Page 181 of The Friend Situation

“Hey, little cousin,” he says, moving forward to hug her. He glances over and catches sight of me. “Ah, didn’t realize you weren’t alone.”

He stalks over to me. An air of confidence surrounds him, and I understand precisely why Emma married this man. It’s the no-fucks-given attitude he exudes.

“Weston Calloway.” I stand, offering my hand.

“Hudson Jolly. Nice to meet ya,” he says with a firm grasp.

We stare at one another, standing eye to eye.

“I assume I don’t have to threaten you?”

I shake my head. “Nah, Dean and Matteo took care of it.”

“Did it work?” he asks.

“No,” I admit.

He grins, but I see the underlying meaning behind it. “Ah, well, you know the drill. I’ll fuck you up.”

I nod. “You have nothing to worry about.”

“I know,” he replies. “Emma told me.”

Hudson turns back to Carlee. “So, you and this guy?”

Carlee smacks him, and he pulls her into a hug.

“Missed you. Been staying out of trouble?”

“Always,” she says, laughing.

He releases her, grinning. “What are you two up to?”

“Thought we’d go for a ride. The weather is nice; the sun is out. It’s a great day to be free from shitty exes,” she says, winking at me.

“Yes, it fuckin’ is,” Hudson agrees. “Dakota and Thor are saddled and ready to go. They’re in the trailer right now.”

“You’re a literal angel,” Carlee says, waving to me to follow her. “We’ll take them off your hands.”

Hudson’s eyes remain fixed on me as I approach Carlee. When I’m close, I wrap my arm around her and kiss her forehead.

She chuckles, pulling me along with her. “He really will kick your ass.”

“Oh, I don’t doubt that,” I say.

A truck with a gooseneck trailer attached is parked outside the barn. Inside the trailer are two horses, patiently waiting, fully saddled.

“Where’ve ya been?” Carlee questions Hudson as he steps out of the barn.

“Lucas and I checked the fences on the other side of the property. We rode for about an hour,” Hudson explains. “Anyway, have fun. Unsaddle when you’re finished, please. I’m havin’ lunch with Emma.”

“Tell her I said hello. We’ll see ya,” Carlee tells him.

“Nice meetin’ ya, Weston. You two should come over for dinner,” he says.

“Maybe,” I tell him. “I’ll have to check our schedule.”

“Sounds good.”

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