Page 35 of Monochrome Without You
“How did you meet my mom?” Tate fires off another question, eyes locked on Trey. “I’ve never seen you at the coffee shop before.”
“Tate,” I interject. “Eat your pizza so we can head home.”
Jules looks at me, her hazelnut eyes stormy. “You’re not eating?”
“I’ll eat when I get home,” I say, keeping my tone even.Like I originally planned.
“Where did you get that bruise on your face?” Trey makes small talk.
“I got into a fight with Lance Yeardley at school because he told me Mom and Dad hate each other,” Tate explains with way too many details.
Thankfully, Kona appears with a plate of garlic knots, ending that conversation as he sets them in the center of the table.Garlic knots? On a first date?Jules definitely has no plans on kissing this guy later.
Good to know.
“Dad, give Mom a slice of your half,” Tate insists, nudging the pizza box toward me.
“I’m fine, bud,” Jules says quickly. “I’m going to share the one I ordered with Trey.”
Tate’s nose wrinkles. “What kind did you get?”
“Pepperoni, sausage, and peppers,” Trey answers easily.
I smirk behind my hand. Yeah, there’s no way in hell she’s kissing him now.
“Mom doesn’t like peppers,” Tate laughs. “She says they’re almost as bad as ant-cho-vees.”
“Tate,” Jules warns gently. “Be nice, please.”
“Iambeing nice,” Tate defends himself. “I just don’t know why you’d eat that when Dad got your favorite.”
Correction:ourfavorite.
“She’s trying something new,” I say, the words burning my throat on the way out. “It’s okay for her to venture out of her comfort zone.”
Jules glances at me then, something flickering behind her eyes. But I keep my expression neutral. Even if saying it out loud sucks, maybe shedoesneed to see what else is out there. Maybe she needs to realize, on her own, that I was the right choice all along.
Because if she doesn’t?
I can’t do this again, Corbin. I can’t sit with him at night while he cries for you like he did the first year after we split. I can’t be the one wiping his tears and making excuses for why his dad isn’t there.
Her words haunt me, looping in my head as I watch Tate process the entire scene around him. He’s still grilling Trey for information. Jules’ leg is still pressed against mine. Kona,standing behind the counter, isenjoyingevery second of the train wreck unfolding before him.
“Garlic knot?” Jules asks, reaching for a plate.
I glance at Trey, who’s busy explaining his job as a tattoo artist. Huh.Didn’t see that one coming.
“I’m good,” I say, then arch an eyebrow at her. “Garlic knots, though?”
Jules rolls her eyes. “I have gum in my purse.”
“Yeah, that’s not gonna mask the smell.”
Her lips part slightly in offense. “Yes, it will.”
“You sure about that?” I challenge as she picks up a garlic knot and takes a slow, deliberate bite.
“Totally sure,” she murmurs, swallowing. I watch the movement, her throat bobbing the same way it did when she was straddling me in my bed, palms against my chest, hips rolling, her head falling back as she—
