Page 9 of All Along

“I followed you.” Yep. It’s definitely Nova. Shit. I don’t want Maya’s friend here. I don’t want her seeing me this way and reporting back to Maya.

I growl before pushing to my feet. My leg gives out on me and I crumble to the floor. The door flies open and Hudson rushes in. He reaches for me but I hold up a hand.

“I’m fine.”

“Don’t look fine to me,” Nova quips.

“Nova,” Hudson growls. “Now is not the time to be cute.”

“Sorry.” She sobers. “How can I help?”

“Leave,” I grit out.

“I’m not going anywhere when you’re laying on the floor.”

Hudson grasps her hand. “Sunshine, I’ll handle this.”

She nibbles on her lip. “But—”

“Promise, Sunshine. I’ve got this.”

“Okay.” He kisses her forehead and she walks toward the door.

“Nova,” I call and she stops. “Please don’t tell Maya about this.”

Her brow wrinkles. “Tell Maya about what?”

“About…” I wave my hand toward my leg. My muscles are now shaking from pushing them too far.

“I didn’t notice a thing.” She winks before shutting the door behind her.

“Can I help you up now?” Hudson asks but doesn’t wait for an answer before wrapping his arms around my waist and lifting me into a chair. “Are you sure being out here all alone is a good idea?”

I glare at him. “Don’t you start.”

He sighs. “I know. I’m a hypocrite. I hid when I returned to the island, too.”

“I’m not hiding.”

He raises an eyebrow. “And you didn’t run like your ass was on fire when Maya approached you either.”

“Fuck,” I mutter and run a hand through my hair.

He sits on the sofa across from me. “I know we don’t know each other well.”

Nothing good can follow those words. “No.”

“Come on, Caleb. I’ve been where you are.”

“You have?” My nostrils flare as my anger bursts to life. “You know how it feels to nearly be killed loving what you do. To have to drag yourself back home with your tail tucked between your legs. To set eyes on the woman you want but can’t have because you’re not good enough for her. You know all of it, do you?”

“Yeah, Caleb, I do.”

“You know nothing,” I snarl.

He holds up his hands. “I get it. I refused to listen to anyone when I returned to Smuggler’s Hideaway, too.”

“I haven’t returned to Smuggler’s Hideaway.”

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