“Call me tomorrow. We can go visit Lilah together.” Cara hugged me before heading over to Trace.
I nodded. Destiny, JJ, and the baby had stayed home tonight because JJ didn’t want to expose Lilah to this many people or germs. He also thought it was too much, too soon for Destiny. He’d threatened to sit on her if she didn’t rest more.
It was sweet to see my brother step up and take care of his family. I’d been proud of him when he’d gotten drafted by the Waves. I’d been proud of him when he’d become the starting pitcher. I’d been proud of him when he’d won the World Championship and been named MVP, but none of those combined came close to the amount of pride I had for him as a dad and husband.
Now, as I watched Trace pull Cara into his arms the second she stepped next to him, that same pride washed over me. I couldn’t hear what she said to him, but he kissed her on the forehead and quickly ushered her out through the crowd, ignoring everyone who tried to slow them down with goodbyes. He was following in JJ’s footsteps and I couldn’t be happier for my brothers and for my friends.
That’s what I wanted. Someone who insisted that I stay home and rest and who was overprotective of our baby. Someone who kissed my forehead and took me home when I was tired. Who cared more about my wellbeing than a room full of friends and family.
“That’s the look.” Hud’s deep voice sounded beside me and I jumped in my chair.
I spun around and saw him casually standing next to Romeo. “What?”
“The look that proves you’re a romantic,” he said, just as casually as if we were nothing more than old friends shooting the shit.
“Are you serious right now?” I stood, suddenly wishing I’d worn my heels. If I had, I would’ve at least come to his shoulder. As it was, in my boots, the top of my head barely reached his chest. Not to mention, these boots had memories attached to them thanks to a certain roll in the hay…or, I guess, lay on the hay.
“Yep, that’s the look.”
“I don’t mean about the look!” I hadn’t meant to yell, but he was just so damn frustrating.
Hud’s eyes closed and he rubbed the bridge of his nose. I looked around and saw that my outburst had garnered the attention of the entire room.
I smiled and waved at our audience as I spoke through my teeth, not moving my lips, “We need to talk.”
“Follow me,” he snapped before turning and heading out the back door.
Romeo got up and started trailing behind his alpha leader.
Traitor.
Hud was holding the door for me, and as I stepped through it, my bare shoulder brushed against his chest. A shiver danced down my spine and I cursed under my breath. How could I expect loyalty from my dog when my own body turned on me with just a single touch?
I made it two steps into the back parking lot before spinning around, ready to give Hud a piece of my mind. My mind, however, short-circuited when I found myself face-to-face with his broad chest. On instinct, I lifted my hands and they landed on the muscled planes of his pecs as his arm wrapped around me.
We both stilled. Not moving. I didn’t know the reason for his mannequin impersonation, but mine was born out of the overwhelming need to be close to him. No matter how big of a game I talked, how many times I told myself I was done, how many times I determined not to put myself out there, I still wanted, still needed him.
It sucked. Big time.
I closed my eyes, luxuriating in the impression of his hand on my lower back as it burned into my mind. I inhaled, letting the smell of leather and soap fill my senses. I leaned into the sensation of his heart beating beneath my palm, memorizing the pounding rhythm.
We stood there, motionless, for so long that when he stepped back, I opened my eyes and it felt like I was coming out of a haze.
“You wanted to talk.”
Damn. Where was all that anger I’d been feeling just moments ago? It had all drained out of me the second I was in Hud’s arms.
“What is going on between us?”
I figured starting there couldn’t hurt. Best case, he answers me and we have a meaningful dialogue that sheds light on the situation. Worst case, he gives me some asinine answer that would cause me to muster up that good ole’ righteous indignation that escaped me now.
“Nothing,” he answered flatly.
Ding, ding, ding. We have a winner.
“Bullshit!” I yelled.
His left brow lifted slightly, but he remained quiet.
“That’s a lie and you know it.” I poked my finger into his chest and it felt like I hit steel. Maybe he really was Superman. Maybe that’s why he didn’t want us to be together, because he was leading a double life.
He stepped back and my hand fell to my side. “Is that it? Because I need to get back to my parents’ party?”
“Is that it?” Had he lost his mind? “No. That’s not it. There is something going on between us. Just because you can turn it off and on like a faucet doesn’t meant that it’s not there.”