“And he left you out here on the sidewalk?” Carter demanded. Even if it was true, why wouldn’t Hudson go inside unless Bastian was up to no good?
“No!” Hudson answered and laughed. “He wouldn’t do that.”
“He better not.” Carter still wasn’t happy with the response from his brother. Protective? Yes, yes he was. Hudson was his family. His everything.
Hudson rolled his eyes. The bright smile on his face was one that Carter was used to seeing. More so since they’d moved there. The change hadn’t just been what was best for Carter. Hudson was thriving in the new town as well.
“I offered to grab coffee and food from the bakery. I caught up with Easton for a minute but was headed there now.”
“So everything went okay last night?” Carter asked, rocking back on his heels. Carter hadn’t driven out to the big property outside of town limits and close to the state park to check on his brother. He’d hadn’t texted Hudson a million times like he’d wanted. He’d remained calm and cool. As far as anyone else knew. He might have left his ringer on the highest volume all night just in case Hudson had called, needing him.
Hudson’s face flushed red and he quickly looked away while shifting on his feet.
Oh God! Carter didn’t need the dirty details about what Hudson had been doing with his tatted-up boyfriend. “I wasn’t talking about that, perv!” Carter shoved Hudson’s shoulder, really hoping that his brother wasn’t in the sharing mood.
They shared everything. Carter was the person that Hudson talked everything out with, including when Hudson had figured out he was gay. That didn’t mean Carter wanted details. And by Hudson’s blush and the avoiding of his eyes, Hudson must have very dirty details from the night before.
“Then what did you mean?” Hudson’s voice came out in a teasing tone.
Carter huffed. What a brat! “I just meant…I…”
“Weren’t you asking about my night?” Hudson asked sweetly.
Carter had asked about his night. But not like that! He found his own face heating. Damn it! “I just wanted to make sure he was treating you well,” Carter said. There. That was a good big-brother thing to say. “I’ve heard things about the guys out there. The county sheriff is not a fan.”
“You told me that the sheriff was a bigoted idiot that needed to retire,” Hudson reminded his brother.
“Doesn’t mean he can’t be right this time,” Carter argued, but yeah, he had said that. And Hudson always saw the best in everybody. It was Carter’s job to worry about who his brother spent his time with. Plus, he was a cop. Carter knew just how depraved some people could be.
“Bastian and his friends are wonderful. They’ve made me feel very welcome. I get fed the best food, I have plenty of people to talk to, and Bastian treats me like a prince.” Hudson’s smile grew. It was his real smile. When he was happiest. Carter had no defense against it. No one did.
“Fine.” Carter rolled his shoulders. “If you say so.”
“I do say so,” Hudson insisted. “They moved here for the same reason we did. They were looking for a place to call home. I really want you to give them a chance.”
“It’s not like I’m going to have much of a choice when you decided to date one of them.” He’d seen several of the couples and in at least one case three men together. Add in the talk of the town and Carter didn’t know what to think.
The door to the office opened and Hudson’s date from the night before stuck his head out.
“Are you okay, baby?” Bastian asked Hudson before looking at Carter with a scowl.
“Yes!” Hudson waved back. “Fine.”
Of course Hudson was fine. Carter was with him.
Bastian pushed the door the rest of the way open before stalking down the stairs. “I thought you were going to the bakery? Aaron called from there asking if we wanted something. I told him that you were headed that way, but he hadn’t seen you. I got worried.”
Oh, had Bastian been worried about Hudson when he wasn’t where he was supposed to be? This dating thing might not be a bad thing. Carter would have someone else who would be looking out for his little brother.
Hudson took a long breath before blowing it out. “I ran into Easton. Then Carter. I was headed that way! I’m perfectly capable of walking down Main Street.”
“You never know what can happen,” Bastian told him.
What the hell? Carter was a pro at looking after his brother. And he was standing right there. “What could happen to him? I keep my streets safe.” And his brother safe. He was ignoring the fact that he’d just had the same thought and worry. That wasn’t the point. At all.
“I’m sure you do, officer,” Bas replied. “And I didn’t mean anything by it. You can blame my worry on not being here long. I know it’s not the same as the city streets that I’m used to. I can’t help but worry about my boyfriend.”
Carter gave him a sharp nod. They were basically in the same spot. Both new to the small-town life and wanting Hudson safe. Carter relaxed, letting his irritation go. Hudson wanted them to get along. Carter would try. At least until this guy gave him a reason to be suspicious. “I get it.”
