Page 70 of Holding You
Convenience. Maybe that’s all I was to her.
That’s not what she was to me.
But, what is she to me?
“Let’s just play, huh?” I suggest, moving along toward the court and letting out a breath when they all follow.
Linc jogs up to me and leans in.
“I thought Hudson had it bad with Sadie. You have three brothers to deal with.”
“I’m not … there isn’t anything happening.”
But shit, he’s right.
Dutton is already waiting for us when we get there.
“Took you guys long enough.”
“Sorry,” Luca speaks up first. “We were just discussing how?—”
“Vegas,” Hudson cuts him off. “We were talking about Vegas and how I hope you are all ready to go in two days.”
Everyone seems to be fine with that answer, so we sit to change our shoes and stretch.
But of course, Luca still has more to say.
He comes up to me and speaks low enough that no one else can hear him.
“Look, I know I’m being a little extra, but I need you to know that I'd be cool with it.”
“With what?”
He gives me a look that says I'm an idiot if I’m seriously asking that.
Which is fair.
“Nothing is happening,” I repeat.
“Alright, but if that changes, just know you can tell me or talk to me or whatever.”
I nod. “Got it.”
If I talk to anyone about it, it’s going to be Ruby.
“Tell me before Miles, though. He’s a little more sensitive about Ruby, as you’re aware. He’d never admit it, but I think it hit him the hardest when she left. They had a different connection than the rest of us growing up. He’s going to be picky on the next guy she dates. It can't be anyone who could steal her from our family again.”
I know some things about Ruby’s background, but not all the details, so his comment stuns me more than I expect.
“And Hudson,” he adds, and I find myself leaning in to hear what he’s going to say. “Well, everything is different when it comes to him. He knows what it’s like to lose a part of yourself and then to meet the right person who can bring you back to life.”
Shit. That’s deep.
“What I mean is, I think that if you can show him that you and Ruby bring out the best in each other, he’d be cool about it like me.”
I chuckle.
I like knowing Ruby has her brothers looking out for her, but Luca is forgetting one big detail.
