Dex was taken aback by Hudson's words. "I really do that?"
"There's no forgetting you, Dexter. I'm certain anyone who's ever met you would agree."
"Dude, you guys are killing me with all the feels."
Austen slapped Dex on the back. "Well, then, I guess this means it's time to get drunk off our asses."
Dex was handed a couple of colorful shots that he threw back before letting out a loud whoop. A collective cheer followed as he headed for the dance floor, ready to get his groove on. The open bar and his friends made sure Dex was never without a drink in his hand. Thanks to his mutated DNA, he could throw them back without the worry of getting shit-faced too quickly. A little later, he was still trying to work out if that was a blessing or a curse. He'd lost count of how many he'd had, and he was just starting to feel a nice buzz. Dex bounced around with Hudson to Billy Idol's "Dancing with Myself" while Cael, West, and Calvin danced around Seb and Hobbs. Ash was either drunk or having a good time, considering how much he was smiling and laughing tonight.
Dex kept checking in with Calvin to make sure Hobbs was doing all right. The club was packed--and would become even busier as the night went on. It had a lot of lighting effects, loud music, and noise. When the invites had gone out, although Dex hadn't known the plan for the evening, he'd stressed to Calvin that Hobbs's comfort was what mattered most to him. His feelings would not be hurt if they couldn't make it; and if they did, they didn't need to feel obligated to stay. With Hobbs's social anxiety, it all came down to how the big guy was feeling that evening and then the situation once he got there. Calvin hadn't left Hobbs's side for a moment, and as of a couple of songs ago, Hobbs was still cheerfully bouncing around to the music with his boyfriend and their friends.
Everyone seemed to be having a great time, including Dex. The only thing that would have made it perfect was Sloane. After dancing to a few more songs, Dex took a seat on one of the banquettes and grabbed the bowl of gummy bears. Hudson took a seat beside him.
"Open," Dex ordered, and Hudson opened his mouth, laughing around the gummy bears Dex tossed at him. They all made it in.
Hudson hummed in delight
as he chewed. "Ooh, cocktail flavored," he said around a mouthful, indicating he was tipsy. They both munched on gummy bears as they watched their friends and family dancing away. Hudson soon broke the silence.
"You miss him."
Dex shrugged. "I'm being an ass. It's not like I don't see him every day."
"That doesn't mean you won't miss him when he's not around. Your bond with him is deep. That connection tends to intensify certain aspects of your relationship."
True. If anyone understood the pull, the need and desire, it was Hudson. It took a hell of a lot of control on Dex's part not to get overwhelmed at times. He was getting better at controlling his impulses where Sloane was concerned, but it was a work in progress.
"So, how's married life?" Dex asked, needing to change the subject. The wedding, TIN, his mutation, and the stress levels that came with everything on his schedule lately were throwing him off his game. Maybe he'd talk to Cael about it. His brother would no doubt jump at the chance to help out.
Hudson's cheeks flushed. "Every morning I wake up in his arms, and when he opens his eyes, he smiles, and it takes my breath away without fail."
"You two are adorable."
"We have a lot of time to make up for."
"I'm impressed the two of you left your honeymoon cabin long enough to take pictures," Dex teased, loving the way Hudson's face flushed even more. "The picture of you and Seb in your Therian forms playing in the snow is my new favorite. It's my desktop wallpaper at work." Dex went thoughtful. "Who took the picture?"
"Seb's taken up photography again. He set up a timer."
"He's really good."
Hudson beamed at him, but the smile left his face, and he went pensive, then pained.
"What's wrong?"
Hudson worried his bottom lip for a moment before replying, his voice low. "I'm so sorry, Dex. I'm such a terrible friend."
Dex frowned. "What are you talking about? You're an awesome friend. You hid me from Ash when I accidentally spit my coffee in his face."
"Yes, that was most unfortunate," Hudson said, shaking his head sadly.
"In my defense, he's the one who decided to stand in front of me and say, 'you didn't shove it hard enough.'"
"Poor choice of words," Hudson agreed, nodding.
Even if Ash had been referring to Dex pushing through a street mob where his inability to move three mountain-sized bear Therians with his shield got him trapped and needing rescue from Ethan, Seb, and Ash, he really should have chosen his words better.
"So, what's on your mind? What's got you looking so guilty, and British?"