Page 111 of Beautiful Collide

“You act like this—us—is a bad thing.”

“Maybe it is,” I whisper, biting my lip hard enough to hurt.

My fists curl at my sides.

Hudson’s jaw tightens, his expression hardening just slightly.

“Do you actually believe that?” His voice lowers, steady but sharp. “Or is this about your brother?”

The mention of Dane punches through my armor like a wrecking ball. My stomach twists painfully.

I could say yes.

I could tell Hudson that Dane would never trust him, that he’s too protective, too stubborn. And while that’s true, it’s not all of it.

The bigger part?

That’s on me.

It’s about the fear gripping me, the fear of what could happen if I let someone in.

“You wouldn’t understand,” I murmur, my voice barely audible.

“Try me.” He steps closer, the teasing gone from his tone. Now, it’s gentle but unrelenting.

“It’s not that simple.” I shake my head, wishing I could shake away the truth.

“It can be.”

“I’m not sure I can,” I choke out, my voice cracking under the weight of it all.

“Hex.” The way he says my name—steady, unflinching—hits me straight in the chest.

Like a quiet challenge.

Like he’s daring me to keep lying to him.

I look up, and for one stupid moment, I let myself feel it. The pull between us. The way the air thickens when we’re too close. The way his eyes—blue and unwavering—make me feel seen and exposed all at once.

But then reality slams into me like a tidal wave.

Dane would never understand.

And Hudson? I don’t trust myself to let him in.

Not when the stakes feel this high.

“I can’t,” I whisper, stepping back. The space between us grows, but it doesn’t feel like enough. “I can’t do this.”

Hudson doesn’t move for a long second. He just watches me, his expression unreadable, and then he nods once.

“For now,” he says quietly, his voice carrying a weight I don’t want to unpack.

Then he turns and walks away, leaving me there.

Leaving me with the unshakable feeling that this isn’t over.

Because it isn’t.

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