Page 27 of Beautiful Collide

Of course, I know I was in the wrong for the way we started off. So, no, I don’t hate Hudson for being mad at me for last year. It’s everything that’s comeafterthat I have no tolerance for.

He doesn’t need to argue with me every chance he gets. We could make peace. Have a truce. Agree to ignore each other whenever possible.

But I suppose neither of us can help ourselves.

At least, that’s what it seems like.

This time, it’s Hudson who lifts his brow. The closet. It always circles back to the damn closet.

“This again.” I hop into the driver’s seat, sparing him a glance as he dumps his bag in the back seat and slams the door shut. “I told you I’m sorry. You don’t need to keep—”

“I didn’t say anything. It’s your guilt that did.”

I roll my eyes. “Just get in the car.”

He hops into the passenger seat beside me.

My lungs puff out, and then I exhale. This is going to be a long five hours.

We aren’t even out of the parking lot before my hand collides with his while reaching for the radio.

His fingers beat me to it, and he changes the station.

“What do you think you’re doing?” I snap, glancing at him.

He settles in his seat. “Everyone knows the passenger works the radio.”

“Really? Everyone?”

“It’s like Road Trip 101.”

“This isn’t a road trip. We aren’t friends, and you don’t get to pick the music.”

“Real question. Is it just me, or are you always this crabby?” he teases in a light tone.

I continue to look forward, not giving him the satisfaction of a glance in his direction. “It’s just you.”

From the corner of my eye, I see his hand playfully clutch his chest. “Ouch, I’m wounded.”

“You’ll live.”

My mouth opens, and I’m about to say more, but I stop myself. Five hours is a long time to be stuck in the car with this man.

“Go on, say it,” Hudson urges, his voice low.

“Say what?”

Now, Idoglance in his direction as I slow the car down to a stop at the edge of the parking lot.

Damn, he’s got a smug grin on his face. Too bad he’s so hot. It would be much easier if he weren’t.

“Unfortunately.”

“I never said that.”

“You wanted to.”

I did.

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