So maybe, justmaybe, I’m justified in my anger.
No amount of talking to a stranger will change that.
Besides. I’m fine.
Hud squeezes my hand. “Hey,” he says softly. “You’re miles away.”
I let out a breath and rub my eyes. “Yeah, sorry.”
But I’m not really thinking about the lecture anymore. I’m thinking about all the shit that continues to pile up—the car accident, Hud still healing, how uncertain the future is…
Hud flicks on his blinker and pulls into a drugstore parking lot without saying anything, idling the Bronco.
“Okay,” he says gently. “We’re not doing heavy conversations while I’m driving. What’s going on?”
My stomach tightens.
“I’ve been thinking a lot about this lately, and I think it’s best.”
“Think what’s best?” There is a sharp edge to Huds’ voice.
“That maybe…” I run a hand through my hair. “Maybe I should defer this semester. Possibly the year.”
Hud’s eyes search mine, his face passive.
“No.”
The word is strong and final.
“Baby, you’re highly mistaken if you think I’m going to go to college without you.”
Hud scoffs and stares out the windshield. “You are not going to further upend your life because of me.”
My heart thumps wildly in my chest. I tug his hand, a silent plea to look at me. His gaze meets mine, his face set in a scowl.
“Hud, do you think I could walk into that dorm room every day knowing you’re not there and be happy? Or possibly play soccer and not have you on the team?”
I scoff and shake my head. “You have no idea what it’s like to almost lose the person you love.” My voice breaks, tears blurring my vision. “So forgive me for not wanting to walk away from you and live a life we are supposed to share together.”
His hand comes up to my face, his thumb gently wiping the moisture away. His eyes have softened, and so has his voice. “Cull, I love you. Which is why I can’t let you throw this away. I’ll make it to Ashbridge, or I won’t, but we will still be together. Our future doesn’t hinge on us both being there.”
My chest feels like it’s caving in, and my voice is shredded when I finally speak. “I can’t do it without you.”
I’m terrified to do it without him.
Hud smiles softly, his eyes shining with unshed tears. “Yes, you can. We’ll figure it all out.”
My hands scrub down my face, embarrassed by how clingy I just sounded. I blow out a breath and calm myself.
“I think we are both a little exhausted today. Why don’t we go back to my house and take a nap? I’m sure that broken pinky of yours is giving you hell.” He gives me a shifty side-eye before he busts out in a booming laugh.
“You’re such a little shit.” I laugh along with him, the rest of the heaviness dissipating.
“You daren’t say such things!” Hudson gasps, mock horror on his face.
“Okay, Shakespeare, tone it down,” I tease, rolling my eyes.
Hud chuckles and maneuvers the Bronco back onto the highway.
