Page 64 of Hart Breaker

As soon as I send it, I scold myself.

Unknown: You mind if I take a raincheck on that?

Me: Why?

Unknown: Because, Riley Mae Brooks, my shit got rocked tonight. Besides, I haven’t even taken you on a date yet.

Me: I have no idea who this Riley person is.

I look up when the plane door opens and Hudson walks on. He doesn’t look at me; he heads to his mom.

“Tessa Links mentioned you may be worried about me.”

“Are you okay?”

“I’m good, Mom.” He hugs her, looks at me, and gives a quick wink before stepping away.

“Just in case you’re wondering, I’m good, too,” Boone says, walking on, holding an ice pack on his cheek. “Tessa told us to switch planes with them. Where do you all want me?”

“Your eye,” Syd gasps.

“Looks worse than it is. It’ll be all good by next Sunday.” He chuckles.

Jillian and Nour stand, leaving the two seats beside me empty.

“You two park it right here. We’ll head to the back.”

We’re in the air in less than ten minutes, and the lights start to dim.

Hudson turns his body to face me and whispers, “Hey Brooksie.”

I could continue pretending to be asleep, but when I wake up, I’ll still have to face the fact I sent him that stupid message.

I shift to face him, and he looks me over in a way that I swear I can physically feel. “Hey.”

“You off tomorrow?”

I shake my head.

“The next day?”

“We’re open every day through hunting season.”

“Sunday night, after the Cowboys crush Philly, I’m gonna need to celebrate all over you. So that means we’re gonna have to squeeze in a date tomorrow night or Saturday, and before you tell me no, I got permission to ask.”

“This is shit timing and a bad idea, Hart.”

He smiles as he closes his eyes. “We’ll make it work, you’ll see.”

There’s no way to argue this right now, so I close my eyes and try to get some sleep.

“Hey Brooksie.”

I open my eyes and see his are still closed.

“Fucking loved getting a text from you. Gonna need you to do that after every game.”

Again, I say nothing.

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