrison.
A place where everyone leaves you behind.
Yet here she was back in Toronto, with a brand new summer tan, a better outlook on her life, and quite possibly a few new tattoo's and piercings.
Italy was everything she had been missing. It was beautiful and carefree, something she hadn't experienced since before she had been fifteen. And the two months far away from her life in the spotlight was just what she needed. And of course being away from it didn't mean that she hadn't written over thirty new songs or hadn't thought of Tommy for most of it.
It was a summer of questions without answers for her and she was entirely too afraid to know the truth. She had been questioning herself about that night six months ago and had countless dreams about it.
Now pulling up to her condo, she stared at her porch where she may have made the biggest mistake of her life. It felt like it had been years since she had verbally given up on her and Tommy. But that didn't stop the constant tears from flowing every time she laid down to sleep or when she had a moment to herself.
She just couldn't let go of him.
Them.
The memories.
Her love.
Even when she would go out to clubs and parties in Italy, there was always a part of her that searched the mass of people for a familiar pair of blue-gray eyes. She knew he wouldn't be there. But it didn't stop her from looking. And even all the men who fought for her complete attention couldn't break through the barrier she had set up around herself.
Jude sighed and got out of her BMW and started unloading all of her luggage back into her room. By the time she was done the jetlag and fatigue had finally set in and she fell asleep fully clothed on her bed.
A few hours later Jude woke to her alarm screaming in bright red letters three am. She had to be back at the studio by nine, per Darius' orders a few days earlier when he called to see how she was doing. He obviously new something had transpired between her and Tommy but she couldn't figure out how. Her sister and Kwest were the only ones who heard her whole sob story and they would never speak a word to D. But all the same she was thankful for his sympathy towards her situation.
Regardless, she was looking forward to start recording and seeing her true family. She got out of bed and went to change into her pajamas and went back to sleep, and to dreams of Tommy.
It was 10:30 when Jude half ran/walked into the lobby with a latte in hand. She was wearing her favorite pair of ripped jeans and an old black Speidermen Mind Explosion shirt. Her hair was tied in a high ponytail showing off her new star tattoo on the back of her neck.
Sadie stood up quickly as she saw her younger sister walking toward the office doors. Jude simply waved and walked past her sister towards Darius' office.
"Hey Jude! Aren't you going to say hello to your sister who hasn't seen you in months?" Sadie asked quickly trying to re-direct Jude towards her desk.
"Sorry Sades, I'm over an hour late and if I don't check in with D you may be sister less." Jude replied walking past her sister once again.
"Yeah but Jude I need to tell you that-"
Sadie barely managed to get out before Jude walked past her sliding the office door open.
"Oh shit." Sadie said under her breath watching her sister walk into a situation she could no longer protect her from.
The young rock star opened the door without knocking a habit she had formed and never thought to curb.
"I'm so sorry Darius."
Jude got out without even looking up at her boss who was leaning against the desk.
"I'm just beyond jetlag and the funny thing about my alarm is it has this mind of its own and I know you always say-"
Jude froze mid ramble and starred at the man in front of her. She must be hallucinating or still be asleep and this was just another one of her dreams.
"Hey Girl."
Tommy was able to get out once the momentary shock of Jude's presence had sent chills through his body. He knew that she would be in today and tried to mentally prepare for it, but now, her standing here in all of her beauty, finally made him realize what that all meant.
"Uh- you're not- not-Darius." Jude lamely said.
"No. Not the last time I checked." Tommy answered now digging his hands further in his pockets.
Jude shook herself out of her stupor and leaned against the wall now looking around the office for the first time.
"Wait. What the hell-" she barely got out before Speidermen barged into the room.
"Miss Harrison! God things never change. Always have to see Lord Squinty Frown before your best friend and let me just tell yeah, it gets old."
Spied said before unceremoniously picking up Jude and spinning her around in a bear hug. After setting her down, he looked between Jude and Tommy noticing for the first time how much tension there was in the room.
"Ohhhhhhh…. I get it now."
Spied wrapped his arm around her shoulders as Jude and Tommy continued to stare at each other.
"So Jude, I guess you've met our new boss?"
Next chapter bursting with drama. Just the way I like it!