Page 123 of Promise Me

The lack of communication on both sides was high back then. I can’t blame them for how I handled things, and I can’t blame them for not knowing what I wanted if I wasn't telling them.

If the roles were reversed, what would I do? How would I help someone? We all started together, and our careers were justtaking off. Life was busy, and our commitment to the team took up a lot of our time. Like Archer just said, they were doing what they thought was best.

Fuck.

The same way I treated Sadie by not telling her about the space between her bakery and my bar.

I didn’t intend to hurt her, and they didn’t intend to hurt me.

I let out a breath.

“When’s the wedding?” I ask.

“Tomorrow.”

“Cool, I’ll—ugh, I’ll send a case of wine over. My treat.”

Archer tilts his head. “Is everything okay?”

“Yep.”

They both watch me cautiously. When I think they will head into the bar for a drink, Luca rounds the corner and shouts my name.

“Hudson!”

Archer, Carver, and I all glance his way as he walks up.

“No shit, you came. I was just coming to tell him you were in town,” Luca says with a grin.

I glance between them.

“They messaged me on the gram since you don’t have social media, and I gave them my number.”

Awesome.

“This is great timing because Hudson here could use a friend, and I’m in crunch mode trying to land a build with the devil herself.”

What the hell is my brother talking about?

“I don’t need a friend.”

“Last time life didn’t work out your way, you shut everyone out. I’m not letting it happen again. Luckily, these two are in town at the perfect moment. Fate is here, boys, don’t waste it.”

Luca walks off with his phone to his ear, and all I can think, again, iswhat the fuck?

I watch until he disappears and then glance back at Archer and Carver.

They’re both grinning.

“So that’s Luca,” Carver states.

“That’s Luca.”

“Should we get a beer?” Archer asks and points to the bar.

I take a breath and then let it out, dropping my chin to my chest. What have I got to lose?

“Okay,so let me get this right.” Carver takes a pull from his second beer and then sits up taller. “You two hated each other, but now you love her.”

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