Page 14 of Breaking Hudson

“Uh… yeah. My ears are ringing,” I say. “The others?”

“Everyone good?” Hudson asks.

“Yeah,” Dallas says. “Now I’m really gonna kill these fuckers.”

“We need to get out of here before the cops show up,” Hudson says. “I’ll replace anything you need or want. Let’s go grab some food.”

Hudson doesn’t give me any room to argue. He simply picks me up from the ground and puts me back into the truck. My house is on fire now and the entire front wall of the house has been blown off. There is debris on the hood of the truck, but everything looks unscathed for the most part.

I don’t know where we are going, but anywhere is better than here. When we pull out of the driveway, we go no more than a half mile before the firetrucks come screaming past us. I should feel sad, or something, but I don’t. I have Hudson and that is sufficient enough. Anywhere is home as long as I am with him.

When we get to the restaurant they had chosen, I still have not spoken. Hudson doesn’t make me talk, instead he just comes around to help me out of the truck. We get in and take a large, round booth in the back. I’m in the corner with Hudson on one side of me and Dallas on the other. Within a few minutes, Makayla and Kaylee join us. I should introduce myself, but I am all out of sorts. Colton and Jaden explain to the girls what is going on and they both give me a sweet smile, but they don’t make me talk, either.

“What can I get for you, sweetheart?” The server asks me. I look at Hudson because I don’t want to talk. I don’t think I’m capable of talking. He knows what I eat.

“Half and half tea to drink and… a buffalo chicken wrap,” Hudson says. “I’ll do the same thing.”

“Thank you,” I whisper when the server walks away. Hudson gently grabs my chin and lifts my face to look at him.

“We should’ve been paying attention. If you hadn’t noticed that something was up, we all could have been killed,” Hudson says. “Thank you.”

“They tried to kill me,” I say quietly.

“Yes, but they didn’t. You are very much alive, Cole. I plan to keep it that way,” he says, kissing my forehead. I audibly sigh and melt into him. He keeps me pulled against his body and I start to relax more and more.

“I’m sorry I’m not talking,” I say to the others. “I’m not trying to be rude.”

“You’re not being rude,” Makayla says sweetly. “I’m sorry this is happening. If you ever want to get away from the dumb boys, we would love to have you hang out with us.”

“Oh,” Dallas says. “Can you help plan a wedding? Hudson and Colette are getting married on Saturday. It’s a long story, but it’s for the best.”

“Hell yeah!” Kaylee grins. “Casual?”

“Nothing elaborate,” I say.

“Oh, you’re wearing a dress,” Hudson says with a grin.

“I was going to anyway, but why?” I ask.

“Want me to answer that question out loud?” he laughs.

“You dirty boy,” I dramatically gasp, and the others laugh with me.

“I am definitely fucking you in your wedding dress, but I just love you in dresses,” he says before kissing me.

“Oh shit! I should talk to my parents,” I say.

“They’re with my parents right now. We are meeting them after this,” he says gently.

“I don’t know how to tell them,” I say. “How do I tell my parents I got raped?”

“You don’t have to,” he says.

“I want to. I just don’t want to melt down again,” I say. “Is everyone coming?”

“Mom wants to see everyone, but I can certainly tell them to fuck off,” he says.

“No, no. It’s okay,” I say. “Did they go to church or something?”

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