Page 92 of Georgia-Blue & Hudson

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Lying to my best friend about what really happened over the Florida weekend is also another thing on my conscience, and it’s going to eat me alive if I let it. Facing him is also just as hard as I thought it was going to be.

I’ve safely avoided the distillery for two days after getting back. Plunging myself into the harvest with my dad, not stopping for a second. I even serviced the tractor when we were finished for the day, because if I stop, I know my mind is going to drive me insane with what ifs.

It’s only when Gray texts me Friday that I know there’s no avoiding it; he wants to catch up with me and his brothers at his place while Hartley meets up with the girls over at Brook and Eden’s.

Apparently the vegetarian pizza over at their place is better than the pizza place in town. That simple thought alone takes me back to GB.

She’ll be over there for sure if all the Bassett women are going with the kids.

Fuck.Is there anywhere in Stoney Creek left where I’m not going to be thinking about myPrecious Princess? Those vivid blue eyes that I can’t get enough of? It’s torture.

It’s been nearly a week since Georgia and I got together, two nights since we got back and I’m skating on the border of insanity and frustration.

I’m not about to tell Gray anything that happened, but facing him is not something I’m looking forward to because I have to lie.

My pizza prayers are at least answered when Brook and I arrive at Gray's at the same time and he’s carrying two large trays of pizza covered in tin foil.

“Something smells good.” I wrap my knuckles on Gray’s front door and don’t wait for him to answer. I turn the knob and push the door open to let Brook inside first.

“You better believe it. I cooked these up before the girls took over the pizza oven and kicked me out.”

“They having a girls' night?” I ask as I follow in behind him.

“Yeah, I hear they’re talking baby names for Hart and Cece and shit like that,” he says as I close the door and Gray looks up from the kitchen counter. Beau and Gabe are both already sitting at the island bench. Awesome, all the fucking Bassett brothers are here at once.

Nothing like choking on my own lies in front of all of them.

“Man of the hour.” Beau smiles as Brook carefully places the trays down on the counter and I think he’s directing that to Brook until I look over at him and realize he’s talking to me.

I swallow and greet him and Gabe with a bro handshake while Gray grabs us a beer from the fridge. “What have I done that’s so special?” I quirk a brow.

“Putting up with Georgia-Blue for five days straight,” Beau continues. “I might be her twin brother and all, but I’m sure you had your work cut out for you.”

“He deserves a medal,” Gabe quips.

They both look at me when I don’t answer. Gray passes me a beer and I knock the top off appreciatively and take a very large pull, buying me precious seconds. “Ah, you guys know Georgia,” I say finally. “Nothin’ I can’t handle.”

Brook sputters a laugh and slaps me on the back. “He’s used to her by now.”

“Well, thank you,” Gray says. “Georgia’s always been impulsive, so her not getting into any trouble for once is a weight off our minds. I think I worry about her more than Mom and Dad.”

“You do know we’re turning twenty-six next month?” Beau offers. “Just sayin’, she’s kinda old enough to do what she wants.”

“You make a good point,” I say, for what reason, I don’t know.

“Even so, it’s normal to worry about her, she has a very naive way of looking at the world,” Gray goes on. “She’s never been anywhere.”

“She is a bit of a dreamer,” Gabe agrees. “Always has her head in the clouds.”

Why the fuck are we standing around suddenly talking about Georgia-Blue and all her charms? We’ve never done that before. It’s like the universe is just here to taunt me now.

I want to chime in and defend her, but guilt pushes all of that down.

I run a hand over the back of my head. What we need is a distraction. Bringing up the upcoming football season and the Titans usually does it. Then again, we’re not all Titan fans so the last thing I wanna do it is get into it over fucking pig skin.We wait for Callan to arrive before starting the poker game and sampling some of Brook’s Moonshine.

To say I feel awkward tonight is the biggest understatement of my life. My palms are sweaty like somehow the men in the room are gonna find out, and that just reminds me exactly how chicken shit I really am.

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