Page 53 of Tough Love

She sits by Mack and peppers him with a bunch of questions. He answers, handing her a beer. She takes a sip, and her focus is on Mack. She is fascinated. Who could blame her? Mack is one of the bravest, kindest men I have ever known.

I grind my teeth, wanting nothing more than to pummel both of my little brothers into the ground. I love them to pieces, but they will take something and run with it, no matter how much it isn’t true. Especially when it comes to my love life.

Reed looks at me and nods to Addy before saluting her with two fingers.Captain.That’s what they think she is.

Luckily, Addy doesn’t notice. I won’t have to try to explain that one. And despite what Reed thinks, it isn’t that simple. Not everyone gets a happy ending.

Charlie appears and jumps into Addy’s lap. He growls at Mack before curling up on her lap.

“Jesus, Huddo. This one’s a keeper. Even devil-dog is in love.”

And with that, I excuse myself and find my way to the shower. Reed and Mack will have everyone entertained for the next couple of hours, so I take my time in the shower. Sawdust and dirt swirl around the shower floor and down the drain. Addywould be wanting a shower, too. The feel of sawdust and dirt stuck to sweat only gets worse as you cool off. I towel dry and wrap it around my waist, heading for my room.

“Hudson?”

I pause before turning to face her. Her bottom lip is between her teeth. Her sweater is in her hands. “I might go. I have to be at the clinic in the morning at seven.”

“Shit, of course. Hold on, I’ll walk you out.”

“It’s fine. Not like it’s the middle of New York or something. I’ll see you Tuesday.”

She doesn’t want my attention. She doesn’t want me to walk her to her car. Doesn’t want to talk about last night. My gut sinks.

“Sure, Howard. Tuesday.”

She forces a smile and walks out of the house, leaving me staring at the spot she stood in. Watching her walk away has me rattled. Well and truly.

I walk into my room and pull on a polo and some fresh jeans before making my way back to the table. Reed hands me a beer, and Ma gives me a small smile, as if she can sense something has shifted between Addy and me, and not for the better.

“Tell me about this last tour, Mack,” I ask.

Reed leans back in his chair, and Pa cracks another beer. Ma, who never wants to know, like if she knew what went on over there she could never cope, pushes from her chair and kisses her boys on the head before saying her goodnights.

When she reaches me, she bends down and cups my jaw. “Oh, Huddy, things will work themselves out. I know they will.”

Maybe she could sense the tension between Addy and me. Or she expected something to happen on that camping trip. Whatever it is, she looks as disappointed as I feel. Addy isn’t just any girl to me, she’sthegirl. And I have no fucking clue how to make this work.

Not one.

Chapter Sixteen

ADDY

No means no. Like, it literally should. And to every single other person on this planet, it most likely does. Only not to Adam Hervey. Respect has never been something he is big on with women. I should know, after three years of whatever it was I had with him. It definitely wasn’t as a girlfriend or partner.

I have had more respect and felt more wanted in the few weeks I have spent with Hudson than the entire three years I spent with Adam. And it crushes me to think I wasted three good years on that asshole. And yet here I am, telling him for the umpteenth time that under no circumstances is he to come visit. Ugh, like we are friends or whatever. I stare at yet another text. Different words, same questions. All crafted by the manipulator extraordinaire.

I tap his name and scroll down, hitting the block button before tossing the phone back into my bag under my desk. There once was a time that I would feel bad for doing that to Adam. I’d tell myself he needed me or some other bullshit that I used to justify not seeing him for what he really was. A womanizing, cheating prick.

Now, I no longer suffer from such compunctions. I’m sure Hudson has had some sway with that. Not because he’s a fine-ass cowboy who gets my panties wet in a heartbeat, but because his grounded and quiet ways let me know where I stand and how much he cares. The epitome of a gentleman. Albeit a grumpy one...

I flip the chart in front of me over and glance up at the tabby who is currently hissing at me. Horses and dogs, I have a kindred spirit with. Cats, not so much...

“So, how many Rawlins boys did you have to sleep with to weasel your way back onto the equine roster, Howard?”

Turning back, pulled between shock and disgust, I find Justin’s scowl-lined face.What the hell?“I beg your pardon?”

I drop the clipboard to my side and tilt my head as my anger flares, sending fire through my veins.

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