Chapter 31: Jude

"Are you fucking kidding me with this shit, Portia? What the hell is your problem?"

I'd woken up filled with regret and the intention of making things right with Portia. The problem was, by the time I got out of bed, took a shower, and felt human enough to form sentences, I was dehydrated. I'd screwed up. It didn't matter if I'd thought it was all in good fun or believed she wouldn't find out, much less be hurt by my actions. I loved Portia, and that should have trumped anything else I thought was going on last night. I didn't have a reason for why it didn't, only that it wouldn't happen again.

I'd been ready to make that commitment and that apology until I had strolled into the kitchen-feeling like death-to find Ernie, Hensley, and Portia waiting to pounce.

"I did what I thought was in your best interest, Jude. And that was telling Mom and Dad." Portia tried to maintain her resolve, but she was seconds from breaking down.

"And you thought telling them I went to a party last