Page 114 of Georgia-Blue & Hudson

Bob grunts a laugh. “Gayle will be happy, she’s always had a soft spot for you.”

I can see Gabe’s shoulders relax, and Beau gives me a punch on the arm. “That’s for not fessing up sooner.”

“Sorry, bud.” I’m still worried about Gray’s reaction. I know he needs time and loyalty is a big thing with him. I can’t honestly say I’m stunned by it, but he’s not calming down.

Our eyes meet. “I think you need to leave.”

“That’s enough, Gray,” Bob says.

“He’s allowed to feel how he feels,” Gabe puts in. “I understand where he’s coming from, but it’s Georgia’s life, too. I’m sure they’ve both thought it through, right, Hudson?”

I nod. “Absolutely. I also value our friendship, Gray. You know that and it was one of the reasons I was hesitant?—”

“Just not hesitant enough to stop.”

“Is this really about me and Georgia, or about you not being in control?”

“You wanna say that again?”

“That’s enough!” Bob barks. “The both of you. Grayson, Georgia is a grown woman and the last time I checked, I’m her father.”

Of course, Gray won’t want to hear that.

The tension in the air is tight. “It’s okay, I really think I should leave and let the dust settle.”

I give the other Bassett men a chin lift as I turn to Bob. “Thank you for not punching me, Bob.”

He wags a finger in my face. “Doesn’t mean I’m a hundred percent on board with this. I need to talk to my daughter. All I’ve ever wanted since the day she was born was for her to be happy.”

“Of course. I respect that.”

Gray snorts and I choose to ignore him. If he wants to act like a damn asshat, then he can go right ahead.

I tip my head and head for the door.

Okay, so I wasn’t expecting that from Bob, but Gray is taking this way too far. Georgia isn’t a possession, she’s also not a woman to be controlled, especially not by her overbearing, overprotective brother.

“Hold up.” Brook jogs up to me. “You okay?”

I nod, feeling anything but. “I’ll live.”

“He’ll come around, when he sees how happy you both are.”

“I guess we can always wait until Hell freezes over?”

Brook gives me a sympathetic smile. “Don’t discount that, we all know Gray thinks he can make water into wine.”

I blow out a breath. “Got that right. I’ll see you later.”

He pats me on the back and I head over to my dirt bike. There’s nothing like taking your frustration out on speed and adrenaline. I never honestly thought Gray would be okay with it, but if he wants to keep coming at me, then so be it. I won’t back down, because no matter when he thinks, I’m in love with her.

I jump on the bike, my anger boiling as I start up the engine and take off with a loud screech.

I rev the engine, the wind on my face feels cool against my hot skin. I don’t know why Gray has to make me feel like a motherfucker. I already struggled with the dynamics for so long, and now Georgia feels the same way I do, we won’t be kept apart because Grayson doesn’t like the idea.

I tear past trees, the leaves blowing up at me as I reach a ridiculous speed. I’ve been riding bikes all my life, and sometimes you just gotta ride it out. I imagine Georgia’s facedropping when I tell her about Gray not being happy, and that makes me even angrier. I never want to make her sad, and now that I’m about to, I wonder whether or not I truly am the kind of man that deserves her. Should I have just let her down that night in Florida? Even though we were both too far gone and too into each other, we could’ve ended it. I wince at the idea of not having Georgia-Blue in my life. After loving her, I know that there is no other woman that can capture my heart like she does. The angel and devil on my shoulders are at war with one another, and the feeling of not being good enough weighs heavily on my mind.

I want Georgia to be happy too, of course I want that. And I know I can make her happy. Relationships take work, but I’m willing to put in the effort. I’m willing to show her, and her family, that I will always love and protect her, just like she deserves…

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