Tonight, all I could think about was that moment when our eyes locked in my bedroom. For just a fraction of a second, I thought I saw something in his expression.
Longing, maybe.
But it was just my mind playing tricks on me.
“I’ll see you early Monday morning, right?”
I blink, snapping out of the memory. Ella is looking at me expectantly, waiting for me to say something.
“Sorry, I spaced for a second. Monday?”
“Yeah… the lake trip?”
Ah. Yeah, that’s going to be interesting now that Hadley and Cull have split.
“Right. Be ready by 6:30 a.m.. We’ve got to pick up Cull, too, then meet everyone at the diner for breakfast before we caravan to the mountains.”
“Great! Thanks for the free dinner.” She winks, then gets out of the car.
I wait until she’s safely inside before backing out of the driveway and heading toward Cull’s house. I need to check on him, just to make sure he’s alright. I reach for my phone to give him a call, and notice a missed text from him. It was sent just a couple of minutes ago.
CULL: You still out with Ella?
ME: Just dropped her off. Wanna hang?
CULL: Meet me at the river?
ME: There in fifteen
CULL: Right behind you
A small smile tugs at my lips. Any time with Cullen feels like a win, even if it’s my turn to offer some support. It’s the least I can do after what he did for me on Tuesday.
And I want to.
An idea pops into my head. It might be silly, but I think Cull will appreciate it.
I stop at the first dollar store I come across and run in to grab the few things I need. I’m in and out in under two minutes before I’m back on the road, headed to my favorite place, at my favorite time of day, to see my absolute favorite person.
There may be some salvaging this night yet.
Eighteen
Cullen
My mind is still racing from the last hour as I bump down the dusty road to our spot on the river. I came home to an empty house, and the silence was so loud I thought I might lose it. I stood in the entryway for a full minute, just listening to nothing but the whir of the air conditioner.
Not able to sit around and let my thoughts spiral, I messaged Hudson, hoping he and Ella had already ended their night. His response was swift, excitement and relief threading together.
I roll to a stop next to Hudson’s Bronco and throw my truck in park. Through my windshield, I spot a figure sitting on the steel beam railing of the railroad bridge, looking out across the unusually calm river. I know this is his favorite time of day to be here. With daylight savings pushing the sunset later, and since we ate early, we still have time to watch the oranges and pinks of the setting sun.
Navigating my way through the tall, unkempt grass, I easily climb over the railing and walk down the wooden planks toward Hudson. He hears me coming and smiles.
“Fancy meeting you here,” he jokes when I make it over to him.
I chuckle. “You say that like we didn’t just make these plans twenty minutes ago.”
“I know. I just always wanted to say that.”
