Even when he was mad at me for it.
I keep circling back to our conversation in Ryker’s truck.
Where he didn’t say a word about anything I’ve done wrong.
Shouldering the entire blame.
Just like he was taught to do as a kid who deserved so much better.
We sell out early in the burger bus again.
And as I’m standing in my bedroom in my robe after showering, looking at the wardrobe I’ve systematically hung up and sorted while I’ve been processing my feelings this week, debating if I’m brave enough to take the risk of going to see Simon and talk about everything that still worries me, Hudson stops and lounges in the doorway.
“You hear?” he asks quietly.
My heart thumps at his tone. “Hear what?”
“Somebody bought the drive-in. Stole it right out from under Lucinda Camille and her investors.”
I gasp.
Then go a little lightheaded.
Then tingly in my extremities.
But I don’t think it’s dehydration or working too hard or anything other than a gut feeling that the drive-in being sold is life-changing.
“Who?” I ask.
“No one’s saying. But the grand opening is tonight.”
He stares at me like that’s supposed to mean something.
I do quick math.
Not my birthday. None of my brothers’ birthdays. Not Daphne’s birthday either.
No significant anniversaries come to mind.
Griff’s playing Copper Valley at home in Atlanta tonight. Not an insignificant rival, but not Atlanta’s most hated rival either.
“Secret show,” Hudson continues. “Have to go to see what’s playing.”
And then it hits me.
Tonight is the first night of the community theater’s summer show.
I gasp again. “No.”
Someoneis stealing Lucinda Camille’s audience.
My brothers and I all have the same identical evil smile. Doesn’t matter that half of us have Mom’s mouth and half of us have Dad’s mouth.
We all grin evilly the same way.
Hudson’s aiming that diabolical smile at me, and I know I’m giving it right back to him.
“So. Wanna go see a movie?” he asks.
