Semua Bab Why Did You Leave Me When I Needed You Most?: Bab 1 - Bab 10

Jude Queens hated going to these things. High school parties had been bad enough, but college parties? They were a whole new type of terrible. The air was thick with mingling scents of sweat, cheap cologne, and spilled alcohol. There was no way to make it to the bathroom, and if you did, it was worse than disgusting—sticky floors, overflowing trash cans, and unmentionable substances on all surfaces. Missing these gatherings was his MO, but they'd just won a game tonight, and Yon and Klaus just would not let him stay home. It was not like he was any fun at them, anyway. He didn't drink, didn't smoke, and did not have any intentions on getting involved with anyone. And yet here he was, holding a red cup of what was probably stale beer. He sniffed it; yeah, beer."Can you at least try to look like you are not in hell right now, Jud? Can you do that? For me?" Yon asked.Jude shot him a look in response. "You said I could go home after one drink."You haven't even touched it! It's been an

Jude's eyebrows shot up. "That's really sad," he said."Yeah, it's a shame, and he was a good player too. You would have liked him," Yon told Jude.Klaus snorted a laugh. Jude glared at him."What?" Yon asked.Jude took a sip of his beer."Oh, nothing. So what's Malachi's sexual orientation?" Klaus asked.Jude choked again. For fuck's sake."What? Why? Do you want to date him?" Yon asked with a laugh."Just curious," Klaus said dismissively.Yon appeared uncertain. "I don't know. Straight, I guess? He hasn't been in touch. He postponed last semester," Yon replied."He's had girlfriends?" Klaus asked.Yon gestured vaguely with his hand. "Yeah, a couple."Jude's balloon went flat. He looked at Klaus, and Klaus shrugged."That's too bad. We'll just postpone college experimentation another day," Klaus said.Yon laughed outright. Klaus smiled at Jude, and Jude shook his head. That was all right. So Malachi was truthful. Something would not have happened between them had he not been. Jude t

Malachi Flynn started showing up for training. Although he didn't get to join the team, he kept training and playing with them. He even refused the uniform, wearing only his gym wear. Jude Queens was getting used to him being around. He'd watch Malachi from afar, like not seeing him, and Malachi fit in with the rest of them just fine. Malachi was always talking, always smiling. He kidded and laughed if he did something wrong. He spoke Spanish flawlessly with an accent Jude couldn't identify but found utterly enchanting. Jude witnessed Malachi humming softly to himself or nodding his head to the rhythm of a tune that didn't exist more than once. When he did, it was impossible not to look. Jude never knew anyone who radiated as he did. His smile was infectious, and his laugh lit up the whole gym. Malachi still wrestled with conditioning, and you could tell how tired he was at the end of practice. But Jude knew he'd get there. It was just a matter of time.They were finally able to get i

"Come on," Malachi stated, moving forward to stand by Jude.Jude mimicked his movements, pushing it between his lips and looking at Malachi."That's it. Now suck it in, like when you take a breath when you're surprised." Malachi acted like he was surprised, opening his eyes wide, and smiled when Jude raised an eyebrow. Malachi grabbed Jude's shoulder and placed his hand on Jude's chest. "Don't hold it in your mouth. You need to pull it down here." He smacked Jude's chest.Jude took a breath, and Malachi smiled.“That’s it. Now hold it in,” Malachi said, mimicking taking a deep breath and holding it with Jude.Jude couldn’t look away from Malachi’s eyes. He swear Malachi was moving closer.Malachi breathed out. “And let it out.”Jude did as he said, breathing the smoke out almost in Malachi’s face. Malachi didn’t seem bothered.“That’s it.”Jude tried to hold Malachi’s gaze, but his eyes watered at the effort. He pushed Malachi back as gently as he could and doubled over, coughing. Mal

"Know what?""That Malachi's into drugs.""I know he smokes," Jude said.Yon sighed. "Getting stoned with Malachi is like you playing video games on Tuesday. That's his tame self," Yon said.Jude shifted uncomfortably again. How bad could it be? It was still Malachi."Is that why he's so out of shape?" Jude asked.Yon nodded with a smile. "It's sweet that that's how you pay attention. Everything is about the game to you. But, yeah, living like that would do that to you. As long as you know what we'll be getting ourselves into, I think it's fine.""I know," Jude said, although he wasn't so sure. "What do I need to change into?" Jude asked, glancing down at himself."Anything's fine, Jud," replied Yon. He let out a deep breath, taking the console from Jude's grasp, and played as Jude cut in.Malachi lived in a high-rise apartment complex. It wasn't one of those huge high-rises with a thousand tiny apartments. He had a doorman, and the lobby resembled the foyer of a first-class hotel. Th