Cullen bursts into laughter, his softening cock slipping free. He kisses my shoulder, and I feel the ghost of his smile pressed to my skin.
“I love you, Hud.”
I nuzzle into his neck, the grin spreading across my face impossible to hide.
“I love you too, Cull.”
Definitely better than a chicken taco.
Twenty-Six
Cullen
I’m sitting in first period, lost in a daydream of Hudson’s tight ass wrapped around my cock. I can practically feel his warmth, hear his harsh pants as I pounded into my new favorite spot. I mean, Hudson’s got a killer body I’ve been lusting over for weeks. But that ass?Hot damn.
Almost a week has passed since our night by the river, but the memory is just as fresh as if it happened last night.
It’s been the best fucking surprise how easy it’s been to fall into a physical relationship with him. Maybe it’s because we both know, deep down, that we’re meant to be. Or maybe it’s the rock-solid friendship underneath it all. Either way, it’s felt as natural as breathing.
I know it’s unfair, and definitely weird to draw comparisons, but I can’t help it. Being with Hadley always felt like an obligation. Like checking a box. Something was missing, and now I realize it was the soul connection.
The physical was there, but even in our most vulnerable moments, there was never real intimacy. Hadley didn’t want to cuddle. She didn’t want to talk. Sex became a means to an end, and I started to resent it.
Maybe I had to fail with her so I could be my best for Hudson.
We laid in the back of his Bronco, wrapped around each other, completely naked, talking and listening to the rain, like something out of a sappy romance novel. And I fucking relished it. Every soft word, every quiet touch pulled me deeper into him. Into us.
I could see that love reflected back at me, and I made a silent promise to him and to myself to keep that shine in his eyes. To protect him from ever feeling the dull despair or self-loathing he falls into. I want to be his best friend, his lover, his shield.
I’d die for Hudson’s happiness.
And I know he’d do the same.
Speaking of doing the same… I wonder if Hud would ever want to try toppi—
“What has you grinning like an idiot?” Hudson whispers beside me, snapping me out of my dirty daydream and back into reality.
We’re in Calc, listening to our teacher drone on about derivatives or limits or some other bullshit.
I glance over and smirk. He catches on quickly, his cheeks flushing that adorable red.
“Don’t forget your final exam is in two weeks,” Mrs. Brown reminds us just as the bell rings, ending first period.
Hud and I exit the classroom together, shoulder to shoulder, heading toward our lockers to switch out books.
“How do we already have finals? We just had midterms before spring break,” I complain.
“Seniors take their finals a week before everyone else. Some bullshit to do with graduation,” Hud shrugs. He opens his locker and grabs what he needs for the next few classes, completely unfazed by the looming exams.
A piece of paper flutters from his locker and lands on the ground.mHis name is written on it in messy, unfamiliar handwriting.
“What’s that?”
“Dunno,” Hudson says, picking up the lined piece of paper. His eyes flick across it, jaw tensing.
I lean over his shoulder to read.
I know what you did, and what you are. But I’ll keep your secret.
