I’m not too excited about that last part.
Matt and Archer both thought it was weird; they said as much to me without Hudson hearing. At least I’m not the only one who feels that way.
Just seeing her so close to Hudson makes my skin crawl, and I’ve had to fight the urge to stake my claim on him. I halfway considered peeing on him like a dog marking a fire hydrant, but I’m not sure how he feels about golden showers.
We were all sitting around the lunch table today, talking about nothing in particular, when Hadley had the bright idea for us to go on a double date tonight. Ella was immediately on board, but Hud looked like he was just convicted of a crime he didn't commit.
I’m sure I looked much the same way.
Which brings me to now, sitting in tense silence next to Hadley, outside the new steakhouse in town. I’m counting down the seconds, waiting for Ella and Hud to show.
“Are you going to ignore me all night?” Hadley huffs beside me.
I grit my teeth, trying not to be an ass. This date completely derailed my plan to break up with her tonight. My mind was already made up, and now I’m wishing I had said no to this date and just cut the cord.
“I don’t have anything to say.”
She scoffs. “Maybe I need to find someone who is interested in a real conversation.”
Okay. I’m done. Fuck this double date shit.
I jump up from the bench. “You know what Hadley—”
“Are we interrupting?”
Fuck my life.
I whirl around, my mouth going dry when I see Hud and Ella standing there, hand in hand. My eyes itch to drag down his body, but I force them to stay put on his face.
Face is safe. Face doesn’t make me lose my damn mind.
Lies.
Doesn’t mean I don’t clock the navy button-down that’s cuffed around his biceps, or the distressed jeans hanging low on his hips. His perfectly tousled faux hawk is shorter than it was at school today, so he must have gotten a cut this afternoon.
It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell him how hot he looks, but I bite it back before I make a fool of myself.
“Hey,” he greets, his raspy voice only adding to his sex appeal. “Everything alright?”
I shove the image of Hudson’s clothes hitting my bedroom floor out of my mind before I end up with a hard-on I can’t hide.
“Everything is great.” My voice is tight, short.
Hudson can tell I’m full of shit, but he doesn’t point it out.
“Ready to go in?” He asks, trying to ease the awkward tension.
Hadley gets up without acknowledging anyone and walks ahead of us into the restaurant. I sigh and give both Ella and Hudson an apologetic look. He just shrugs, used to his sister’s attitude, and Ella seems off in her own little world, just happy to be on Hudson’s arm.
Inside, we find Hadley at the hostess stand, chatting with the girl behind the podium. The hostess asks if we’re all together, then leads us to a corner booth big enough to seat four more people. She drops off the menus and leaves us in silence.
“So, the trip to the mountains next week will be awesome. I got this new bikini…” Ella continues to talk without taking a breath, pulling Hadley into a conversation about our trip next week.
Thankfully, it breaks the weird vibe, and it lets Hud and me slip into our usual easy rhythm. Unfortunately, I’m only partially tuned in. My focus is split between the girl I’m ready to break up with and the guy I desperately want more than anything.
By the time dinner is over, I’m mentally wrung out and ready to talk to Hads. But instead of ending the night here, the girls make the decision for us all to go next door and grab ice cream, which annoys me further.
We all get our scoops and sit outside at a worn picnic table, the girls on one side and Hud and me on the other. It’s not a particularly big bench, so our thighs end up brushing.
