“I promise, baby.”
The lie tastes sour, but that’s an issue I’ll deal with another day.
My phone rings, startling us both.
“It’s Archer, I’ll call him back later,” I say, moving to decline the call.
Hud stops me. “Answer it. Maybe he wants to hang out. I could use the distraction.”
Nodding, I answer. “Hey, man. What’s up?”
“Yo, Cull. Do you and Hudson want to meet up with Matt and me at Melvin's?”
“I’m with him now, let me ask.”
Hudson doesn’t even give me a chance to get the words out.
“I overheard him, and yeah, let’s go. I’m starving.”
For the first time all day, the knot in my chest eases.
He sounds like himself.
Not like the guy who spent months struggling.
He looks… so fucking good.
“Answer Archer before you drool a puddle on my bed,” Hud teases, his smile making my stomach do flips.
Rolling my eyes, I bring my phone back to my ear. “Give us half an hour and we’ll be there.”
“Cool, see you in a bit,” he says and disconnects the call.
Hud is already digging through his dresser, muttering to himself as he searches for something to wear.
A laugh escapes me.
“What?” He asks, his back turned to me.
“You’ve been standing there for five minutes and have rejected every T-shirt you own.”
“I have standards,” he quips back.
“We’re going to Melvin's to see the guys, not to a fashion show.”
“True, but after months of not really giving a shit, it feels good to try.”
For a second, I just stare at him.
Part of me can’t help but wonder if he’s forcing being playful and happy.
But another part of me is just happy to see him standing there arguing with his dresser.
Fuck, I love him.
Hud finally settles on a shirt and pulls it over his head. “What?” he asks when he catches me staring.
A grin spreads across my face. “You know, if I saw us walking down the street together, I’d be jealous of me.”
