Fuelled by Forever

Ch. 16

Imogen

Jude's autobiography sales are down. The publishers believe it's the backlash from the hateful posts online, so they expect a small turnout to the signing they're holding in Westfield's shopping centre today.

Jude is already at the venue, texting me every few minutes to let me know if the queue outside the bookshop is any bigger. My heart hurts for him. None of this is his doing, but people are treating him like the bad guy.

I'm almost there, I text Jude.

Jude: I can't wait to see your face.

My fingers work hard to text back, And I can't wait to kiss your face!

Jude: I'll be waiting...

Imogen: It's been at least an hour since my lips touched you...shocking!

Jude: I know!!!

My cheeks hurt from the size of my smile.

Imogen: I love you. (Love Heart emoji)

Jude: I love you more, beautiful. xx

Knowing he's not feeling the most confident right now, I send him some words of encouragement.

Imogen: I'm so very proud of you. You should be proud of yourself, too. This book shows how far you've come in twelve years. The world can't wait to read about how you got here! You inspire me every day, sweetheart. I can't wait to be your wife! (Kissing-Face Emoji)

Jude: Fucking love you to death. Do you know that? You make me feel so many good things.

Imogen: I do. xxx

I'm tagging along with Nathan and Summer, catching a ride with them into the city centre to support Jude. Summer is in charge of the music, getting a little sassy with Nathan when he tells her it's too loud.

"I can't hear myself think, honey," he replies, but Summer has none of it.

I enjoy every moment of their back and forth, laughing when she tells him the song needs to be loud to feel the meaning behind the lyrics. It sounds like something I would say and Nathan eventually gives in because she does, in fact, have a very valid point that Noah Kahan sounds better at full volume.

Summer loves music, just like Nathan says.

Nathan turns the volume down a little, laughing when Summer gives him the stink-eye. "Tell Imogen about the festival we're going to this year."

Her cheeks grow red as she shakes her head subtly at him. She's shy but so very sweet with it. Nathan catches my eye in the rearview mirror to tell me where they're going.

"Noah Kahan is playing there!" I say with enthusiasm.

"I know!" Summer bursts with excitement, looking like she regrets it when she fiddles with her headband to turn back to face the front, so I carry on her enthusiasm.

"What's your favourite song of his then?"

Nathan again catches my eye in the rearview mirror, sending me a thankful smile. "Good question, Imo."

"The View Between the Villages," she says, moving her head quickly to speak to me, "but the extended version."

"I love that one," I say, earning a smile from her.

Nathan slows down at the traffic lights, getting a lot of looks for his gorgeous car. Aston Martin's catch people's eyes, that's for sure. It's just as beautiful inside, and the rumbly engine vibrates up your legs.