They ordered burgers somewhere around the second round. The conversation moved—Afghanistan, Reed’s new posting, the Rangers’ season, Mae’s sleep schedule, whether Reed had cried in the delivery room.
Another round later Taylor spotted someone at the pool table who was apparently more interesting than Hudson and Reed.
“I’m going to say hi,” she announced, already sliding out of the booth.
“Sure you are,” Hudson said.
She turned to Reed. “Lovely to meet you, Matt.”
“You too.” Reed watched her cross the room. “She’s great.”
“She’s a menace.” Hudson stood to fetch another round. “I’ll be right back.”
He found a gap in the crowd by the bar and waited. The bartender appeared in front of him—beautiful, long wavy hair, bright red lipstick. “What can I get you?”
“Two IPAs.”
She grabbed the glasses. “Catching up with friends?”
“Something like that.” Hudson leaned against the bar.
Setting the first glass down, she eyed him. “You from around here?”
“Brooklyn. You?”
“Jersey.” She filled the second glass. “Are you in town for long?”
“Couple of weeks.”
She slid the glass across the bar and held his gaze. “Well. You know where to find me if you get lonely.”
Hudson smiled, took the drinks and headed back to the booth.
When he sat down Reed was on his phone, typing with his brows pulled together.
“Everything okay?” Hudson asked.
“Yeah. Fine.”
Two minutes later he checked his phone again.
Hudson watched him do it one more time before reaching across the table and taking the phone out of his hand.
“Hey—”
“Just gonna let Sarah know she doesn't need to worry. I’m watching your six…” The screen was open. Hudson read the text on the screen before he registered whose name was at the top.
Shaw:Hale can do whatever he wants. We’re not a couple. We never were.
He stared at it.
Right. Of course. Five years of reading too much into nothing.Good job, Hudson.
He put the phone down on the table. “What are you doing?”
Reed held up his hands. “It’s not like that. I saw her flirting with you, so I—I told him we were out, and to pull his head out of his ass before someone else got to you first.”
Hudson said nothing.
