Hud pulls free. “Relax, dude. I overheard her on the phone once. She said it would be easy to get pregnant since you always leave your condoms behind.” He shrugs, casual like it’s nothing. “I figured she was just being dramatic. You know how she is.”
Sweat beads on my upper lip, my stomach dropping like wet concrete. “Hadley wouldn’t do that…”
Would she?
Small arms circle my waist, floral perfume hitting my nose.
“What wouldn’t I do?” Hadley purrs in my ear.
I flinch.
She steps in front of me, concern on her face. “Culley? What's wrong?”
Hud smirks, staying quiet.
“You’ve never messed with any of my condoms, have you?” The words tumble out, my brain not filtering my thoughts.
Hadley stares at me as if I slapped her. “What? Why would you ask me that?” Her voice shakes, but she doesn't deny it.
My pulse quickens, anger simmering just beneath my skin.
“I’m, uh… gonna leave you two to it.” Hud claps me on the back before he walks off towards first period. He doesn’t get far before Ella Hackford appears in front of him, leaning in close to whisper. He throws his head back laughing, the booming sound echoing down the hall. He lays his arm across her shoulders and leads her around the corner and out of sight.
My jaw tightens.
They’ve been close since they were kids—since before I came into the picture, but something about her rubs me the wrong way. Maybe it’s her overly bubbly personality. Or the way she laughs a little too loud, just a second too late.
Maybe it’s the way she touches him…
Before I can crack a tooth, I force my attention back to Hadley, now loudly ranting to her two best friends.
“Why won’t you answer my question?” I snap, needing to hear her deny it.
Her chin wobbles, eyes glassy. “I can’t believe you’d think so little of me,” she whispers.
Damnit.
I sigh and pull her to me. “I’m sorry, Hads. I just… I don’t know anymore.” She melts into me like always, but things have shifted. They feel… different.
Our blow-up yesterday cracked something in me. The things I’ve been ignoring are now making themselves known, and I don’t think I can keep pretending.
Hadley wipes at her smeared mascara as her friend Maggie tugs her away. “I’ll see you later, Culley. No more silly accusations.” She blows me a kiss and struts off.
Unease lingers on my skin like a film as I watch her go.
I traipse into first period and spot Hudson talking to our friend Archer, who throws me a head nod. Hud breaks off the conversation and watches me slide into my seat.
“Sorry if I caused issues,” he drawls, not sounding all that sorry.
“You didn’t cause an issue. Weareone.”
He snorts. “I love my sister, but I think it’s probably time y’all call it quits.”
Maybe he’s right. But I love Hadley… I think. I tell her I do anyway, and that’s what’s making letting go so damn hard.
Class starts, but I can’t concentrate. My gaze keeps drifting to Hudson, focused on his worksheet, solving calc problems like they’re toddler puzzles.
They may be twins, but Hud and Hadley couldn’t be any more different. Sometimes I wonder if I ended up with the wrong sibling.
