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The love Jude carried for his closest teammate was so strong he could barely live a normal life since they met. This love at first sight, as he liked to call it, was doomed from the beginning and he knew it. He had to keep it a secret in the toxic environment that soccer was in order not to ruin his club's reputation. He kept it hidden from everyone, even his own family.
He managed to turn a blind eye on this whole situation until Erling got married and started a family, 3 years ago.
Jude thought he couldn't hurt more than the day his best friend announced that he was getting engaged, until he held Erling's newborn in his arms for the first time. And as if it wasn't bad enough, he and his wife decided to name her Judith to honor Bellingham and everything he did to help Ingrid during her pregnancy. Erling knew his best friend would shed a few tears when he'd announce the name of their baby, but definitely didn't expect him to bowl his eyes out like a child in front of them.
He will never know the reason why Jude cried so much that day was because naming his newborn after him hurt more than anything else. And of course, Jude could only feel guilty about it. But how could he pretend he wasn't in love with his best friend, who has been loving him like a brother for years ? Out of control and out of mind, Jude couldn't do anything. Only take it in until one day, the feelings would miraculously disappear.
It was 7:00pm when Jude's ringtone began echoing in his living room. Problem : he was taking a shower.
The call could be from anyone. A brand he was working with, his mom, one of his teammate, his coach... No matter who it was, he could not miss it. He rushed out of the shower while tying a towel around his waist, and ran to the living room. Quickly, he picked up his phone.
"Hello ?"
"Jude, hi..."
He immediately recognized Erling's voice.
"Oh, hi !" A smile naturally formed on his lips. "It's been forever since we've last called each other !"
"I know. It's just... I called because I have a favor to ask you." He sounded worried. "It's pretty urgent, actually."
Jude's eyebrows frowned as he passed a hand through his wet hair, his expression getting serious again.
"Tell me."
"Could you keep Judith for a few days ? I know it's very sudden, but nobody is available right now and you're our last hope." A sigh of despair could be heard. "One of our friends got into a car accident and his state suddenly worsened an hour ago. We need to be by his bedside when he goes."
Jude took a moment to consider every word Erling said.
"Oh, man. I'm sorry..." He blinked frantically, overwhelmed by the whole situation. "But I... I have a packed schedule this week, you know ?"
"Please, Jude. I need to take a fly to Oslo tonight with Ingrid, and Judith can't come with us."
"Why can't she ?"
"We didn't prepare anything for the flight. It all happened very quickly and it'll be easier if she stays in New York until we come back. She doesn't sleep very well these days and I'm scared that our stress impacts her... I usually find a solution but right now I can't, and I'm not gonna lie, I'm scared and-"
"I'll look after her." Jude cut him off. "Send me your location and I'll leave as soon as possible."
Erling seemed surprised.
"Can you do that for us ? Really ?"
"Of course. I've already taken care of her in the past, I can do it again. You can always count on me, Erling. I told you."
"You said you had a packed schedule, though..."
"It's ok ! I'll find a way to sort it out." He reassured him. "The priority right now is that you take your flight without worrying about Judith, so I'll come over and I'll look after her while you two fly to Oslo."
This time, a sigh of relief was heard on the line.
"Thanks, dude... You're really the best. I'll send you our location right away."
"Don't worry, man. I'll be there as quick as possible. See you."
"See you, Jude. Thanks again..."
Erling hang up, and Jude ran back to the bathroom to dress up and pack some stuff.
That's when he realized love really does make you foolish, because he would have never accepted this favor if it wasn't for Erling's well-being.