LOSE ME OR LOSE HER

21. AN OFFICIAL APOLOGY

Chapter 21

📍MADRID,SPAIN🇪🇸

~Torys POV~

We got back from the trip a few hours ago. I'd already started unpacking, but didn't quite finish. After a quick shower to refresh myself, I went out to grab some groceries and made a simple dinner: white rice with baked chicken wings and veggies on the side. Now, I was eating and rewatching Outer Banks, letting myself relax for the first time all day.

But as I watched the show, I remembered that Jude would be coming over any minute now. I wasn't exactly looking forward to it. After everything, he better have a good reason.

I finished the episode, then did the dishes. As I was putting the last plate away, I heard the doorbell ring. My heart skipped a beat, but I took a breath, walked over, and opened the door.

There he was—Jude. "Hey, Tory," he said, looking me in the eyes.

"Come in," I replied, feeling a little nervous. We walked over to the couch and sat down.

"It smells good in here," he said with a small smile.

"Yeah, I made some dinner," I replied. Then I got straight to it. "Sooo... you wanted to talk?"

"Yeah," he said, rubbing the back of his neck and looking almost as nervous as I felt.

I waited as he took a deep breath, his eyes finally meeting mine. "Tory, I need you to know... I didn't regret the kiss. Not even for a second. But after that, I got scared. Scared that I wouldn't be able to give you what you deserve."

I felt a twinge of hurt, but I tried to keep my voice steady. "So you thought pushing me away was the solution?"

He looked down, running his hand over his face. "I know it sounds stupid, but I was afraid of letting you down. I've... got trust issues, Tory. Because of... Alexandrea. She wasn't good for me, and I still carry a lot of that with me. I guess I got freaked out when I realized how serious this was getting between us."

I could see how hard this was for him to admit, but it didn't make it hurt any less. "Jude, I'm not her," I said softly, my heart aching. "I'd never treat you that way. But you have to let me in, or this won't work."

He nodded, looking ashamed. "I know, and I'm sorry, Tory. I tried to handle this on my own, but all I did was push you away. I thought I was protecting you by keeping my distance, but I see now that I was just being selfish and scared."

My anger softened, though the hurt still lingered. "I would've been there for you, Jude. You didn't need to go through all this alone."

He reached over and gently took my hand. "I know that now. I was stupid to let my past ruin this... ruin us. But I want to make it right. If you'll let me."

Part of me wanted to pull away, to keep my guard up after everything. But I could see in his eyes that he was sincere, that he wanted to try.

"Okay," I said quietly, after a moment of silence. "But I need you to promise me something, Jude."

"Anything," he said, his voice barely a whisper.

"No more running. If things get hard, we work through it together. No more pushing me away."

He nodded, squeezing my hand gently. "I promise, Tory. No more running."

A small smile crept onto my face despite everything, and as he looked at me, his thumb brushed over my knuckles. For the first time in a while, I felt a glimmer of hope.