Page 41 of Crash and Burn

Hey, can we talk?

I hope you’re ok, Hudson.

Are you mad at me?

I know you probably regret kissing me. I understand.

Ok, I’ll leave you alone. I’m sorry I ruined a good thing, Hudson. Take care of yourself.

Hudson was a good person and we had seriously fucked things up. I was running from Kevin and didn’t want to mess up my friendship with Hudson. My feelings were a train wreck. It was hardnotto develop feelings for Hudson, but I knew that wasn’t what he needed at that moment. Hell, I didn’t even know if it was what I needed.

I closed my eyes thinking about the energy between us and how intense it was. His body was so warm. Beneath me, I could feel him pulsating as each kiss got deeper. I closed my eyes and felt like I was right back with him. I blew out an exasperated breath. I was hot and needed to go splash my face with water. Trying not to think about him felt impossible.

My phone vibrated, interrupting my thoughts. It was my mom. I took a deep breath before answering.

“Hey mama!”

“Hey baby. You doing ok? You’ve had a hell of a week.” My mom is so sweet. We don’t talk all the time and she lives on the east coast now, nowhere near me, but we’ve always had a good relationship.

“I’m doing ok. Trying to pretend hell didn’t just sweep in, burn everything up and leave again.” I know my analogy isn’t lost on her.

“Oh Amelia. He’s not a good person. Don’t let him take your freedom. You’re in charge of your life. He has no say. He was part of your life for a brief time and just because he showed up again doesn’t mean you have to accept it. There are things you can do.”

“I know, mama.” My voice was almost a whisper. “Who called and told you about it?”

“Sheila called me.”

I figured it was Sheila.

“I’m tired, mama. But I’ll be fine.”

“Okay…Thank goodness for your friend. I’m glad you have him close.”

I thought,so close, and yet, so farbut said, “Me too. I gotta go, mama. I love you.”

“I love you too, Am. Call me this weekend. Be careful.”

“I will. Bye.”

I just needed to get through the week. One-minute Hudson was embedded in my life and the next he was gone...and I was alone again.

Chapter 14

Hudson

I looked down at my phone and saw Vinny was calling.

When I picked up, I tried to sound like nothing was wrong. “Hey Vin. What’s up?”

“Bro, what’s goin’ on with you? Carter said you’re goin’ through some sorta crisis.”

“Carter called you? Great.”

“Well, if I’m bein’ honest, he told Lex. Lex called Bianca, and I heard Bianca tellin’ Darla.”

“For fucks sake! Soeveryoneknows? Wonderful. I swear, nothing is private in this group.”

“Hey, you should love it, truly. We’re like a big family… everybody knows everything. Look at my family. Everyone knows me and Bianca aren’t on the best terms. It is what it is, ya know?”

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