“Hear, hear!” Cull laughs, raising his cup. “Didn’t know how good that shit would feel, but hot damn. It’s truly magical. And FYI,” he adds, pointing to our straight friends at the table, “that’s not just for guys in same-sex relationships. Find a girl willing to try it. It’ll change your life.”
A few of the guys chuckle. Others look like they might be down to find out for themselves.
We’re just starting to get back into the game when Hadley and Ella walk in. Hadley’s wobbling in her heels, Ella trailing behind her with bloodshot eyes and a too-wide smile. I know that look. She’s got something more than alcohol running through her system.
“Neverrr-have-I-everrr,” Hadley slurs, “been betrayed by my twin brother so he could fuck my boyfriend behind my back.”
Cullen tenses beside me. I grip the edge of the table, trying to keep my expression neutral, but my whole body’s gone cold. The good vibe shatters like a glass on tile.
Hadley’s eyes are glassy, her stare locked on Cullen and me. She waits, daring us to take a drink.
“Oh, wait, that was me,” she giggles after a tense beat of silence, chugging whatever she has left in her cup.
Cullen sighs. “Hadley, we didn’t tell you out of respect. We didn’t want to hurt you.”
She snorts, grabs Archer’s drink, and downs it. “Oo-oops,” she hiccups, blinking slowly. “Shouldn’t have done that. I don’t want gay germs.”
Did she really just—
“What the fuck, Hadley?” I shoot to my feet, my chair toppling backward. I march around the table, snatch the empty cup from her, and shove it back at Archer. “That’s out of line. Be pissed at us all you want, but don’t disrespect Archer.”
Her eyes focus, zeroing in on me. “You know what’sreallyout of line? You screwing with my relationship with Cullen.”
My body goes still, like I can stop this from unraveling further if I just don’t move.
“Surprised, huh?” she sneers, eyes glittering with hatred. Her lips wobble, but she covers it by grabbing Ella’s cup and taking a sip. “Yeah, me too. Got an anonymous text today telling me to ask Ella what happened. She didn’t want to admit anything, but I made her.”
I glance at Ella. She won’t meet my eyes. “I’m sorry, Hudson,” she whispers. “She begged.”
“It’s fine,” I reassure her. “I dragged you into it.”
“Perfect fucking Hudson,” Hadley spits, her voice cracking. She stumbles a little as she steps into my space. The fury radiating off her is enough to make my pulse jump.
My gut tightens.
In the corner of my eye, I see Cullen rise. He rounds the table and steps beside me, slipping his arm around my waist. His touch settles me.
Hadley tracks the movement, and it’s all she needs to explode. “Perfect Hudson with his straight A’s, and captain of the soccer team.” She laughs, but it’s an ugly, broken sound. “You’re Mom and Dad’s favorite, you know that?” she mocks. “They never say shit when you slack off, but the second I forget something, they’re all over me. You got the better SAT score, the better college, the damn full ride. You never get in trouble… You’re up on some pedestal I’ll never reach. You have everything, Hudson.” Her voice waivers on my name, and for a second her eyes glisten before she blinks hard, forcing the tears back.
She collects herself, her words sharpening, each one coming out like a dagger. “And because you’re a selfish asshole, youdecided to become a homoand wreck my relationship. All so you could steal my boyfriend, screw with his head, and makehim believe he’s something he’s not.” Her eyes widen, like she realized what she said just a second too late.
“Shut the fuck up, Hadley.” Cullen steps in front of me, forcing her to back off. “You have no idea what you’re talking about. And if you remember, I tried to tell you I was bi when we were sixteen. You were homophobic then, and you’re homophobic now.”
Hadley stands there, glassy-eyed glare aimed at Cull. Her bottom lip trembles, betraying her anger.
I’m still trying to breathe, still bleeding from every word she just flung like blades. It’s like the walls around me shrink, inch by inch, closing in.
Hadley scoffs and plants a shaking hand on her hip. “Oh, really? We both know you don’t actually want to be with Hudson.” She flicks her fingers at me like I’m something disposable. Then she leans in, dragging a pink-tipped fingernail up Cullen’s shirt before planting both hands against his chest. “I know what this is about. You’re just trying to make me jealous. You can bend me over right now, Cullen. I’ll let you. Right in front of everyone. I know you weren’t satisfied sexually with me, but I was shy. But if it’s adventure you want—” A tear slides down her cheek, her smirk brittle as she tries to keep control of this situation.
Cullen grabs her wrists and gently but firmly pushes her away. She stumbles, drunk and unsteady, colliding with Ella. Both of them crash to the floor.
“I’d apologize,” Cullen’s voice is cold, lethal, “but after what you just said, you don’t deserve it. Don’t you ever fucking disrespect Hudson again.”
I don’t wait for her response. I just walk out the front door, the shouting fading behind me.
No one even notices I left.
I think about driving home, but that’s a dumb idea even as it forms. But I need space, and there’s only one place that brings me any kind of peace.
