He didn’t want to lie. “Blair.”
“Who’s Blair?” Luke asked.
Hud walked them through it, from the first night at Dewey’s to the other night. When he finished Creed shook his head and Luke just stared at him.
“What?”
“Man, you really fucked that up,” Luke said. “You didn’t think to tell her you weren’t looking for anything serious?”
“No.” Hud leaned back. “I knew I liked her more than anyone I’d been out with in a long time, but I didn’t think—” He shook his head.
“You didn’t think she’d make you feel differently.” Creed smirked.
Hud looked at him for a moment, then nodded. “Yeah. That’s right.” He picked up his phone. “I need to apologize, but this case comes first.”
“Send her a text,” Luke said. “Let her know you want to talk when you’re back.”
Hud stared at the screen, took a breath and typed.
We need to talk when I get back.
He waited. The bubbles appeared and he held hisbreath.
I think you said all you needed to.
“Shit,” he muttered and typed back.No, I really didn’t. I’m sorry about the other night. I’d like to talk.
Let me know when you get back.
I will. Are we going to talk?
I’ll think about it, Hud. You hurt me.
I never meant to. I’d rather do this in person.
Get with me when you’re back.
I should be home Saturday.
Fine.
Hud stared at the screen, then set the phone down and shook his head.
“Trouble?” Creed said.
Hud handed him the phone. Creed read it and passed it to Luke.
Luke chuckled. “Don’t you love it when they say fine?”
“It’s never fine,” Creed said. “Wren and Abbie have both put me through that.”
“Bryce is good at it too,” Luke said. “My wife has it down to an art.”
Hud leaned back. “I’ll call her when I get home. Talk to her properly.” He picked up his phone again and called Dave, kept it brief, then looked at the other two. “He’s getting us a room in Autumn Falls for tomorrow night. We’ll need to check out early and head that way.”
“Alright.” Creed stood and stretched. “I’m beat. See you in the morning.”
“Same.” Luke headed for the door. “We’ll be at the truck, Hud.”
