“Looks like we’re in luck.”
“Are you serious right now?” Hudson shrieks.
“What? It’s fine, it’s—”
“A creepy hotel in the middle of fucking nowhere! Look around us! There’s… nothing.”
Thunder booms so loud, I swear I feel the vibration beneath my feet.
“It’s not creepy, and we’re not in the middle of nowhere,” I say in defense. “We’re in New Jersey. You can’t see anything because of the rain—I bet there is stuff everywhere.”
I think. But I won’t tell him I’m unsure too.
“Same damn thing!” Hudson cries, his head falling back and hitting the headrest with a thump.
I turn to look at him, but he’s staring at the roof of the car.
“Hey, come on. It’s notthatbad. At least we aren’t alone. We have each other.”
He doesn’t look at me or speak. Just keeps staring at the roof like it’ll open up and aliens will beam us both straight to Newark and clear the weather at the same time.
“Hudson…”
Thunder booms again and lightning flashes. I reach out to grip his shoulder, my fingers brushing along his neck, and the only acknowledgment I get is his eyes closing.
I let out a sigh. He can be mad all he wants, it doesn’t change the alert.
Shelter in place.
We’ve got no other option.
“I know it ain’t the Ritz, but it’s just until the storm passes, okay?”
He shifts out of my grasp, leaning against the window. When he opens his eyes, he looks out of it, but says nothing.
I purse my lips as I try my hardest to remember the advice in my self-help books. When something goes wrong, remaincalm.Breathe. Count to ten. Focus on the things around you like…
Like the smell of rainwater and spicy cologne.
All I wanted to do was help, and somehow I’ve made everything worse. Hudson stares out at the rain.
“I’m going to get us checked in, okay?”
Nothing. Not a peep. If I didn’t see the rise and fall of his chest, I’d be concerned, but his breathing is steady, so I take that as a good sign.
Well, maybe notgood, but… I think he’ll be okay while I get us a room for the night.
He’s still in the same place when I get back with our key. I unlock the trunk and grab both our bags, but he doesn’t move. I let out a sigh as I come up to the passenger door and knock on the window. His warm brown eyes find mine through the glass, and I’m not sure if it’s the rain or…
If those are tear stains on his cheeks.
I press my forehead against the window. I need to get us both inside. I’m freezing. A hot shower is top of my list right now, but before I can do that, I need to make sure Hudson is okay.
“Come on,” I say, though I am not sure if he can hear me. I hold his gaze. He doesn’t look away.
Just as I am about to give up, the door opens.
A smile of relief forms on my face as his hand slides over mine for the briefest moment.
