Page 49 of Beautiful Collide

“Coach, I didn’t—” Hudson starts, but Coach cuts him off.

“I don’t want to hear it! Get inside, now!”

That isn’t at all what I wanted to happen. I just wanted to be left alone.

Hudson glares at the crowd of girls, his gaze darting around like he’s searching for the person who caused this chaos.

I duck further into the shadows, holding my breath.

As the doors close behind Hudson and the security team, I finally exhale, my pulse still racing. He’s gone, and for the first time since I spotted him, I feel like I can breathe again.

I glance toward the entrance one last time before slipping away, my heart heavy with guilt. I owe Hudson for this. Big time.

But for now, I’m just grateful to be safe.

13

Hudson

Mason:?????? “HUUUUDSONNNNN WIIIIILDEEEE!!!”

Hudson:Shut up.

Aiden:Did you survive? Should we send a search party or just put you on a milk carton?

Dane:Rookie move, Wilde. Getting stampeded by a bunch of teenagers? Come on.

Hudson:I don’t want to talk about it.

Mason:Nah, we’re absolutely talking about it.

Dane:You’re lucky I didn’t see it in real time. I’d still be laughing.

Hudson:You guys are theworst.

Mason:What did you expect, man? You werelate.AGAIN. You basicallyaskedfor it.

Hudson:I WASN’T LATE.

Dane:My guy, you missed warm-ups. You’re always late. It’s basically your only personality trait at this point.

Mason:Wilde Time™. It’s a thing.

Hudson:IT WASN’T MY FAULT.

Mason:It never is. ??

Aiden:Yet it alwayshappens.

Mason:He got tackled by teenagers. Literalchildren. That’s what he gets.

Aiden:He’s a public safety hazard.

Hudson:I hate all of you.

Mason:Did they at least chant your name?

Dane:Doubt it.

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