Maybe.
Hudson goes still, staring at the note like it might bite him.
“What’s going on?” I ask, a chill creeping over my skin at his seasick expression.
Wait. The sticky note Hadley found a few weeks ago. The texts from that unknown number. My stomach sinks.
“Hudson, look what I just found in my locker.” Ella materializes out of nowhere. She’s frazzled, and she’s holding a small note in her hand.
He takes the paper from her and opens it so we can both read it.
You had to beg to be his fake girlfriend. Too bad he’d rather have dick.
You’re just a desperate little whore for his attention.
Jesus. That’s brutal.
“Check your locker,” Hudson murmurs.
“Why?”
“A hunch.”
I do as he asks, walking the few feet to my locker. I spin the dial and wrench it open.
Sure enough, sitting right on top of my books is another note, with my name scrawled in that same messy handwriting.
He’s a homewrecker. Go find another cock to choke on. He’s mine.
“What the fuck?” I growl.
Hudson appears at my side, taking the note from my hand. I watch his eyes dart over the words again and again.
Someone knows about us. The only person who does is standing right next to Hud. I narrow my eyes at Ella, and she takes a step back.
“I didn’t tell anyone, I swear. I would never do that to you.” She’s begging him with her eyes to believe her, but he’s not looking anywhere but at the words scrawled on the paper.
His breathing turns shallow, his color draining from his face. His chest is heaving now, eyes glassy with tears.
Fuck. He’s having a panic attack.
I slam my locker shut, making Hud flinch like he’s been shot.
“Shit. I’m sorry. Come with me.” He doesn’t resist when I take him by the elbow, leaving Ella standing in the hallway. I lead him out the side doors, passing Matt and Archer as we go.
“Hey, you guys o—” I ignore Archer’s question, herding Hud into the courtyard beside the student lot. His breaths are fast and harsh, his body trembling from the overload.
“Hud, you need to breathe,” I murmur, trying not to draw attention.
He opens his mouth to speak, but no air makes it through.
His throat’s locked.
We need privacy, so I scan the parking lot and see the field house in the distance. It’s too far, but it’s the only place we can be alone. I rush us across the parking lot to the run-down building, away from everyone’s view.
We turn the corner, and I guide Hud to the wall. He leans against it. Then his legs give out. He lands hard on the ground, fingers clawing into the overgrown weeds, head bowed as the sobs overtake him.
I drop to my knees next to him, heart splintering. I feel so fucking useless right now, and seeing him like this again kills something in me. He told me this happens. That it hits without warning. But still, I made a promise to keep that shine in his eyes, and right now, it's fading.
