Archer’s ears flush, and he clears his throat. “Uh, guys, this is Theo. We met him and his friends at the lake, remember?”
Cullen grins knowingly as he shakes Theo’s hand. “We remember. You doing good, man?”
“I’m doing great.” He pulls Archer into his side, locking his arm around his waist.
My eyebrows practically shoot off my forehead.Is Archer gay, too?No. He’s dated girls before…Right?I’m confused, but don’t want to be rude and ask.
“I can see the wheels turning in your head, dude,” Archer jokes, amused. “Theo’s my date. We’ve been talking since the lake.”
“Are you gay?” I mentally facepalm myself.Smooth, Hudson. Real smooth. “I’m sorry, that was shitty to just blurt like that.”
Archer chuckles. “It’s all good. But, yeah, I am.”
Well, I’ll be damned. I’m grinning like an idiot. At least, it feels like I am.
“Is that a recent thing?” Damn, my mouth is going to get me in trouble if I don’t learn to filter.
This time he outright laughs. “No, I just don’t advertise it. I flirt with everyone, so I let people assume what they want.”
“Good for you, man.” Cull smiles and gives him another hug.
Our conversation is cut off when a group of parents walks up, phones in hand, ready to snap even more photos. Cull tugs on my jacket sleeve, leaning in close. “Your dad is here.”
I duck behind Cull, not ready for this. Not here, not now; but if I ignore him, someone’s bound to ask questions.
“Hudson…”
Shit.So much for hoping tonight would go smoothly.
I hesitate before stepping from behind Cull, spotting my dad off to the side, fidgeting with his wedding ring. I take a fortifying breath and let it out through my nose.
“Dad.” I greet him, my voice stiff and defensive, my walls slamming into place. I won’t let him guilt me over loving Cullen. He can be right about a thousand things. But not this.
“Can we talk? I’ll make it quick.”
I glance at Cullen, and he gives me an encouraging smile. “I’ll be right here.”
I nod and walk with Dad toward the back of the lot. My nerves kick into overdrive, and when we’re far enough from everyone, I stop and face him.
“You look great, Hud.”
“Because I’m not lying in a ball in my bed crying?”
He flinches, remorse all over his face.“I deserve that.”
I stay quiet, waiting for him to get on with whatever this is.
“Son, I’m sorry. I let my fear of you getting hurt get in the way of what was right in front of me. There were things I never should’ve said. I don’t want you thinking I’m not proud or supportive of you.”
I keep my expression neutral. He’s not getting a free pass just because he showed up and got teary.
He sighs, blinking quickly. “I was watching you earlier at Cullen’s house.”
That catches me off guard. I never saw him.
“I was in Mom’s car, a few houses down. But I could see you two clearly.”
“What did you see, Dad?”
