Yellow Lines

Chapter 22 - The Unexpected

The next day, I woke up and went for a jog with Jules. We visited the market for groceries and some other items. I still didn't get a call or message from Jerry since I last saw him on Friday but I figured he was busy with the business or Siena's pregnancy issues, especially how she was due month-end.

Jules and I visited Luke later in the day, and since it was their first time meeting each other, I was surprised it went well. They spoke for some time and Luke actually said he would book a ticket for Grenada this year to meet my mom. I believed him this time because he sounded genuine.

Since his waking from the accident, I saw a lot of the old Luke—the Luke I fell in love with from the beginning. He seemed less tense and more supportive. Something I rarely experienced before the accident.

When we left the hospital around five in the afternoon, Jules and I spent the rest of the day watching Netflix and prepping for his interview. Having a roommate really made a difference, especially when my other best friend was no longer in the picture.

On Monday, I woke up early and made Julian breakfast as he got ready for his ten o'clock appointment. I knew Jerry would have called today because we had our tattoo appointment with Lorenzo. When he'd finished getting dressed and ate, I gave Julian a good luck kiss on the cheek and sent him with my driver. I waited until it was 2:30 p.m to call Jerry and find out about the tattoo but his phone just rang and went to voicemail.

I felt dumb. I didn't have Angela's number to call in case something happened to him.

I took a bath and got dressed just in case. But when it was a little after four and he didn't show, I took a shower and put on my pajamas. It pissed me off that I was upset with him. I knew he had a pregnant girlfriend to deal with and there was always the possibility of Jerry leaving me high and dry, but somehow the idea of him not calling or texting angered me. When I turned on Netflix and curled into the couch, I heard a knock on my door.

I opened it to see Julian looking shaggy and tired. "Uh... what's going on with you?" I glanced at the wall clock just to make sure. "Did the interview take that long?" Julian walked past me and I closed the door. "Why are you looking like that? Did you fight with a dog?"

Julian unbuttoned his shirt and pulled off his vest, his face looking the least bit happy. But as he stripped, I had to take a raincheck. When on earth did he find time to look this ripped? Damn...

He turned and walked into the kitchen bareback and opened the refrigerator.

"Jules," I shouted. This boy was ignoring me.

He threw the glass of water down his throat and put the glass in the sink. "I just need to take a shower, Lei. I will let you know when I'm finished." He disappeared into the bathroom, taking clean clothes with him.

Well, fine then.

Forty boring minutes later, he emerged in a vest and slack pants. I moved from the couch and settled on my bed to give him space. "So... how was your interview?"

He rolled his eyes. "You really don't waste time, huh?"

"No. Spill it."

"Good, they really loved me. They said to expect a call within two weeks."

"That's great. I knew you're brilliant," I clapped. "But why it took so long?"

"It didn't, I was only there for an hour."

"What?" I counted on my fingers. "It took you six hours to meet home?"

"Lei... you sound like my mother."

I rolled my eyes. "What were you doing and why did you come home looking like that?"

Jules hopped onto my bed and extended his legs across the short end, lying on his side. "I got lost. I forgot my phone at home and I couldn't call the taxi. I couldn't even remember your number so I couldn't call you from a phone booth."