“Nothing about our lives is normal, Hale.”
“Yeah, I know.” Hudson shot him a look. “Doesn’t mean I don’t want it.”
Shaw said nothing. Hudson watched him turn the shell over in his hands one more time and then drop it.
“House, dog, kids… You can’t even keep a plant alive.”
“I’ve never tried to keep a plant alive,” Hudson countered.
“That explains the dead cactus on your windowsill.”
“That’s—” He sighed. “Cacti are harder than people think.”
“Right.”
“Shut up.” Hudson kicked water at him.
Shaw’s gaze dropped to his jeans. “Oh— You didn’t.”
Hudson kicked water at him again, then shoved him sideways and ran.
Shaw caught up in about four strides. They sprinted down the waterline like absolute idiots, kicking up spray,Shaw pulling ahead and Hudson cutting into the shallows to slow him down.
“That’s cheating—” Shaw got hit by a wave for his trouble.
“Tactical maneuvering,” Hudson called back.
Shaw’s expression turned determined and Hudson knew he’d approximately two seconds before things escalated. He increased his pace.
Shaw tackled him into the shallows.
They went down in a tangle, cold water everywhere, Hudson laughing too hard to fight back properly. Shaw had him pinned for about three seconds before Hudson reversed it, and then they were rolling around in the surf.
Shaw came up on top, sputtering, soaking wet, hair plastered to his forehead.
Their eyes met.
“You’re an idiot,” Shaw said.
“You tackled me.”
“You shoved me first.”
“You asked for it,” Hudson laughed.
Shaw shoved a wave at him and Hudson got a mouthful of saltwater.
They dragged themselves back up the beach and collapsed onto dry sand, both breathing hard, clothes soaking wet. The sun was already starting to dry the salt on Hudson’s arms.
Shaw was on his back with one forearm over his eyes, chest rising and falling.
Moving over, Hudson settled against his side. Shaw’s arm curved around him, fingers combing through his damp hair absentmindedly.
Hudson wanted this. His throat tightened at the thought of just how much.
“Worth it,” Hudson said.
Shaw didn’t answer, but he felt the corner of his mouth curve against his temple.
