Our gazes meet and hold, and everything I feel for him wells up inside me.
“You haven’t returned my calls or texts, and I want to explain,” he says gruffly.
Before I can answer, he steps closer, and I catch sight of his painful-looking black eye. “Oh my God! What happened?” Instinct has me reaching to touch the bruise, but I stop myself and lower my arm.
“Your brother,” he mutters. “But forget about that.”
“Which one?” I need to know which sibling I’ll have to kill. The only one I can exclude is Braden.
Hudson holds up his hands. “I plead the Fifth. Anyway, it doesn’t matter. I deserved it for not being up-front with you about what my father said.”
I grind my teeth but have no plans to argue when he is right. Not about one of my brothers punching him but about not telling me everything.
“Can we talk?” he asks.
I cross my arms in front of my chest, needing distance, because all I want to do is forget yesterday had happened and go back to when I believed we have a future.
A lump rises to my throat, and I have to force out the words on my mind. “I’ll admit I don’t know what happened or why. And that maybe I jumped to conclusions about something I don’t understand… but you lied to me.”
“I know, and I’m sorry.” He looks down, obviously upset with himself.
I’m not sure how to reply, so I remain silent.
Hudson runs a hand through his hair and groans. “Take all the time you need. I’m not going anywhere, and we can talk when you’re ready.”
“Don’t you need a wife? I’d think that would put a rush on whatever happens next.”
He winces but lifts his chin and solidly meets my gaze. “I’m not marrying anyone for money. I never was.”
I open my mouth to reply when Dion comes barreling out of the doors in front of me. “Brianne, tell me I kicked ass today on that field!” he says, pride in himself clear.
“Good job, Dion. Now control that temper,” I warn him. He grins, salutes, and strides off, probably to celebrate because that is who he is.
I am about to address what Hudson has just said when the double doors open again, and this time Braden strides out.
His gaze shoots between us, and he winces, obviously catching on that he’d interrupted something. “Umm, sorry, but do you think this is the best place for a private conversation?”
Hudson shakes his head. “We’re not talking, at least not yet. No worries. If you need me, I’ll be in the office,” he tells Braden. He glances at me, his gaze saying what words can’t before he strides down the hall.
Braden raises his eyebrows at me in clear frustration.
“What?” I ask defensively, though I do feel guilty for not letting Hudson explain. But the memory of all the men before him who had used me for one reason or another stays with me, and when I heard Hudson’s words and realize he’d lied, he’d broken something precious between us.
It is easier to focus my anger on my twin, and I take two steps forward, giving him a hard shove. “You’re a jerk!”
“Hey, what did I do?”
I frown at him because to me it is obvious. “You took Hudson’s side, and you let Damon, Austin, or Jaxon hit him!”
A smirk lifts Braden’s lips, and he shakes his head, finally letting a laugh escape. “Pick one, Bri. Either you’re mad at him or you’re not.”
I can’t help the pout that purses my lips. “I hate you.”
“No you don’t. But you’re being a stubborn princess, and it’s not like you to jump to conclusions at something you overheard or to ignore everyone’s calls. We’re all worried about you.”
“I’m allowed time to process,” I say, annoyed he doesn’t understand my feelings.
“You’re not processing. You’re sulking.”
