“True.” Hudson squirmed. That had been weird and awkward and just uncomfortable. “I don’t see what you’re getting at.”
“That wasn’t the first time that someone acted in an inappropriate way toward you. I just don’t want you to be taken advantage of.”
His brother was really the best. Carter was smart about things like this. Hudson just wanted to be friends with everyone. “Should I not go?”
“If you want to go, you should,” Carter replied. “You said that you might make friends? That’s great. I just want you to be aware that this Bastian guy might want to be more than friends.”
“He said I was cute, and gorgeous, and kind, and full of sunshine!” Hudson still couldn’t believe that Bastian thought all those things about him.
Carter huffed. “Which makes this sound like a date.”
“I should have gotten his number. Then I could ask him.” It was much easier asking silly questions over text than in person. Sometimes Hudson got embarrassed when he was having trouble figuring out what people wanted from him.
His brother insisted that Hudson wasn’t dumb and there was nothing wrong with him, but sometimes Hudson wondered. It wasn’t always easy to know when someone was being nice and wanted to be his friend or when they were flirting with him.
“I think it’ll be fine.” Reaching over, Carter patted his hand. “Just know that Bastian night be interested in you. It is possible that he’s thinking tomorrow is a date.”
“Okay. I’ll keep that in mind,” Hudson promised.
“Now it’s my turn to clean up. Why don’t you relax?”
The back door was open, allowing the cool night breeze in. “I might sit out on the back porch.”
“Good idea,” Carter said. “I’ll join you when I’m done and bring out a couple of beers.”
“Cool.” Hudson didn’t drink often. It just wasn’t something that he needed to do, but having a beer while hanging out was often expected of him. He pushed back his chair and made his way out the back door.
They were slowly fixing up their new home. The inside of the house had been cleaned and painted, but it needed to be cheered up. Carter had helped Hudson repaint and allowed Hudson to decorate to his hearts content. Their shared home was much more in Hudson’s style than Carter’s, but Carter didn’t seem to mind.
Outback there was a large sturdy swing and two chairs under the tall tree. Hudson had purchased some books from the local bookstore on gardening, hoping to fix the yard up next. Carter kept the grass cut but Hudson would love to have pretty flowers around them.
It was a plan he hoped that would be easier than it seemed. Hudson didn’t understand the books’ long descriptions about fertilizer and how much sun certain types needed.
Hey! Maybe Logan could help him out. The park was amazing and the flowers there were still in bloom even though it was getting cooler as fall approached. Yes, he would try to talk to Logan and get some tips. That was a great idea. And maybe even Bastian would want to help.
He groaned as he settled on the swing.
Did they have a date or did Bastian just want to be friends? Maybe Bastian didn’t even want to be his friend and just wanted Hudson not to worry about Bas. It was all so confusing.
Thinking back on the entire interaction with Bastian made Hudson realize that it might be a good idea to clear things up right away. Before dinner. That way Hudson didn’t make a fool of himself. Even if Bastian thought he was good-looking, he might not even be gay!
Movement caught his eye and Hudson gasped. “Bas?”
Before Hudson could get up, Bas leaped from the branch above his head, landing in Hudson’s lap.
Hudson lifted Bas up, receiving a nuzzle.
“What are you doing here?” Hudson asked his little buddy. He was so happy to have the cat with him. “Does Bastian know where you are?”
Bas licked his chin as if he was reassuring Hudson.
It was like the feline understood him sometimes. Hudson needed to research more about margays. Or maybe it was because Bastian talked to the cat too? Not that it really mattered to Hudson. He just appreciated the company.
Placing Bas over his legs, Hudson began to stroke down his furry friend’s back.
“I wish you did understand me,” Hudson said. “Then maybe you could tell me if your owner was interested in me.”
Bas rolled over onto his back, wrapping both paws around the hand that Hudson had been petting him with.
