I get out and open her door, then usher her into the restaurant. We find an open booth near the back and slide in. The air is charged with crackling electricity, and I’m scanning the dining room before I can stop myself. My gaze lands on a pair of burning green eyes, locked on me, his jaw set hard.
Cullen, Hadley, and her two besties are sitting at a table across the way, directly in view of our booth. Hadley’s too busy talking to her girls to notice us, but Cull is locked in.
He looks so damn hot in the backwards black baseball cap and green Henley that makes his eyes pop.
I offer a weak smile and a half-hearted wave, but all I get is a disappointed shake of his head. Then he curls an arm around my sister and pulls her in, planting a kiss on her temple.
Guess their fight is over.
When he looks back at me, it’s like he’s trying to prove a point. I don’t know what the hell the point is, but it leaves me feeling guilty and confused.
I should’ve told him I got pushed into this date with Ella. At the time, I was worried he’d ask questions, but I thought I could go on this one date, then never talk about it again. Dumb of me to think I could live in denial of it happening.
Ella catches where my attention is and snaps. “You’re here with me, Hudson. It’d be nice if I had your attention.”
My eyebrows shoot up, surprised by her anger. Her face twists with contempt as she sneers in Cullen’s direction. Of course, that’s when the waitress chooses to come over and take our drink order. The perfect timing to piss Ella off even more. She barks out a “Sprite” at the poor girl, who visibly stiffens before turning to me.
“I’ll have a sweet tea, please.” I give her a small smile, hoping to soften the tension. She heads off toward the kitchen, disappearing behind the swinging black door and leaving me alone with a fuming Ella.
“Were you just flirting with her in front of me?”
I choke out a disbelieving laugh. “What the hell? No, I wasn’t flirting. I was just trying to be nice after you were so rude to her.”
Ella’s face changes on a dime. “I’m sorry, Hudson, please don’t be mad at me. Please.” Her chin trembles, and a single tear drops down her cheek.
Seriously, what the hell is going on? I feel like I’m in the Twilight Zone. This shit isweird.
She wipes at her eyes and takes a shaky breath. “I’m sorry. I think I’m just nervous. This is my first date… and it’s with you.” She gives me a soft smile.
Movement behind her grabs my attention. Hadley is giggling while Cullen whispers in her ear and plays with her hair. She pulls him in for a kiss, and he goes easily, like it’s second nature.
So many emotions flare through me that the only way to describe it ismagenta. I heard that once on an old TV show I watched with my mom and Hadley—something about a bunch of old ladies living their best lives in Miami—and it stuck with me. Anger, sadness, and envy all rolled into one, each one fighting to be the winner.
I tear my eyes away, a fresh lump forming in my throat. I’m in my own personal hell tonight, and it’s my fault I ended up here.
Ella’s watching me again, and I can’t tell if she’s still upset or just trying to figure me out.
“You’re good. Don’t worry about it.” She perks up at my acceptance of her weird behavior and picks up her menu like nothing happened.
In my periphery, I see Cullen helping Hadley up from her chair, and start toward the exit. Cull glances back over hisshoulder, his eyes glum, and something else I can’t quite name. There’s a pull to go to him, to try and explain, but I stay seated.
He breaks our connection by turning away, walking through the door with Hadley’s hand in his.
Fuck, that hurts.
Archer and Matt walk in, giving Cullen fist bumps as they pass him. They settle in the booth next to us, both of them looking between Ella and me like they can’t believe we are on a date.
Same, my dudes.
I give them a half-hearted nod of my head just as the waitress returns, albeit reluctantly, and sets our drinks down. Ella flashes her a Cheshire smile and thanks her for the drink.
“Sorry about earlier. First date jitters.” Her tone is full of false sweetness, but I let it go.
“No worries, I totally get it. Are y’all ready to order?”
We give her our orders, and as soon as the waitress walks away, Ella launches into a steady stream of chatter. I keep my eyes on her, but my mind is on Cullen and the mess I feel like I’ve made.
I’m so fucking weak.
