My jaw hits the floor of Hudson’s Bronco as we pull up to the behemoth stone house built into the side of the mountain.
“Dude, you said the place was big.”
“You don’t think this is big?”
“No. I think it’s fucking massive! It’s like a mini mansion in the sky.”
Hudson laughs and hops out to start unloading. He parked in one of the three garage bays, which is lined with shelves full of neatly organized outdoor gear. There are lawn chairs, fishing poles, corn hole boards, and life vests. It looks straight out of an HGTV episode.
We live in an affluent area with large homes, but this house is next-level. I knew Hadley and Hudson’s grandparents had money, but I didn’t realize they were loaded like this.
“You coming, or are you going to sit there and become one with the garage?”
I roll my eyes, climb out, and grab some bags from the trunk. I follow Hudson up the front steps, where he fishes a key out from under the welcome mat.
“The housekeeper left it for us,” he explains when I give him a questioning look.
He opens the door, and we all file in. Oohs and aahs echo through the entryway before everyone is off in a frenzy, racing to claim their bedrooms for the week.
Archer, Matt, and a couple of our other buddies from the soccer team were last-minute additions. Since they’re stuck with air mattresses in the upstairs loft, they hang back to help Hud and me haul everyone’s bags inside.
“Archer, glad you’re in a walking boot,” I say. “But what are you going to do while the rest of us are out on the lake?” I look at my friend who broke his leg during our last soccer game a few weeks ago.
“Work on my Greek god tan, I guess. I’m just happy to be off crutches, and I’ll happily spectate if it means I dodged going to my Aunt Martha’s. She has thirteen cats, and I’ve never seen a litter box,” he shudders.
We all crack up, then split off to find where everyone ended up, taking in the house as we go. Massive windows span the three floors, flooding the space with light. Thick beams and log walls give it a lodge-like vibe. A stone fireplace anchors the room, surrounded by oversized leather couches and red-and-black checkered blankets. Through the back windows, I catch sight of an outdoor fireplace and a hot tub on the deck overlooking the lake and the lush green mountains.
This place is awesome, and way beyond what I expected.
“Hudson, I snagged us a room!” Ella barrels into Hudson, arms wrapping around his neck. He tries to hide the grimace, but I see it.
Disappointment punches through me. What were we thinking? Of course everyone would assume Ella and Hud would share a room.
We should’ve planned better.
“There’s one unclaimed bed in our room,” Hadley calls as she rounds the corner, eyes scanning the group.
Nothing but crickets.
My stomach drops. I’m the odd man out.
I give her a weak smile. She stops in her tracks, realization hitting her like a wave. “Oh no. Nope. Not happening. Someone switch with me. I am not sharing a room with him.”
“I have an idea,” Hudson cuts in, a spark in his eye. “Ella, why don’t you take the extra bed in Hadley’s room?” he suggests. “Cullen and I can bunk together.”
Ella’s face falls. “But it’s the only king-size bed. And do you really want to sleep with Cullen?”
Hudson shrugs. “We’ve shared a bed many times. The only one making it weird is you.”
Well, damn. Hud is usually the group’s yes-man, but right now? He’s taking what he wants.
I’m what he wants.
“Yeah, Ella, room with us. There are two bunks with doubles and plenty of room. Please?”
I’ve never seen Hadley beg before. It’s kind of comical.
“Okay, that does make more sense, I guess.” Ella smiles wide.
