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Chapter Seventeen
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“So, I hear you hadquite the Demasi family experience,” Colton says, seeming to appear next to me out of nowhere.
“You could say that.” I shrug, turning my gaze back to Hudson as he and the guys do the sound check for tonight’s televised New Year’s Eve performance.
He hasn’t said so, but I get the feeling he’s a little nervous. I mean, who wouldn’t be? Not that he has any outward signs of nerves. He’s as cool and collected as ever, but the better I get to know Hudson the easier it is for me to pick up on his little tells.
“Hudson said they got Brittany into rehab.”
“Yep.” I nod. It’s not that I can help it, but I’m feeling a little awkward given the last time I saw Colton he was trying to get me out of the courthouse to hide the fact that Hudson was married.
“He told me how you stepped in. How you are the reason all this shit came to the surface. Pretty solid of you. Did he tell you Holly got twenty months for drug possession?”
“Yeah. I was there when Kelly called. I’m glad he’s in jail. He deserves a lot worse than that for putting his hands on Brittany the way he did.”
Colton nods and I catch it in my peripheral, but I keep my head facing forward.
“I owe you an apology, Lennon,” he says after a long beat of silence.
“What for?” I play stupid, glancing to meet his soft gaze.
“I did wrong by you with the whole Steph situation. I know that. But I was in an impossible place. I was just trying to see my way through it while drawing as little blood as possible. I’m really fucking sorry.”
“Don’t be. Hudson never should have asked you to lie for him. That’s on him. You were just trying to do right by your friend and your sister. I would have done the same for Emma.”
“That’s how I justified it to myself. But he should have told you in the beginning and he didn’t, so I should have.”
“Don’t do that. This isn’t on you. And it’s all behind us now. All has been forgiven. I’m happy.” I smile. “We’re happy.” I look back out at Hudson.
“I can see that.” Colton chuckles. “So we’re cool?” I look back to see his arms open.
“We’re cool.” I laugh, stepping into his embrace.
He gives me a tight squeeze, kissing the side of my head seconds before releasing me.
“Can’t hug you for too long. Hudson might pound in my face if he thinks I’m putting the moves on his girl.”
“Thinking you might be right on that one. He’s been on a bit of a punching spree recently.”
We’re both laughing when Hudson comes running off the stage seconds later.
“I see you two made up.” He nods at Colton as he drops an arm over my shoulder.
“Right as rain.” Colton smiles, his gaze dropping to mine for a brief moment before going back to Hudson’s. “Now, if you’re finished here, I have a couple things to run by you before tonight’s show. You got a few?”
“Yep.” He nods, kissing my temple before dropping his hold on me. “You okay for a few, babe?”
“I’m good.” I grin. “Go.” I shoo him away with my hands. “I’m gonna look around. Come find me when you’re done.”
“Love you,” he calls over his shoulder.
“Love you too.” I wave, watching him and Colton disappear backstage moments later.
—-
“Do you think it’s possiblethat someone can actually get everything they’ve ever wanted?” Hudson asks, running his hand through the ends of my hair as I lay tucked into his side in the bed of our hotel room.
