Page 14 of Fragile Heart

We slide into the back of Jake’s car, and he drives us the few minutes to the bar. The place is busy even for a Thursday.

Jake finds us a standing spot at the bar, and Holly orders us a round of shots and some local beers. After we sling back our shots, Holly surveys the bar for potential hook-ups while I awkwardly sip my beer.

Jake speaks up first. “Hey, isn’t that the actor guy?”

Holly and I both look in the direction Jake’s head is turned. He’s right. Hudson is sitting at the end of the bar. He has a beanie on as if that will disguise him. He takes a sip of his drink before putting his head in his hands, making me wonder if something is wrong.

“Oh my gosh. I wonder if his hot friend is here,” Holly says, looking around for Vaughn. I look with her, hoping that someone is with Hudson when he’s looking like that.

We both come up empty.

“Should I go say something to him?” I ask, not sure why I feel the need to say anything to Hudson. We aren’t friends. We aren’t even really friendly to each other. Well, I’m friendly, and he seems to tolerate me.

But the way his head is hanging and his shoulders are slumped, something must be wrong. I’ve been there before, and I want him to know someone is here if he needs anything, even if he doesn’t want it to be me.

“Yeah, and ask him if Vaughn is coming,” Holly encourages, practically pushing me toward the end of the bar.

I walk over to where Hudson is sitting, but he doesn’t look up from his hands. He’s always pretty good about tuning out his surroundings when he’s in the diner, so maybe that’s what he’s doing now.

“Hey,” I say as casually as possible, even though my palms are sweating. I wait for a second, but he doesn’t move or say anything so I poke his shoulder. “Hey.”

He slowly sits up and looks at me with glossy eyes. “You really are everywhere, aren’t you?” he slurs.

His eyes are bloodshot, and I’m pretty sure the drink he’s sipping right now is not his first of the night.

“I didn’t mean to bother you. I wanted to make sure you were ok.” I’m fairly certain after seeing his face that he’s not ok.

“I’m fine.” I stare at him for a minute, but he looks everywhere except my eyes.

“Are you here by yourself?” I ask partly because Holly wanted me to but partly because I’m concerned about him getting out of here in one piece.

“I don’t need a babysitter,” he snaps. My eyebrows rise in surprise at his tone.

“No, I know. I was just wondering how you planned on getting home.”

He takes another sip of his drink. It looks like he’s forgone any sort of mixer and is drinking straight liquor. “I’ll be fine.”

“You didn’t drive, did you?”

“I said I’ll be fine.” His voice is quieter and a little deeper than usual, almost threatening.

“Ok,” I say slowly. I don’t believe him one bit, but I’m not sure what else to say. I did what I could, and he’s an adult who can take care of himself. “Well, have a good night.” He doesn’t look at me, so I take that as my cue to leave. I walk back to my friends and stand next to Holly with a shrug.

“What did he say?” Holly asks.

I take a sip of my beer. “Just that he’s fine. I think he’s by himself.”

“He doesn’t look very good,” Jake adds.

“I know. But he very clearly said he’s fine.”

“Oh, well. Let’s find some other cute guys then,” Holly says, standing up on tiptoes to scan the crowd again.

“I’m literally right here,” Jake says. “I feel like I should be offended.”

Holly laughs, and I sip my drink and look around. “Oh, Jake. We can’t hook up with you.”

“And why not?”

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