Is she serious right now?
“You don’t think that’s disrespectful?”
“Not if you’ve had some other slut out here. You were gone for a suspiciously long time, Cullen.”
I run my fingers through my hair, pacing in front of Hadley, and then it hits me like a baseball bat to the gut. “Hud and Ella were hanging out tonight. Maybe they…”
Hadley scoffs. “Don’t use them as scapegoats.”
“You know what? I’m done with this conversation.” I walk around the truck and slide into the driver's seat, slamming the door.
Hadley glares at me from the open passenger side. “I’ll let my mom know I’m staying with Katie tonight. Think really hard about your next move, Cullen.” Then she stomps off across the yard and back into the party.
I let my head fall against the seat, a headache pulsing behind my eyes.
“Cull?” Hud’s voice is weak and slurred.
I glance in the rearview. “I’m here, Hud.”
“I don’t feel good.” His skin’s pale, sweat beading on his forehead. His breathing is still shallow, but better.
“I’m taking you home. We’ll be there soon,” I tell him, then throw my truck into drive.
Getting Hud home is my top priority.
***
Pulling up to Hudson’s house, all the lights are off. Hopefully, that means I can get him to bed without his parents catching on. They might be alright with drinking, but if they see him likethis, they’ll likely flip their shit. I know mine would.
Thankfully, Hudson’s coherent enough to help me get him out of the truck and up the front steps. He sways unsteadily beside me, leaning against my side for support while I crouch down to grab the hide-a-key from under the same potted plant it’s been under since we were kids. Once I unlock the door, he drapes an arm over my shoulder again, his weight oddly comforting.
Hudson lifts his head from where it was lolling on my shoulder. “Wherearewe?” his words coming out in a slurred string.
“Your house. Let’s get you up to your bedroom.”
He starts to nod off again, so I give him a light smack on the cheek. His eyes snap open comically wide before going lazy again.
“Come on, man. Help me out here.”
He nuzzles his face to my neck like he did back at the party and takes a sniff. “You smell like evergreen trees and happiness.”
“You already told me that tonight, so it must be a good thing,” I chuckle.
“It’s the best thing,” he mumbles.
I smile, warmth spreading in my chest. Carefully, I guide Hudson up the wooden stairs to the landing outside his bedroom.
“You know I have a secret, Cull?”
I give him some side-eye and wait to see where this is going.
“But I can’t tell you. It would ruineverything...” His words melt together.
“Hud, you’re speaking in cursive.”
“Justaswell. Lots of secrets, but necessary. I don’t like not getting out of bed.” His head is resting on my shoulder, eyes closed as we approach his open bedroom door.
“I don’t know about you, but I love my bed. I’d never leave if I didn’t have to,” I joke.
