Page 112 of What About Us
He reluctantly nods and follows his brother up the short steps. Ginger watches them go with a sigh. “Sorry about Tate. He’s not really happy to be here. Ever since Peter started seriously dating, he’s been…different.”
I nod, watching them go.
Wren says, “He’s always been such a happy boy.” Then, she turns to Ginger, squeezing her arm. “He’ll be ok, babe.”
“Yeah,” she says, then smiles brightly. “Well, I already met this one’s baby daddy at the airport.” She hooks a thumb in Wren’s direction. “Where’s this best friend of yours?”
Wren chuckles and my body flushes with heat. I seriously hope my face and neck aren’t as hot as they feel.
Thankfully, Wren answers for me, and I am off the hook. For now. “Everyone is out at Hutch’s. We’ll get you settled, and then head over there.” Turning to me, she says, “Hank had a few things to take care of at the ranch, but he’ll meet us out there.”
Ginger and the boys will be staying at Timber Haven while they’re in town. I reserved two rooms for them the second I knew they’d be coming.
“I’ll grab your bags,” I say.
“I can help,” Wren says, but Ginger scoffs.
“Slow your roll, cupcake. You’ve got precious cargo on board in the form of my nieces, and I won’t have that man of yours pissed at me.”
Wren rolls her eyes and crosses her arms over her chest, hip popped. “I’m pregnant, not an invalid.”
“Just stand there and look pretty and hush your face,” Ginger says, following me to the bed of the truck.
Together, Ginger and I lug their suitcases inside and upstairs to the two rooms that share the Jack and Jill bath. They’ll be able to leave both bathroom doors open, and it will be like one big suite. The boys follow us up shortly after, and Ginger tells them to change into their swimsuits.
We’re spending the day out at Hutch’s, swimming and grilling, and we’ll camp out overnight. It’s something we try to do at least once every summer. It’s one of Paige’s favorite things to do during their summer visits, and now that they’re back here for good, the tradition will likely continue. Probablymore frequently, if I know Paige and her ability to get her dad to do just about anything.
Ginger and the boys will come back here to sleep though, since she’s not one for camping, and Wren and Hank will likely head home later, too.
“Whenever you guys are ready, we’ll head out,” I say. Wren and I leave Ginger to change and head downstairs.
As soon as Wren parks the truck among all the other vehicles out at Hutch’s place, she climbs out and makes a beeline for the workshop.
“Finn!“ she calls as she’s walking away. “Let Hank know I’m in the bathroom, so he doesn’t send out a search party, please.”
“Will do.”
Once we’re all out of the truck, Ginger hands me a life jacket, and while I help Jordan get into his, she helps Tate. It’s going to be a beautiful day, but it’s hot, even though we’re surrounded by pine trees.
From here, I can hear laughter and faint splashing. “It sounds like everyone’s already down at the lake. It’s just over this rise, past the firepit. Paige is really excited to meet you both,” I tell Ginger’s boys.
My stomach does a little flip-flop when the lake comes into view. Ginger stops to take it all in and my eyes land on Hudson, who’s standing at the edge of the lake next to Hutch. He’s wearing swimming trunks and an old T-shirt with the sleeves cut off. Something that would normally be douchey on anyone else looks downright panty-melting on Hudson.
His dark hair is wet from being in the water, and he’s got a couple days of stubble on his jaw, something he doesn’t have often. He looks fucking edible when he laughs at something Hutch says and tips back his bottle of beer.
“Goddamn, who’s the beefcake with all the tats and hair?” Ginger asks out of the side of her mouth, as the boys run off ahead of us.
I chuckle and nod in their direction. “That’s Hutch, and that’s Hudson next to him.” My eyes scan the water and find Hank in the water with Paige.
She glances at me, wide-eyed. “Holy shit. If all the men out here look like those three, I need to move to Montana.”
I smirk and lift an arm, pointing. “Norah and Hales are at the picnic table and Natalie is over there.” The leggy brunette is currently manhandling a giant flamingo floaty with a scowl on her pretty face. I can almost hear Nat cussing up a storm from here. The floppy plastic jostles around in the warm breeze as she tries to blow it up with a small handheld pump.
Hudson catches sight of the boys running toward the lake, and his eyes land on Ginger and me. He lifts his chin, sticking his tongue out at me, then a huge, goofy grin splits his face.
Hudson’s always been handsome in any capacity, but being back here—relaxed and hanging out with his siblings—is a good look on him. He looks sohappy. The last couple of weeks of mind-blowing sex between the two of us might have something to do with that, too. My best friend is hot as fuck. And he’s right; I am a slut for his cock, and that tongue, too.
He nudges Hutch, who turns to look in our direction, too. With his beer halfway to his mouth, he gives us that signature lazy smile, all dimples and straight white teeth. Ginger blows out a breath next to me, which makes me chuckle.
