Page 57 of When We Were Us
“I’m done talking about it.”
“Well, you better get your shit together, Hank.” He points at me. “Because this—whatever this is—is going to get you nowhere with her.”
I turn and cock my head at him. “Do me a favor, Hudson, and mind your damn business.”
I need to get the fuck out of here.
“Hank! Hudson!” The voice that has me groaning inwardly belongs to none other than our baby sister. Just what I need, another Hayes family member coming at me.
Hudson swivels at the sound of her voice and she comes to stand between us, wrapping an arm around both of our waists.
“Two of my three favorite brothers!” She squeezes and we smash together sideways. “Where’s Hutch? Don’t you guys roam in a pack?” she teases.
I can’t help but smile. If there is anyone who can lighten the mood, it's her. But I keep my eyes on Wren, still being led around the dance floor by Archie.
“Hey, Hales,” I say, giving her a side squeeze, which she returns.
“We were just leaving,” Hudson says with a glance at me.
“You guys should join us!” She tips her head in the direction of the girls, a bright smile on her face.
“Thanks, but I can’t,” I say, grabbing her hand and unwinding her arm from around my middle. “I’ve got an early day tomorrow.”
“On a Sunday? Don’t you have people for that?” she teases.
Yes, I do have people for that. But it’s my ranch, and what kind of example will I lead ifI don’t show up bright and early when I expect that from all of them?
“Come on, Hank. Stay a bit. You work too much. And the band is about to go on.” She presses her hands together under her chin like she's praying and turns her big blue eyes up at me. It's the same look she would use to get me to play Barbies with her when she was five.
Even at thirty, all she has to do is bat those eyes at me, and I am literally incapable of saying no to her. Plus, it’ll give me a reason to keep an eye on Wren, and make sure the dickhead over there keeps his hands where I can see them.
“All right.” I nod and she fist pumps the air.
“You guys want another round?” she asks as she leans into the bar.
Hudson and I share a look. It’s like he’s asking if I can behave.
“I think we’re good,” Hudson says.
She leans in and orders five shots of tequila and five beers, one for each of the girls. Then, she grabs both our hands and walks us over to their table just as Wren comes back from her dance with Archie. Finn slides further into the booth, and Wren follows in behind her.
“Look who I found, ladies!” she says and raises both her arms, taking our hands with them.
Wren turns her head in our direction when Hayley pushes Hudson toward the table.
My little sister then turns to me. “Ooooh, I love this song! Hank, dance with me?” she asks, brightly, holding my arm up and spinning herself underneath it.
I don’t relish the idea of sitting at the table while trying to keep my eyes off Wren. So, I tip my head in the direction of the dance floor and smile down at my baby sister. Hayley lets out a whoop before she picks up a shot glass, slams the liquid back, and grabs my hand again, pulling me out onto the dance floor.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
wrenley
Archie walksme back to the table just in time for me to catch sight of Hank. He looks ridiculously hot as he follows along behind Hayley, with Hudson in tow behind them. He’s wearing a heather-gray T-shirt and a black variation of the same light material cargo pants I’ve come to know is his standard uniform. The ones that hug his ass so well.
I scoot into the booth behind Finn and try not to stare. He’s without a hat tonight and his chocolate hair is pushed back in perfectly messy waves as if he’s been running his hands through it all night. He’s got that permanent scowl on his perfectly scruffy face, and lately, it seems to be turning me on more than pissing me off.
God, he’s hot.
