Page 132 of What About Us
Her eyes narrow, but she responds with an eye roll. “You’re the only one delusional enough to think he’s actually interested in anything other than sleeping with you.”
Her words punch me in the chest and my words fly out before I can stop them. “He told you about us?” No. Hudson wouldn’t do that. Would he? In the heat of the moment, maybe? No. I don’t want to believe that. Especially since we kept it from almost his entire family.
Her posture is stiff from her position on the couch. “Come on, Finnley. This is Hudson we’re talking about.”
“What the hell does that mean?” I bite out.
“Mutual friends talk, Finnley. Hudson has always been incapable of being alone. He’s undoubtedly been fucking his way through women since I left, trying to fill some void. What makes you think you’re anything special?”
My stomach lurches when I think back to our conversation about his other friends with benefits girls. He mentioned two. And then, there’s me. But those women are his past. I am his future. We’re married, for Christ’s sake. But Tristen doesn’t know that.
Anger burns in my stomach and tears prick my eyes, and I have to slide my gaze away as she goes on.
“Hudson’s always liked having a project. It makes him feel useful. That’s why he expanded the bar, and why he helped you with your littlebusiness.” She spits the word like it’s something dirty, something beneath her. “I think it comes from constantly disappointing those self-righteous parents of his. Boosts his ego to look out for people less fortunate than him. Just like when he paid for your mother’s cremation.”
My heart takes off at a gallop in my chest, and I suddenly feel like there isn’t enough oxygen in the room. When my mama died, I was so distraught, I couldn’t function. I couldn’t eat, didn’t want to shower, or brush my teeth. It was days before I could scrape up the desire to even get out of her bed, and even then, it was Hudson coming home that finally got me back up.
I couldn’t handle talking to the mortuary or the insurance company; it was all too much. I’d been running on fumes for months when she finally died, and I was buried under a pile of medical debt. There hadn’t been any money for a burial, but then, Hudson said he found a small life insurance policy I didn’t know existed. He’d handled everything, and it had been justenough to cremate her with something like $500 left over. I used the rest to pay the gas bill that was three months behind. Was that all a lie? Did Hudson really pay for it and keep it from me?
His words from that day come floating back to me. It’s been over a decade, and I remember them like it was yesterday.
I’ll always come. Whatever you need, I’ve got you.
No. This is Hudson. He wouldn’t lie about that. And I’m giving him the benefit of the doubt until I hear something different from him.
“He didn’t pay for my mama’s cremation. Her life insurance did,” I say, but I loathe that my voice sounds so uncertain.
She huffs out a humorless laugh. “You really are clueless, aren’t you?”
I mash my molars together, imagining bashing in her uppity fucking face. “Fuck you, Tristen.”
“Aw,” she says in mock sympathy. “That’s so cute. You actually thought he wanted you? In a way, I guess he does. You’ve always been his little charity case.”
Twisting Hudson’s hoodie in my hands, I clench the material in my fists and will myself not to blink, praying a tear doesn’t spill over my bottom lash line.
“You know, I almost felt sorry for you when she died. But now that I know you’re screwing my husband, I can admit, I actually had a good laugh when yours left you.” She tilts her head and narrows her eyes. “Tell me, Finnley, did Jeffery finally realize he’d never have a real life with you when he found out you’ve secretly been in love with Hudson for years? Is that why he fucked someone else?”
“That’s not—”
“Don’t bother denying it. Anyone with two eyes can see that you’ve always wanted him. And why not? He certainly seems to keep you comfortable.” She straightens her shoulders, eyes roaming over me. “For now.”
“You’re such a bitch,” I seethe.
"Poor,Jameson,” she mocks, using Hudson’s nickname for me with a sneer. “No parents and no husband. And now, I’m going to take your best friend, too. Family is important to my husband, and whether you like it or not, Hudson, Paige, and I were a family. We will be again.”
I stare at her. Heat rises up my chest and a lump forms in my throat. My pulse roars in my ears and a hysterical sound rips from my chest—half sob, half laugh. “That’s going to be pretty fucking hard to do, considering he’s alreadymyhusband.”
I relish the shocked expression on her face and bask in the horrible way her mouth gapes open like a sickly, skeletal fish. “Yourhusband?”
“Yes, Tristen. Hudson and I are married. While you were off doing fuck all to maintain a relationship with your kid, I’ve been here, taking care ofbothof them. Warming yourex-husband’s bed and loving and caring forhisdaughter.”
“Daddy?” Paige’s voice sounds from behind me and my stomach bottoms out.
Chapter 49
Finnley
The simmering rage I’vefelt since I first saw Tristen on my doorstep must have drowned out the sound of them coming in through the garage. I realize what I’ve said just a moment too late. I cast a look over my shoulder to see Hudson frozen, his gaze ping-ponging back and forth between me and Tristen.
