She scoffs. “Like I’d ever let a guy break up with me,” she replies, tossing her blonde hair over her shoulder. Hadley winks at Cull, then they both break out in laughter.
These two are going to make me go gray before I hit twenty-one if they keep going like this.
“Chad is short for Chadwick. He’s the guy I met at the lake over spring break. He’s roommates with Theo, Archer’s ex.”
Cullen snorts so hard he chokes. I pat him on the back to help him get his composure. “Chadwick is even worse! Hands is a much better name.”
“Hands?” Hadley and I ask together.
Cull frowns. “It’s creepy when you two do that.”
Hadley and I shrug at the exact same time, making us laugh.
“Twins are freaks. Anyway,” he continues. “I dubbed the asshole Hands because he couldn’t keep his off of you. You looked uncomfortable for most of the night.”
I glance at him.
There isn’t any judgment in his voice. If anything, he sounds uneasy.
Cullen obviously noticed things about that guy I was too drunk to pay attention to.
Hadley rolls her eyes. “I was just drunk, that’s all. He’s really nice, and he makes me feel… pretty.”
A crease forms between Cullen’s brows. “Pretty how? He asks carefully.
Hadley chews on her bottom lip. “I don’t know. Different, I guess. He has more experience, so when he compliments me, it feels bigger. Like he really sees me.”
Cull scoffs.
Hadley’s shoulders stiffen. “Do you have a problem with that?”
Cull puts a hand up and shrugs. “You’re free to do whatever you want, just—”
“Just be cautious,” I finish for him.
Cullen nods, not saying anything else.
For a second, Hadley looks ready to argue again, but some of the fight leaves her shoulders.
“I will. But he’s great, I promise!”
It sounds like she’s trying to convince herself more than us, but I decide to let it go.
“If you say so,” Cull mumbles just loud enough for me to hear. I gently rib him, and he rolls his lips inward.
She stands and leans down to kiss the top of my head before patting Cullen on his. He bats her hand away with a half-hearted growl.
“Alright, boys, I’m going to Katie’s to hang out for a while before I get ready for my date. I’ll see you lovebirds later.” She laughs as she tosses a wave over her shoulder, closing the door behind her as she leaves the room.
“Well, that was interesting,” I admit, curling into Cull.
“It was weird,” he says, “but I’m glad the air is cleared.”
I nod, something loosening in my chest with that.
Cullen
I’m warm, curled into Hud, my eyes heavy from the pain pill I took earlier. My phone rings on Hud’s nightstand, keeping me from falling into what I hoped would be a deep sleep.
