Page 45 of Here's to Tomorrow

I snort out a laugh. “What ifyousuck, Hudson?”

“I don’t think I do.”

“Well I don’t thinkIdo either.”

“Pick a movie and we’ll see.”

I think for a second. “Step Brothers.”

“Did we just become best friends?”

My chest swells.No! No way did he just quote my favorite movie to me!

“Yep!”

“Wanna go do karate in the garage?”

“Yep!”

Hudson shakes his head, a huge grin plastered on his face. “I think it’s my turn to propose to you. I can’t believe you just did that with me!”

“Right now, I’d probably say yes. I love that movie. I think I’ve watched it at least fifty times.”

The doorbell rings, interrupting us.

“Well tonight will make fifty-one then,” he replies, walking to answer it.

His face transforms when he looks into the peephole then he swings open the door with a vibrant smile. “Gaige! What up, man? I didn’t know you were working tonight.”

Standing in the doorway is one of the guys who was at Clyde’s the night I saw Hudson there. If it wasn’t obvious at the bar, it’s obvious now—Gaige is gorgeous. I know that’s an odd description to use on a guy, but it’s true. Lit up by the hazy yellow porch light, he’s still so good-looking with his smooth features and dark hair that’s impeccably styled. Even in his pizza delivery uniform, you can tell he has solid muscle on him. It’s not overwhelming, though, and it fits his tall frame perfectly. I can’t recall what color his eyes were from the bar, but from where I’m seated they seem dark under his bushy eyebrows.

His eyes find mine over Hudson’s shoulder and he nods my way before turning back to his friend. “Yeah, I wasn’t supposed to but picked up a shift at the last minute. You know how that is. I saw your name pop up on the deliveries and snagged it. I also threw in a little discount.”

“Thanks, man. You didn’t have to, but I appreciate it,” Hudson says, setting the pizzas down on the end of the entertainment center.

He digs his wallet from his back pocket and hands some money over to Gaige. His voice is low so I can’t make out what he’s saying, but I can hear Gaige mumble “fucker” to him as he shakes his head with a scowl.

“Night, Rae. You two kids have fun,” Gaige calls over Hudson’s shoulder before he walks away.

Hudson grabs the pizzas and places them on the coffee table. He heads into the kitchen, returning quickly with plates and napkins.

“So, how do you know Gaige?” I ask, being nosy as hell.

“Next to Tucker, he’s the best friend I have. I’ve known him since we were seventeen and he started working at Jacked Up. He still works there for me and delivers pizza part-time at Harold’s for extra money,” Hudson explains as he sets up our plates and opens the pizza boxes.

I can see the love in Hudson’s eyes when he talks about Gaige. It’s sweet to see that he cares about his friends like that, a refreshing change from the men I’ve previously dated.

My most recent ex, Jared, was not one to share his feelings—with anyone. We were together for almost a year before I called it quits. He wanted all the physical attachments without the actual feelings. It worked for a while because—let’s be honest—everyone has an itch they want scratched, so I can’t say it was a total wash. I did like him a lot—more than he liked me, obviously. After several months of it, though, I felt like he was never going to reciprocate my feelings, so I broke things off about six months ago. It was an easy decision to make, and the way he just simply walked away clued me in to how little we were both invested.

Hudson shows emotion, and it doesn’t seem like he’s afraid to do so. If he’s that open and honest about his relationships with his friends, I can only imagine how he is in an actual relationship. So far, he’s a catch—one I’m certain I want to hold on to.

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