The Hustle of Love

Chapter 4: What Goes Around, Comes Around

After the party guest left, Judy helped Nick with Finnick. Nick was used to caring Finnick after he had passed out, but he liked Judy's help. Judy opened the door to Nicks's apartment while Nick placed Finnick on the couch.

"Isn't the first time he's slept there and it won't be the last. Thanks for helping Carrots."

"No problem Nick, did you like the party?"

"Yes Carrots, it was awesome. Thank you again for throwing it for me."

"Well, the surprises don't stop there."

Judy handed Nick a small box with a bow on it.

"What's this Judy?"

"A grenade. What does it look like you dumb fox, it's a present."

"Wow, thank you Carrots."

Nick opened the gift and inside were two items. The first was a carrot shaped pen with a built in tape recorder just like Judy's. The second was a metal coffee cup with Nick's name engraved on the side.

"Wow Judy, these are amazing, thank you. You really shouldn't have."

"Maybe so but I did, I wanted to get you the best gift I could."

It had been years since anyone had actually put thought into getting him a gift. Usually his birthdays consisted of him and Finnick getting drunk and passing out in the back of his van. He felt all warm and tingly inside, he knew what it was. It was the feelings Finnick had said would go away. But instead they had gotten worse. So much so that Nick caught himself actually thinking about kissing Judy as a thank you, before he caught himself and snapped out of it.

"Well you did just that Carrots, I love them."

"I'm glad Nick. I better get going, busy day tomorrow at work."

"Okay Judy, drive safe and see you tomorrow."

Judy left and Nick went to his room. He set the gifts from Judy on his dresser and laid on his bed. He began talking to himself.

"What are you doing Nick? Having feelings is one thing, but thinking about kissing her is another."

He battled himself on what to do with his feelings. On one hand, there was keeping it to himself till it went away. Then on the other hand, there was talking to Judy about it. But what if the feelings never went away? And what if Judy got freaked out when he told her and it ruins their friendship. Nick knew a lot of mammals. But he only trusted three, Finnick, his mother, and now Judy. It wasn't just the fear of ruining their friendship either. Judy was a little over five years younger than him. But even that wasn't the biggest issue, they were a different species. Nick had a few girlfriends in his life, but they were all other foxes. He never minded Interspecies couples, though, he never even considered dating someone who wasn't a fox. But now here he was, even if Judy looked past the fact he was much older, would she look past the fact he was a fox? Nick worried himself far into the night, and eventually he worried himself right to sleep.

The next three and half months remained uneventful for Nick and Judy. Nick continued to struggle with his growing feelings for Judy. Everyday he thought about telling her how he felt and that he liked her, but continued to keep it to himself. As for Judy she too struggled, her newly found feelings for Nick confused and scared her. Ever since Finnick's drunken comments she thought about Nick and if he had feelings for her. She considered the photo of the two of them that rested on his night stand and if it meant anything. Her feelings for him continued to grow stronger and she knew they were feelings of more than just friendship.

"Carrots, it's green."

"Huh? Oh sorry Nick."

"No big deal."