4
LOREN
Jude, Monroe, and I walked into Upswing wide-eyed as we took everything in around us. We’d been taken around back and ushered through a door marked for staff.
“This place is insane,” Jude whispered. I had his arm clutched in mine, and as I looked over to respond, I stopped, smiling at him.
His nose scrunched up, and he gave me a lopsided look. “What?”
“Nothing, just that you’ve grown a couple of inches since you came to live with me. Even in heels, you’re taller than me now. I just hadn’t realized it.” I moved some of his hair off his forehead, and he blushed. “I think you need a haircut, too. We’re gonna have to plan an excursion or something. Maybe we could have a Jude and Loren date? Go and take some photos, do those scooter things around downtown, and get you some longer pants and a haircut.”
“Sure, Lor. That sounds great.”
“Awesome. I know with how things have been changing lately that we’ve both been kind of occupied.” He gave me a look I didn’t want to necessarily decipher from my seventeen-year-old foster son, so I ignored it. “But I never want you to feel like you’re second. It’s you and me, JuJu. No matter what. That’s the misfit penguin creed.”
He laughed, trying to hide his blush, but I saw it and knew he appreciated my gushiness, even if he couldn’t return it.
“Sounds good. I have spring break in a week as well, so it would be a good time to go. Most everyone else is going on college tours, so I’ll be left in the city alone.”
“Is that something you’d want to do? You can go to college if you’re interested. I can help you with it all.”
“Oh, well… I just never thought about it before. Even with going to Timber Creek, it didn’t seem like the path I’d take.”
“What did you have planned?”
He shrugged, looking embarrassed. “I honestly never thought about it. It was always about surviving. I hoped to get a job or figure out something with community college, but it felt too scary to hope. I didn’t want to end up like my parents or Cameron, but in doing so, I kind of avoided it at all costs.”
“Hey, it’s okay. I’m here now, and we’ll figure out a plan together. That should be part of our mission statement. Speaking of your brother, are you worried about what his visit might mean?”
Jude had told Monroe and me on the way over about his brother approaching him outside Ignite and how he’d used Nicco’s number and asked for help. It had warmed something maternal in me to see him reaching out for help like that from one of my guys. We hadn’t gotten to talk about it too much, though, and I wanted to know more on how he felt about it, anyway. I knew he wouldn’t talk as openly with others around.
“I never know with Cameron. At one time, he was the only person I had, and I thought he was my hero, able to do no wrong. But when he left me, while I knew it was to find a way to help us both, it still felt like abandonment. And then when he did return, he was so messed up with drugs. He wasn’t the brother I remembered. I miss the brother who made sure we had food when we lived on the streets and the one who played with me while Mom and Dad were at work, but I don’t know this version of him. The brother who got me arrested because he was doing a drug deal and now wants to pull me into something. I know whatever he’s involved with, it’s not good, and nothing I do will change that. I care for him, but I’ve lived in enough crappy places now to know I don’t want to mess this up.” He looked over at me, worry on his face.
Bumping his shoulder, I gave him a smile. “Is that all I am? A place?” I teased. Immediately, I regretted it when his face fell, and panic rose as he tried to find a way to fix it.
“No, no, not at all. Sorry, I didn’t mean for it to sound that way.”
“Ssh, it’s okay, Jude. I was teasing, and it wasn’t the time for it. I know you don’t think of me as just a place. In fact, I was waiting to tell you this once I knew more.” I paused, taking a breath, and turned, taking his hands. “I’ve been looking into the steps to adopt you, and I have everything ready to submit. I just need to know if you want that. This isn’t how I thought I’d tell you, but yeah.” I shrugged my shoulder, dropping my eyes, unsure if I could handle his rejection. He was seventeen, so he wouldn’t necessarily need a guardian soon.
His arms wrapped around me before I could look up, and I relaxed into his hug. “That’s the most amazing offer I’ve ever been given, and I would love to be your true family. Yes, Lor, please.”
It was the ‘please’ that killed me like I’d ever say no to him.
Monroe walked back over after talking with one of the guards to see where we needed to go and found us a hugging and crying mess.
“Um, wow, okay, I didn’t realize sporting arenas were this emotional.”
Laughing, we pulled apart, and I started to wipe my tears. A handkerchief appeared under my eyes, and I looked over, finding Atticus holding one out. Smiling, I took it, nodding thanks.
“Sorry, we got a bit emotional. We’re all good.” I noticed Immy standing back wearing a cute gray skirt and black shirt combo. I smiled, feeling validated that he’d brought her. “Oh, Immy! It’s so good to see you.” I hugged her, and she relaxed. I didn’t know what was going on, but I’d make a note to check in later with her.
“Hey, Lor,” she breathed into the hug.
Jude looked put together when we pulled back and gave Immy a hug as well, and then we awkwardly stood in a weird circle of five, all looking at one another. Monroe, thankfully, stepped in, helping to dispel the weird energy.
“Lo, I found out where Wells is if you want to go, and I’ll stay with Jude,” he offered.
Before I could answer, Atticus spoke up. “Jude can come with us if he’s okay with that.” I looked over at him, and he nodded. I think if Immy hadn’t been there, his answer would’ve been different since he’d spent the least amount of time with Atticus, but I was happy he felt comfortable enough to go with him.