Chapter 18

Emma crossed the threshold, then spun around on her heels to face Skylar once more in a final attempt to deliver more slurs. Skylar’s bold insinuation that Emma played favourites with her children had struck a nerve. It was true that Austin had borne the most responsibility of all four of her children. Although, she’d never thought twice about it, until now. His life had called for him to be stronger, more alert and dependable.

Emma scraped those guilt inducing thoughts away; she rationalized that since Austin was the oldest, it was his duty to look out for his siblings. He had never complained. Not once.

Without further thought or hesitation, Skylar, not willing to entertain any further nonsense, slammed the door in Emma’s face. That family was unhinged in the worst possible way. What was the point of Austin’s mother coming here if not to dissuade Skylar from marrying into their family?

Skylar hadn’t thought for a second that his family was forcing him. Honestly, she hadn’t known what to think. The only truth she knew was that Austin disliked her, which made the whole marriage prospect confusing in itself. Today, a different level of clarity was achieved. Austin’s actions were not his own. Now that she knew his motivation, perhaps it would be easier to disavow him of the notion.

Skylar trudged over to her desk and plunged her head down. Her eyes were growing weary, her body relaxing into a usually uncomfortable position. Ten minutes worth of shut eye wouldn’t hurt anyone, her brain lulled.

Skylar awoke to a dizzying side view of iron cabinets lining her wall. She twisted up as the external force rocking her body eased away. Jude was standing over her, his hand on her arm. “Skylar?” he soothed her with his voice as she blinked back the drowsiness.

“What happened?” Skylar’s throat was dry and hoarse.

“We are closing up, time to go on home.” He said softly, straightening his back and glancing down at her. Skylar groaned, rubbing her hands over her face.

“Damn it.” She cursed herself. She hated carrying work home and it seems that tonight was destined to be another sleepless one. Jude picked up on her movements. He reached down and pulled the papers out of her hand as she was stuffing it into a bag.

“Leave these here. Go home and get a good night sleep,” he replied to her questioning gaze, putting the papers back on her desk.

“I am not done with—” Skylar began to protest. Having uncompleted tasks often weighed heavy on her mind.

“It doesn’t matter. Work should not be your entire life.” Jude interrupted, “Let me drop you home, you seem a bit out of it still.” He said after Skylar struggle to keep her eyes open became evident to him. Skylar wanted to refuse but she felt as if she was barely able to stand much less drive.

“I’d really appreciate it.” She accepted the offer, allowing Jude to help her up. Jude took her bags, walked her out of the building and towards his car. Skylar settled in without another word, they were accustomed to spending time in silence…comfortable silence. This had been the trend in their relationship from the time they met. Jude had known better than to force Skylar to speak when she didn’t want to, he read her emotions well. A skill he’d acquired after years of friendship. On his part at least.

While he would be more than ready to elevate their professional relationship to the status of friendship, Jude couldn’t be certain of Skylar’s thought process. He glanced over at her, her dark hair forming a wild curtain around her face as her head rested against the car’s window. Jude smiled, “You can sleep if you’d like, I’ll wake you up when we get there.” He said, turning his eyes onto the road.

“I’m fine.” Skylar responded with gravel in her throat. She’d never once fallen asleep in the presence of any man. Her mind and body refused it. Was it distrust? Mostly. But she didn’t distrust Jude, he’d been a companion to her for years. She had the utmost respect for him and in more ways than one she did trust him. That, she knew for certain. But sleep was not potent enough to drag her down while in the presence of any man. She was less alert in Jude’s presence, that she had to admit. That would have to be enough. And it was, especially for her to allow him to drop her home.

Home. She lived a half hour away from work; soon enough she’d be able to plunge herself down onto her soft mattress and sink into its folds. Probably only about fifteen minutes left. She couldn’t wait. She glanced over at Jude and it struck her. She was pretty sure he lived in the entirely opposite direction and more than an hour away from their office. Was she mistaken in remembrance?

Whatever remnant of sleep that had been swirling around her had dissipated and her eyes widened. Did she make her business partner go out of his way to accommodate her? Skylar swallowed past the growing protest in her throat. She’d been unconsciously insensitive to Jude’s situation. How stupidly forgetful!

Skylar parted her lips to speak but what was she to say? Sorry? Could that compensate for the hours of rest he’d been robbed of? She couldn’t contain her embarrassment. Soon enough they arrived in front of her house without Skylar noticing. Her mind was preoccupied with repaying Jude for tonight. She hated that feeling of having a debt, it was nagging sensation that drove her to madness.

“How has your mother been?” Jude turned to look at her, a grave expression on his face. She did always appreciate his level of concern.

“She’d been doing well,” Skylar responded, making a split decision. “Wanna stay for dinner?” She questioned as she undid her seat belt.

“I couldn’t impose.” Jude replied politely, glancing up at the house. It was just starting to get dark out.

“It’s not an imposition if I offered, besides it’ll take you an hour and a half to get home. Best to relax a bit, mommy is an amazing cook.” Skylar opened the car door and waited for him to comply.

“When you put it like that…” He switched the car off and followed suit. Was there ever a suggestion Skylar made that he had refused? Jude didn’t think such an event existed. He followed her up the pathway.

“You know, I forgot that you lived in the opposite direction.” Skylar said softly.

“I didn’t,” Jude responded, understanding exactly where her train of thought was headed. “There is no need to feel bad, I offered knowing fully well the location of my house.” They were at the front door, Skylar rustled in her bag for her house keys.

“I have extra rooms; you are more than welcome to stay the night.” Her head was buried in her hand bag. Jude reached out to steady her hands, drawing her face up to him in the process.

“I told you not to worry.” He said again, hoping the intensity in his eyes would communicate his resolve. He hadn’t done this for praise or to incite her to repay him. He’d wanted to ensure she was safe.

“I’ll feel better if you stayed.” Skylar didn’t want to be the reason for her colleague to be driving home at odd hours of the night. Her conscious would feel clear if he accepted her offer.

Jude noted the determination in her eyes, “I’ll consider how I feel after I am stuffed to the brim with some of your mother’s delicious food.” He laughed. At that precise moment the entrance to the house opened to reveal Skylar’s mother.

“Jude!” She completely ignored Skylar’s presence while she bundled Jude in her arms.

“Mrs. Taavon, vibrant as ever.” He responded. “I am sorry to impose on you like this.”

“Nonsense,” she waved his words away. “The more the merrier, come on in.” she unblocked the entrance. She continued chatting away with Jude while Skylar ran off towards the kitchen. She’d been dying of thirst, as she passed by the dining room, a dark figure caught her gaze. Skylar retreated her steps and gazed directly at the man occupying a space.

“No. No. No.” her thirst had been forgotten and her original course took a detour.

“What are you doing here?” the table acting as mediator between them. Austin lazily glanced up from his cell phone, shoving it into the hidden pocket in his suit jacket.

“I came for dinner.” He replied, furrowing his brows as if that was the stupidest question that he’d ever heard her ask him.

“Get out.” She gritted her teeth. All the rage she’d felt from his mother’s earlier attempt at humiliation had resurfaced. She couldn’t stand the sight of not one, but two people of the same blood. Austin hung back in the wooden chair, a smile touching his lips. “

“Get out!” She yelled, slamming the palms of her hands on surface of the table. Austin didn’t flinch. Not even a strand of his hair shifted about.

“I invited him,” Skylar’s mother came to stand at her side.

“What?” Skylar shot Austin a death stare, Betrayal had never stung this deep before. Her own mother had invited the devil in…again.

“Now lower your voice,” her mother warned. “It’s a good thing I sent Jude upstairs to fetch something for me or else he would have heard all this commotion.”

“Who’s Jude?” Austin’s back straightened as he waited for either of the women to enlighten him.