too much love

😘

— Jude x

“This mug's almost as beautiful as yours. ‘preciate it, babe.”

           the brunette pushed through the crowd of dancing people, a joyful smile on her face while she began making her way towards the bar.  nearly two drinks, four shots in and the girl was feeling nice. amazing actually and it was always thanks to the tequila. genesis had been looking back towards her circle of friends, a single hand motioning towards the bar to let them know where she was headed. not even a second passed before her body collided with another’s, ❛❛ shit ! ❜❜ the first words to come rolling off the girl’s tongue before her eyes shot up to see who she’d crashed into,. ❛❛— my bad. ❜❜

Roscoe was barhoppin’ as always, celebrating a particularly good business day in the city. It had been a bit of a night already, but despite the fact that it was supposed to be a bro night, his friends had split. It was alright, though, he was used to showing up to bars by himself, usually with the intent to run into someone he could bring someone home with him... or at least drag them out to one of the bathrooms. Most nights, however, they didn’t literally bump right into him, making him spill his beer. “Oh, hey hey hey, watch it,” he spoke loudly over the music, as he lifted the bottle out of the way to avoid spilling the rest. Then he got a better look at the chick, a familiar face. “Genesis,” he greeted, lips splitting into a grin, “Ain’t seen you in a while. How the hell are ya?”

     she nodded excitedly. “yes. a romance novel, set in the sixties, with star crossed lovers. it’s pretty fun, actually.” lana admitted. then, she hummed for a second. “well i don’t know if gas station, but definitely airport. and as for the cover with the chick ? no, no way. my publisher is paying me too much for them to drive it to the ground with a stock photo on the cover.” lana said with a laugh. this new book was very different from the last one. when she pitched that she write a romance novel instead of another family-themed one, since she wanted to branch out and not become the dan brown of mother-daughter stories. the publisher was very much on board and asked her to deliver something that sold, and naturally, that meant that she had to put in a little sex. well, maybe not a little, but enough. she agreed because she had never written a sex scene prior to this book, and lana loves a challenge when it comes to her writing. she laughed at his image of the fairies. “well, i made them hot because i wanted them to look like barbie. the strapless mini dresses were entirely on whoever drew tinkerbell the way she was drawn.” 

“What’s it gonna be then? The cover.” Roscoe had only ever come across the highest tier of stereotypical romance novels, so his brain was pretty damn stuck on Fabio and the ocean of very attractive but ultimately completely interchangeable women. He was maybe a little disappointed that hers wasn’t like that, but still intrigued by Lana Rowe writing sex scenes. If anything was going to get him to pick up a book, that was likely to be it — his mom, former school librarian, would be so proud. Good old Deb Reeves was already talking about Lana and how exciting it was to have a real author out of Beaumont. That was how Roscoe had found out about her career in the first place. “How are you gonna say that and then blame me for thinkin’ they’re hot — Tinkerbell’s every dude’s first boner. You’re smart; you can’t convince me you weren’t aware of that fact.”

Ah, fuck it. Her fingers moved to run through his hair on the back of his head. “Looks like it. I’m always right, remember?” She leaned in just enough to feel the breath of his on her face and went on to kiss his cheek. “I don’t know, is it? If your love for Kendall is true, then it shouldn’t get lost. Now, if your heart’s so big it can love everybody… that’s a different story.” 

Roscoe had to admit, Kenna’s fingers weaving through his hair felt kinda nice. Like pretty much everything else about her. “So poetic, Blondie,” he said with a smirk as she kissed him, one hand slipping down to cup her ass. Couldn’t help it, just happened. “Wouldn’t say everybody, but it ain’t all reserved for Kendall. Room for you too.”

She found his words amusing, only because of the way his expressions were changing. He was getting annoyed, wasn’t he? Sophie used to have that kind of effect over people - they either loved or hated her, there was never a between. “How am I being paranoid?” The brunette asked, tilting her head on the side. “I’m just saying. I like to think I know Jude a little better, and if I’m being honest, I’m getting a Jude-ish vibe from you. Ever heard of ‘first impressions’ Ken Doll?” Those two together? They’d burn down this town, and try to pin it on aliens if they could.. and that was only a wild guess.

“Well for starters you’re jumpin’ to all these conclusions about Jude and me when I’m tellin’ you I just think he’s a cool dude,” he insisted — hell, it was even true. Sure, maybe that orgy was being talked about, but that was just a joke. Mostly. And apart from that whole thing, he personally thought they’d been pretty damn morally decent for once. “Can’t say I mind the ‘Jude vibes’ though or the Ken Doll, definitely takin’ that one as a compliment. You’re kinda remindin’ me of my ex-girlfriend too.”

     she remembered her mothers funeral and how glad she had been to see him and his family show up – lana and her family had really needed and appreciated the support, even if none of them seemed particularly certain about what was the right thing to say. “yeah, for sure, i will. as a thank you for listening to all of my early work.” she joked, chuckling. as he wrapped his arm around her waist, she moved closer to him and put her arm around him too, her head still leaning against his shoulder. “i’m trying, y'know ? my current one is a romance novel. it’s lighter but still taxing because for some reason I love angst.” lana admitted and sighed. “hey!” she laughed, poking at his ribcage. “don’t go picturing my innocent fairies the way you’re doing, mister.”

His interest was piqued a little as she mentioned her new book. “You’re writin’ a romance novel? Like one of those gas station ones with a swoonin’ chick on the cover?” he half-teased, but he’d definitely read it if it was one of those. The sooner, the better. Wasn’t that he liked them (he’d flipped through one of his mom’s Barbara Cartland novels and it was bad), but he’d be incredibly interested in Lana Rowe essentially writing porn. “Hey, I’m imaginin’ them in a real flatterin’ light, don’t you worry ‘bout that. Ain’t my damn fault you made ‘em hot.”

“Nah, mate, I haven’t reached that level of desperation just yet. When I do, I’ll go dolphin before penguin just for you my man.” Client? It had just dawned on Sebastian that they might have been having two separate conversations when it came to the singer. Unless Roscoe was a pimp, which, if he was honest, he could kind of see. “See all you got to do there is make her change who she thinks ‘Daddy’ is. Then all that whining becomes a lot more attractive.”

Roscoe touched his hand to his heart with a laugh, “Appreciate it, man, I really do. I promise the same.” Not that he seemed to be anywhere as close to the animal kingdom as Seb... but well, it was the thought that counted, right? Even when it came to weird bestiality jokes. “I don’t know, with the way she’s whinin’ to current Daddy, I don’t think I want in on that. Least not often enough that those calls go to me instead, don’t think her ass is worth that. But go for it, maybe you can be her daddy.”

“Yeap, I am one of those ladies.” She never had to work, which was a good thing, because she would get fired after a week if she had. “My mama never worked either.” Emma shrugged, tossing her hair aside. “I don’t have any plans for my future but I have feelin’ that’s what’s gonna happen eventually.” She admitted, although her face fell a little. As much as she didn’t want to become her mother, she knew she was gonna end up just like her. 

“It sounds temptin’, it’s sad that we can’t fuck right here, right now.” She let out a loud laugh, leaning closer. “It’s never too early to share a jail cell. Have you ever been in one?”

He knew that Emma's family were well off, she hadn’t exactly hidden that fact, but it was still kinda wild to him that they were one of those families. As much as he’d definitely adapted to being at least moderately rich, he was still pretty much a self-made man. Roscoe couldn’t even begin to imagine how it felt to just be cruising along because money got everything out of your way. “Ain’t nothin’ wrong with that. Just don’t settle for the first dumbass who tries to put a ring on you. Gotta get yourself a good deal.“

“We could,” he said, eyebrows bouncing suggestively, though mainly as a joke. Unless she was down for it. But Emma didn’t seem like the kind of girl who was cool with just fucking in the bathroom, which was the best he could manage right then. “Yeah, once or twice for bein’ ‘drunk and disorderly’, but that’s about it. How ‘bout you?”

Summer’s brows lifted in amusement, a soft chuckle escaping her. “I don’t think I’ve heard the stereotypes. I mean, whatever they are, it’s complete crap. You should know this by now,” she laughed. To be honest, as far as her attitude went, it had been a bit of a roller coaster since high school and Roscoe had never known her when she was there. At his words, she wrinkled her nose for a moment, then nudged him, “Well, aside from my dog and my daughter, you’re probably the most steady thing in my life…”

“I know, I know, just messin’ with you... but incidentally this exactly fits the one I was thinkin’ about,” he said with a grin, highly amused by his words about her turning out to be at least vaguely true. He didn’t buy much into stereotypes, anyway, although he considered himself quite the people connoisseur, especially when it came to the ladies. They usually radiated their issues from a mile away. “Ain’t that cute. Almost might as well get married at this rate, huh? Adding before she could say anything: “That was a joke, not an actual suggestion, just so we’re clear on that.”

“Oh, none taken. She would definitely choke me like Bart and Homer if I did some fuck shit…” Which Jude did on the regular somehow. He was surprised how she put up with his ass. 

Jude thumbed through his contacts for the Junkhouse, already stored on there, looking up at Roscoe every so often. “Why don’t they like you lately?” Pressing the phone to his ear, he waited. “Yeah, hi — can I get a home delivery please? Yes. Yeah. Uhhh, two orders of mac and cheese waffles, a pot of mac and cheese, on the side, ummm….some bacon on the side too…” He pulled the phone away from his ear, “You want anything else, Rosc— Rose?” he quickly saved.

“Eh, it’s a long story,” he brushed the question off, reaching for the bong instead. A dignified appetizer before their mac and cheese waffles, which were sounding better by the second. Thankfully, the Junkhouse picked up, hopefully distracting Jude from his refusal to answer. Not that he outright wouldn’t talk about it, ever, but the story didn’t exactly make him sound good, so he wasn’t gonna jump at the chance to tell it.

A short pause, trying to think if he needed anything else. A high-pitched attempt at a girly voice, just in case, landed on chicken wings. And maybe some pie. Jude was such a bad influence on his eating habits. “Ain’t gonna be gettin’ off this couch today, just so you know.“

Now was not the time to take the dog away, not until she had given that little sweetie all the attention she deserved and more. At the invitation she rolled her eyes, but still kept her attention on the dog. Giovanna was clearly the most interesting and important figure in this whole exchange.  “There are a thousand things I rather do then enter that cesspit of a pad.” Jessica didn’t even want to imagine how many people the ‘stud’ of Beaumont had brought back. Sue? Now that caught her attention and she finally looked back at Roscoe. “Other this cutie? I’ll be seeing you in court, darlin’.”

“Hey, that’s my childhood home you’re talkin’ about. And it ain’t that bad — I even just had it cleaned and all,” he insisted, though honestly he wasn’t that bothered. Old Red had made her point clear long ago, and now Roscoe was just getting in her way for the hell of it. Had to pass the time somehow. “Yeah yeah, she’s all over you now, but that’s just cause you ain’t her mommy. Once you start telling her no, then you ain’t so great anymore.” Not that he did much of that. “But hey, maybe you can dogsit for me.”

She wasn’t, what the fuck did he want from her? Kenna wasn’t about to start pretending for his sake. Not now, not ever. Smirking at his words, the blonde leaned in closer to whisper to his ear. “I’m sure it’s your heart.” Pulling back, she smiled. “Every guy thinks with their heart I’m sure. It just happens to have a different shape.”

That made him laugh, alright. She was funny, he was into it. “Might be it, I could be wrong,” he said, still chuckling away as he got a tighter grip on her waist. Wasn’t about to let her pull back too far. “It’s all connected anyway, ain’t it? So my love for Kendall Jenner gets a little lost in my bloodstream and ends up resoundin’ somewhere else, no biggie.“

“No, but isn’t that a quick assumption from your part? Or do you actually like me because I’m with Jude and he’s all cool?” This was the longest conversation the two of them had - so unless her boyfriend promised him a threesome with the hottest girls he knew, then Sophie couldn’t understand why. “He didn’t promise you nothing?” That was funny enough to make her crack a smile. Sure, she didn’t know him well but she knew Jude. “Right.. a cool dude. Whatever he told you, please remind him that I would appreciate it if he kept his messes away from our house. I’m not cleaning after random girls either of you did the dirty with.” 

“Ever heard of ‘first impressions’, Barbie doll?” he asked with a smirk, kind of hoping he was getting to her. At least in his mind, Sophie was being argumentative for no real reason. It was likely all on the suspicion that he was a bad influence on Jude. Which... alright, that was probably not entirely inaccurate, but it went both ways. Not that he wanted to tell Sophie any of that. He wasn’t sure what the arrangement with her and Jude was and frankly, he didn’t care to know. Whatever it was, he wasn’t ratting a bro out. “Why are you so goddam’ paranoid? I’m gettin’ kinda worried about you.”

“Oh, because we’re both such a handful,” mused Summer with a shake of her head, brows raising at him. She knew he was joking, of course, even if —- on some days she felt like a major handful for anyone. She’d never been the type to be a burden to someone, she went out of her way not to be, which was the main reason her last relationship ended, she supposed. “Definitely try not to. I’m above that.”

“Weeell, everyone knows the stereotypes are true when it comes to redheads, I don’t make the rules,” he kept teasing, couldn’t resist it. It didn’t even ring particularly true for her — she was far from being a crazy fiery-tempered bitch, in his experience with her at least. Although thinking about it, he would kinda like to see Summer throwing things. Would probably do her good, too. “You are, and better never forget it either. Ain’t a coincidence that you’re pretty much the love of my business life.”

“Yeah Flipper, the things swimmers have on their feet? Or you know just a real good name for a penguin.” Now that just reminded him of Pingu and for the first time in a really long while a small part of him got homesick. A small part missed him and his brother watching that in the mornings still half asleep and in their pjs. As soon as that thought arose he pushed it back down. Never the time for that. When Roscoe said he hooked up with her, Seb’s eyebrows rose a little out of interest. “Oh yeah? Does she keep you on your toes?”

“Man, I thought you were hitting it off with a genius dolphin, gotta say I’m a lil disappointed,” he said with a chuckle, though if Seb was trying to fuck a penguin... that was interesting too in that freaky frat bro story way, so he’d allow it. “Noreen? Eh, she’s crazy, but I can handle her. Ain’t the worst client I had to deal with.” A sad truth, considering how much she’d been yelling at him over everything and nothing in particular. He shouldn’t even be sharing any of this, but well, his clients’ expectations of confidentiality didn’t mean that much to him. “Just whines to ‘Daddy’ and stomps her feet when she doesn’t get her way, but I don’t think she’s capable of actually doin’ shit about it. She’s like a 6ft toddler. Wish you luck with that one.“