Page 101 of Tough Love

Harry closes the distance between us, and I see every feature of his that he gave his son. His brilliant blue eyes, his defined square jaw, and his brown hair that has started to thin, unlike his son’s. He pulls me into a hug, and I clench my jaw tight to fight back the tears. “Never say never, Adeline. Life will laugh in your face and give you what you least expected butalwayswhat you need.”

God, now I know where Reed gets his philosophy lines from. I huff a laugh, and he releases me. His blue eyes search mine. “You are always welcome in our family. Bye, Addy.”

“Bye,” I whisper, but he walks out the door and closes it behind him.

After the last box of things I own is squeezed into the back, I slam the trunk shut and walk to the driver’s side door. With a last glance at the townhouse that has been my home for the past six months, I drop into the seat and pull the door closed. I startthe engine. As I shift the car into drive, Reed’s black truck wheels around the corner at an alarming rate.

Butterflies explode in my belly. And... Then they fizzle out as I recognize Mack in the passenger’s seat. They park across the driveway, blocking me in, and spill from the truck. I push out of my car and Mack has me in a rough hug a heartbeat later. “You were gonna leave without saying goodbye, Adds?”

I huff a strangled laugh past my swollen windpipe. And he releases me and dips his head. “Bye, Addy. Know you will be sorely missed. Ma says see ya later,her words.”

Reed steps into my space and hugs me around the waist, lifting me off my feet. “See ya later,” he whispers. I stifle a sob and slam my eyes shut to stave off the burn of tears.

When my feet hit the ground, I have to wipe my face, and Mack tousles my hair with a hand. “Safe travels, Adds.”

“Thanks.”

Reed stares at me for a moment as his brother gets back in the truck. “I know Hudson can be a stubborn ass?—”

“Is he—is he okay, Reed?”

“He went out on Rocket this morning, early. Haven’t seen him since.”

“Oh.”

“You know where to find us... You know, when wesee you later.” He winks and dots a kiss to my cheek before jogging back to his truck. My hands gravitate to my chest, shaking over the pounding heartbeat. When Reed’s truck roars back around the corner, the horn beeping like a loon, I huff a breathy chuckle. God, I will miss those two.

I slip back into my car and shut the door. Forehead hitting the wheel, I moan. I can do this. I can move on to my next chapter.

I set my shoulders back and put the car in drive.

My phone buzzes.

Ruby.

Turning onto the street, I let the car roll to a stop at the lights. Everything seems to shrink around me. And by the time I pass the city limits heading east, tears stream down my cheeks, dropping onto my jeans. Now I need to get out of here.

I smash the power button for the music and the last channel I had tuned in blares some slow country song. I bawl, letting the road in front of me blur. Sobbing hard, I chug for breath and have to pull over.

I’ve never felt this distraught over a guy. But Hudson is notsome guy. He was so much more to me. He touched every facet of my life. Of my heart.

A crushing weight thunders through every inch of me. I grip the wheel and cry until my throat is raw. And my ribs ache with every inhale.

An hour later, I dry my face and fix my mirrors, pulling back onto the highway. Every mile, the tears flow. It’s going to be a long, long four days by myself. I pick up my phone with one hand and tap speed dial for Rubes. She picks up on the second ring.

“You okay, Adds? Reed called.”

Of course he did.

“No, not one bit.”

“Fuck, Adds. Come home, babe. I got you, boo.”

I chug another sob, nodding. When I remember she can’t see me, I choke out, “On my way.”

“Good, I will have everything ready when you arrive. You’re staying with me until further notice, alright?”

“Sure,” I rasp, and a raspy chuckle slips out at her bossiness. Always organizing people, our Ruby.

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