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Before I can even process what’s happening, he closes the gap and his fist connects with Matt’s jaw. Matt stumbles backward before catching himself with a shouted, “What the fuck, Hudson!”
“Jesus Christ!” someone shouts nearby.
Surprised yells erupt from the partygoers who witnessed the whole thing. Matt touches his lip, fingers coming away red with blood. The split at the corner of his mouth makes him look even more pathetic than usual.
“Get out.” Hudson’s voice is steel. Hard, unforgiving. Final. I’ve never heard him so angry. “Now.”
Matt glares up at us, dabbing at his bleeding lip. He looks between Hudson’s imposing frame and the faces that have started gathering at the bottom of the stairs. I catch sight of Aspen and Callie pushing through the crowd, their faces etched with concern. Behind them, Cole’s black hair catches the light as he moves forward with Gage. The Williams brothers follow in their wake like some kind of protective army coming to save the day.
Matt seems to realize he’s severely outnumbered. Laura crosses her arms and huffs. “Are you seriously going to let him hit you like that?”
“Shut up.” Matt spits blood onto the hardwood floor. “You think these guys actually give a shit about you? You’re just another easy lay to them,” he tells me.
The venom in his voice makes my chest tighten, but before I can respond, he’s already pushing past the crowd toward the front door. Laura scowls at me then stomps after him.
Good fucking luck, bitch.
The tension in the air slowly dissipates as people return to their conversations, though I catch several curious glances thrown our way. Hudson turns back to me, his knuckles slightly swollen but his expression softer now.
“Why did you do that?” The words tumble out of my mouth before I can stop them.
“He doesn’t get to insult you.”
Warmth spreads through my chest again, wrapping around me like a blanket on a cold night. I hold my hand out to him. He takes it without question, helping me navigate the rest of the stairs. His touch is grounding and reminds me that not all men are like Matt.
“Oh my god, are you okay?” Aspen reaches us first. Her teacher instincts kick in immediately. She scans me for injuries like I’m one of her students who took a tumble on the playground.
“What happened?” Callie’s hazel eyes flash with concern.
“Matt,” I say with a heavy sigh. “The usual insults.”
“I’ll be right back.” Hudson kisses the back of my hand then moves toward Cole and Gage, falling into a hushed conversation. The guys all look furious. It’s nice to know that they’re on my side.
Aspen wraps her arm around my shoulders. “He’s a terrible human.”
“The worst.” I attempt a laugh, but it comes out hollow. “God, I hate that he can still get under my skin like that.”
“He’s always been a toxic asshole.” Callie’s voice drips with disdain.
“The man was a walking red flag factory.” Aspen squeezes my shoulder. “I’m glad Hudson was there to defend you.”
I glance over at Hudson, who’s still deep in conversation with the guys. The protective way he’d stepped up, no hesitation—it’s everything I’ve always wanted. A place to belong and feel protected. How did I spend so much time with someone who made me feel small when men like these exist?
“Now that I know what good men look like,” I murmur, watching Hudson’s profile, “I hate that I wasted so much time on Matt.”
“Hey.” Callie grabs my chin, forcing me to look at her. “You didn’t waste anything. You learned what you don’t want. That’s valuable too.” She had a pretty horrible ex too, so I trust her on this.
“Good point.”
Hudson returns to my side, slipping his hand back into mine like it belongs there. The simple gesture sends relief flooding through me.
“Everything okay?” His thumb brushes across my knuckles.
I nod, leaning into his solid warmth. Being protected, wanted, craved. Kept safe? It’s the best feeling in the world, and I’ll give up anything to hold on to it.
Chapter Seventeen
GAGE
