Page 73 of Last Boy

Jerking his head toward the passenger side, he rests his hand on the steering wheel. “Get in.”

Maybe it’s because I know he’s no threat or I’m desperate to find out where Walker is. Whatever it is, I bolt to the truck and climb inside.

“What’s going on?” I ask, buckling my seat belt. “Why are you here?”

“I’m here because, in a little bit, Walker will be at the arena for practice—but he won’t be alone.” He side-glances at me. “Beckett and Walker’s soon-to-be father-in-law have set up their wedding for tomorrow.” He looks ahead again. “Walker’s a good kid. And if he marries that girl, he’ll be miserable. I can’t let it happen.” He blows out a long breath. “I have dirt on his uncle. Enough dirt to bury him so deep that he’ll never resurface.” He pulls into the arena parking lot, parking between two cars. “Let’s stop this shit, yeah?”

Stunned, I relax my head back on the headrest before nodding. “Yeah,” I mutter with wide eyes. “Yeah, okay. Just tell me what to do, and I’ll do it.”

“First things first. You need to get Walker alone. If I know that hothead, he’s on the verge of losing his shit. He needs to pretend like he’s going with the flow.” When he sees the irritation on my face, he shrugs. “It’s the only way my plan will work. We can’t set off any red flags.”

“Fine,” I whisper and notice Hudson’s eyes focus on something behind me.

I turn slowly and watch Walker and a girl I’ve never seen getting out of his truck before heading toward the arena. Neither smiles, but it doesn’t matter. Physically seeing him with her hurts my heart.

She’s beautiful with her long, dark hair and the perfect amount of curves. And there’s no missing her ultra-trim stomach that pokes out from her crop top that’s matched perfectly with her leggings and cardigan, falling from one shoulder. I look down at my Hanes crewneck and my leggings and cringe. My hair is pulled into a messy ponytail because I’ve been working all day. Something I’m sure she doesn’t have to do. But I can’t hate her for that. This isn’t her fault.

“Now, I can see why he’s ignored my messages all day,” I huff out, watching as they disappear inside the arena doors, sulking like a baby.

“Nah, I’m sure Dr. Boobman blocked your number,” he answers nonchalantly. “Walker called me earlier. He said the same thing about you. That you weren’t answering his messages either. Didn’t take long for me to assume his uncle is severing all connections.”

My hands ball up, my fingernails digging into my palms, and I groan. “That man is a major controlling douchebag.”

Hudson leans forward on the steering wheel. “He’s worse than that, babe. He’s a monster. I’ve watched him do shit for years, and I’ve always just stayed out of it. Not anymore.”

Unbuckling my safety belt, I turn my body toward him. “And Briar? Does this have anything to do with her?” I say as gently as possible, not wanting to make him uncomfortable.

He stiffens before his shoulders slump the slightest bit. Something I’ve never seen in Hudson because he’s always been so strong and sturdy. Someone who seems untouchable.

“She’s too far gone, I’d say,” he mutters. “Walker’s fighting his uncle. I know he is. Briar gave up. She threw in the towel long ago.” He turns the key to his truck, killing the engine. “Come on, girl. Walker’s always telling stories about how feisty you are. I haven’t seen it yet. So, show me that fierceness. He saved you, and now, it’s time for you to save him back.”

His words hit me like a ton of bricks. Maybe I’m not as tough as I used to be. Maybe I have relied on Walker James to make everything okay. But not anymore. Right now, it’s my turn to be the hero for once in my life.

Hudson strolls in behind me, heading into the stadium, and when a few coeds walk by, I don’t miss the smirks they throw his way or the drool that runs down their chins as they look him up and down. Hudson’s got that broody bad-boy look to him. And I honestly can’t imagine him with good-girl Briar at all. But he’s attractive and incredibly smart, and she’s beautiful and quirky, so, hey, I guess it works. Or did until she went and got engaged to someone else.

“Heads-up,” Hudson mutters from behind me.

Off to the side, where the apparel shop is, I can barely see Gia approaching us.

I slowly breathe, begging for her not to notice me. But then again, why should I worry? I doubt she even knows who I am.

“Poppy,” she calls, quickly walking toward us. “Is that you?”

Swinging my gaze toward her, I’m so freaking mad at myself for not being better dressed today. Or curling my hair and maybe applying a little freaking mascara.

Would it have hurt you to just try not to look like you live in a trash can?

Smoothing my clothes out, I stand a little taller and look toward her. “Yes?”

Hudson doesn’t speak, but he stays close, observing intently.

“I thought that was you,” she says with a smile. “Walker has shown me pictures before.” She rolls her eyes playfully but giggles. “My fiancé sure likes to talk about another woman to me a lot.”

Right now, I don’t know if she’s a threat or an ally. I don’t know her. I have no clue what her intentions are. So, I’m not about to let my guard down.

“Umm…okay?” I shrug. “I’m actually headed to him now, so…” I take a step, and she stops me.

“Look, I don’t blame you for giving me the cold shoulder. When we slept together, we were both drunk and hurting, and it just happened.”

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