Misconception (Coming Home)

“Um, Brett, Bruce, and Jacob.” April holds up a finger as she says each name.

“Outside of our friends,” Darcey sighs. “I need to get out of this small town.”

“Not you too.”

“Nah, I’m a lifer. I love this place. I just wish there were more options for relationships.”

“Maybe someone you’ve never considered is right under your nose,” I suggest.

She grins at me and points her index finger at my chest. “You have a crush.”

“No.”

“Come on, you can tell me.” There’s a glimmer in her eyes, and I’m not sure if it’s the alcohol or if she knows that I have a thing for Hudson. I’ve tried really hard to keep it hidden over the years, but I’m sure I did a shit job.

“Leave her alone.” April comes to my defense. “Besides, she needs a drink.”

“I’m not feeling all that well. I’ve been fighting a headache all day. I’m just drinking water,” I say, holding up my water bottle as if I need evidence of the fact.

“Party pooper.” April sticks her tongue out at me.

I don’t bother holding in my laughter. “I’m going to go grab some food. I’ll see you all in a little while.” With a wave, I walk off and head toward the tables covered in food. I’ll eat, talk to my sister a little longer, and I’m out of here.

Grabbing a plate, I start to fill it up when I feel him behind me. I pretend he’s not there and continue down the line, grabbing some vegetables and dip.

“Riles?”

I stop, pull in a deep breath, and look over my shoulder at him. He’s close. So close, I can feel his hot breath across my face. “We need to talk.”

“This is your party, Hudson. You should be enjoying yourself.”

“I leave tomorrow.” His tone is solemn.

“I know.” I look down at my feet. I want to beg him not to go, but he’s not mine, and it’s not my place. Besides, even if he were mine, I wouldn’t ask him not to go. If this is something he wants or, hell, even needs to do, I support him.

He reaches out and places his hand on the small of my back. “You look beautiful,” he whispers.

His touch burns through the thin fabric of my dress, branding me. “Thank you. You look nice too.” I clear my throat before stepping away from his touch and turning to face him. “Are you all packed?”

“You don’t care about that.”

“Of course I do.”

“Riley.”

“Hudson.”

He steps in closer. “That kiss.”

I raise my hand to stop him. “It was a mistake. I understand. Not a big deal. Water under the bridge. We were in the heat of the moment.”

His jaw stiffens, and so do his shoulders. “Right. A mistake. Water under the bridge.” He shakes his head as if he’s disgusted. “I need another beer.” Just like that, he beelines toward the coolers and grabs not one but two bottles of beer.

I keep my eyes trained on him as he twists off the cap of the first and tilts it back. He doesn’t stop until it’s drained. He tosses it in the trash, along with the cap from the second, and stalks off toward the guys.

I wish I knew what he was thinking. I guess I should have kept my mouth shut and let him explain, but I was giving him an out. I was giving us both an out. It’s easier for me to say those things than to hear those very words pass his lips. I’m in protection mode, which only seems to piss him off even more.

I should throw caution to the wind and tell him how I feel, but I can’t stomach the thought of his rejection. It’s better this way. At least, that’s what I keep telling myself. He’s leaving, so starting something now would be pointless and way too fragile for a one-year hiatus anyway. It’s just not our time.

My heart sinks because I realize it might never be.

CHAPTER 6

Hudson

I’m standing in the back corner hiding at my own party. The party that wasn’t mine until a week ago when I made a life-altering decision. I’m leaving for Guatemala tomorrow, and I’ll be gone for a year. Twelve months. Three hundred and sixty-five days of not seeing her.

What the fuck was I thinking?

Oh, right, I was thinking that the woman I love doesn’t love me back. I tried talking to her earlier, but she blew me off. Just like she’s been blowing me off all damn week. I wanted to clear the air with her before I leave tomorrow, but she’s not interested. So instead, I grabbed a couple of beers and stalked off. I hung with the guys for a while until I had to take a piss. After handling my business, I’ve been standing here in this corner watching her.

She’s so damn beautiful it makes my chest ache just to look at her. I had her in my arms, my lips were on hers, and it was over far too soon. Now, my impulsive decision, which I thought we both wanted, has led me to miss her like a fucking limb.