Page 62 of Roughing It

Within the first hour, Hudson catches four fish, and I catch zero. To say I’m thoroughly unimpressed by fishing is an understatement. I shoot him a dirty look whenever he reels one in. After the fourth unanswered catch, it’s time for a distraction.

“This is boring.”

“Spoken like someone who hasn’t caught a fish.”

I level him with a glare and toss my hair. “No, spoken like someone bored out of her mind. We’re sitting here with a stick and string.” I tilt my face back, hoping for even a flicker of sunshine to warm me. “In summer, with the heat of the sun and a bikini, I could enjoy fishing, but right now?Blech.”

Hudson doesn’t answer, but I’m used to it at this point.

“Oh!” I perk up. “How about we continue our twenty questions game? We didn’t finish last night.”

He grunts. “Fine. It’s my turn.”

“Fire away, Bear.”

“Do you have any siblings?”

My voice is tight when I answer. “I have a half-sister.”

Hudson wrinkles his brow. “Care to elaborate?”

Nibbling my bottom lip, I shift in my seat. “She was a couple of grades ahead of me in school, but we had very different childhood experiences.”

He sets his rod in the holder and turns. “How so?”

I fiddle with my pole, willing a fish to bite. “We have the same dad. It’s one of those small-town secrets that everyoneknows. Her life was night and day from mine. She grew up in a big house with her mom, her grandparents, and eventually a nice stepdad. She was popular and well-liked. Meanwhile, I was living on the outskirts of town, hoping the water wouldn’t get turned off and trying my best to be invisible at school. It’s not her fault, but it made it hard to be around her, wondering if, with a small ripple in fate, that could have been me.”

Hudson secures my reel and wraps me in a warm hug. “For what it’s worth, I’m glad you’re you.” He pulls back, a smirk on his full lips. “Even if you’re a brat.”

With a laugh, I say, “Okay, enough emotions. Let’s get to the good stuff. Plus, you asked two in a row, so I’m cashing in a big one. Do you use condoms and get tested regularly?”

“Shit.” He gapes at me, his mouth open. “That’s a personal question.”

“Yeah, but if we’re going to progress in our… relationship, we need to talk about it, right? So why not tie it to a game.” I wink at him.

Hudson’s back is ramrod straight, and his ears are pink. “I last tested two months ago and haven’t been with anyone since. My bloodwork was negative for anything. I always use condoms with casual partners. What about you?”

“I have a birth control implant but have only gone without a condom with one prior partner.” I pause, thinking of my last relationship. “Ryan and I always used condoms. I never felt right going without one with him, which given how much he was sleeping around, turned out to be a good thing. I got tested when we broke up. It came back negative, and I haven’t hooked up with anyone since.”

I watch Hudson’s face. He’s taking in everything I shared. It’s a blunt way to find these things out, but it’s a conversation that has to happen.

His Adam’s apple bobs, and a mixture of emotions flickeracross his freckled face. Anger, heat, hunger. “You deserve someone who thinks enough of you not to cheat.”

Smiling at him, I say, “I agree. Know anyone up for the job?”

He doesn’t answer, opting instead to thread his fingers into my hair and pull my face to his. “What would your preference be with me?”

“With you?”

His nose brushes mine before his lips graze against my mouth. “Uh-huh.”

“I would want to feel all of you.Nothingin between us.” I lean in, ready to claim him, when his line jerks, snapping us out of the moment.

Hudson: five. Blakely: zero.

Another eternity passes, and I still haven’t caught a single stupid fish. However, I do manage to snag some candids and even convince Hudson to pose for a selfie with me after swearing I won’t post it anywhere.

Balancing my phone in one hand, fishing pole in the other, I lean against the railing, mindlessly scrolling and hearting comments.

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