Page 21 of Thrown Off Balance

I let myself zone out and my mind wanders. I don’t know what I'm going to do about Jude, but I think I can honestly admit to myself that maybe I don’t want to date him any longer. We had a great six months, but I don’t enjoy being tossed aside by my boyfriend every time he feels like there’s someone better to talk to.

My thoughts drift to when we’ve gone out with co-workers for happy hour. For the most part, Jude was always at my side and being the attentive boyfriend I’ve learned to expect, but there have been a few times he’s ignored me the entire night. It was always when one of the guys would show up. Someone he thought was cool and he found impressive in some way.

Am I always going to be tossed aside when he finds someone else more interesting? What happens if eventually he finds a woman who holds his attention more than I can? I can already see it being a problem. I don’t want to constantly worry about my boyfriend cheating on me or dumping me for someone else.

But Cody… Cody was always the best boyfriend. He’s never felt the need to impress anyone. He’s happy just being him and if people don’t like that, he doesn’t care. He’s always been comfortable sitting back and relaxing while Jax stole the show. He was happy sitting with me and playing with my hair… just like he is right now.

The level of comfort I had with Cody was so different. We fit so well together. Like two puzzle pieces made to be together. We could sit in silence and it wasn’t awkward. We didn’t feel the need to fill the silence with pointless chitchat just to make noise. We were ourselves around each other and didn’t feel the need to put on a show.

I miss that.

I want that type of relationship again.

“Sloan!” Jude waves a hand in front of my face and scowls at me.

“What?” I frown at him and pull back slightly, making Cody’s arm settle around me instead of my chair.

“I called your name like five times.”

“Sorry, I zoned out.” I shake my head, trying to forget all about my previous relationship with Cody. We’re different people now… Right?

Except I don’t feel different. I'm still so much like the teenage girl who was forced to move away from the first boy she ever loved. Sure, I'm older and more mature now, but I feel like at my core I'm still the same person.

What if Cody is too?

“Jax asked what time we’re coming on Sunday?” Jude’s voice is tense. I want to roll my eyes at him and tell him to stop acting like a child, but I don’t want to cause a scene. Especially out in public with three major league players. People will recognize Wyatt, Jax, and Cody right away.

“I told you, I don’t think it’s a good idea for us to go,” I hiss.

I don’t know why it’s so hard for him to understand me not wanting to hang out with my ex-boyfriend’s family. Most boyfriends wouldn’t approve of you hanging out with your ex, let alone get upset when you don’t want to.

“And I said we’re going,” Jude’s voice drops to almost a growl.

I glare at him, but I don’t say another word. I'm so fed up with him. I'm not going home with him tonight. I’ll beg Charlie or Sophia to drive me home, or I’ll order a ride. I'm not locking myself in the small confines of a car with him.

“Come on Sunday. You don’t have to talk to me at all, but Charlie really wanted you to meet Carter and Sophia wants you there for the gender reveal. I know my mom and dad would be thrilled to see you too,” Cody leans in close and murmurs in my ear.

“I don’t want to make you uncomfortable,” I whisper, staring up into the striking blue eyes I’ll always love.

“Sweetheart, you could never make me uncomfortable.” He moves his hand so it brushes over the soft skin of my neck and I suck in a sharp breath. “I only said you don’t have to talk to me because I thought that would make you more comfortable. I want you to come. I know when you moved you missed Mulberry Lane and I know everyone would be thrilled to see you again.”

“Ok, I’ll come… Do I have to bring him?”

“No.” Cody chuckles. “You can do whatever you want.”

Cody pulls me closer and presses a soft kiss against my temple. When he releases me, he keeps his arm around my shoulder like that’s where it’s meant to be. I could get used to this.

Chapter 11

Cody

Though I spend most of the night talking to my siblings, I keep an ear out for anything Jude or Sloan say. I don’t understand what Jude’s deal is. He’s been nothing but rude and demanding when it comes to Sloan. I couldn’t imagine dating someone like that.

I feel bad for Sloan. I can tell she’s annoyed and doesn’t want to deal with him or his obsession with Jax, but I don’t know how to fix it. I can’t stop him from coming to games. I can’t push him away from us because that could push Sloan away too.

As much as I keep telling Jax I don’t want to date Sloan and to stop pushing her towards me, I’d love nothing more than to see if there’s still a spark between us. I want to see if what we shared was just a crush or if it was something more.

As soon as the bill comes, Jax slaps down his credit card and hands it back to the waiter. I'm shocked he’s willingly paying for Jude, but I'm not surprised he covered the rest of the check. Jax is always generous when it comes to the people he loves.