Page 126 of Tempting Me

Hudson

He told you?

I groan and slide my phone back into my pocket. Twice a day now, they check in on how I’m doing. Ihaven’t shared many details, but they know it has to do with Shay. If Ruby knows, it’s because she’s talked to Shay.

Something I haven’t done because I still have no idea what I'd say that’s different from what I said before.

Heartbreak is a weird thing.

I’m still living and all that, but I feel like a part of me died. A part that was filled with happiness and plans for the future.

I don’t fucking know.

I just know that I'm going through the motions, but I feel like a part of me is missing.

And I want it back, but I don't know if I could go through this again.

On a groan, I get out of the truck. I wish I knew which direction my personal life is going.

But until I figure things out, work is all I need.

“Could you just talk or something?”Hudson says, arms folded as he glares at me from the other side of the bar top.

“I’m eating lunch. What more do you want from me?”

“Well, more than what you're giving. Seriously, you’re giving me some ‘I’m about to punch you in the face’ vibes.”

I let out a huff laugh and stab my fork into my salad. “Well, I'm about to if you don’t stop telling me to act differently.”

He steps closer and leans down in front of me.

“Did I tell you that Shay came in looking for you the other day?”

I refuse to look at him.

I figured he knew something was up when he found me sitting in his apartment the other day. I didn’t really know where to go, but I knew I’d be alone there, with Hudson and Sadie both working. He didn’t say a word, just asked if I wanted dinner and went on with his day.

It seems though, he was waiting to say more.

“She was in a panic and wanted to know where you were. She had tears running down her face, and she looked?—”

“I don’t care,” I cut him off.

His eyes go wide.

“Shay and I aren’t a thing anymore.”

“Yeah, I gathered that. I still think we should?—”

“I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Luca, man, come on. You’re clearly upset over it and?—”

“I said I don’t want to talk about it.” My voice is firm enough that Hudson flinches and steps back.

“Sure. But take it from someone who’s been in your place before, the?—”

“Have you really? Have you been in love with a woman who was too scared of what her family would think of the two of you, so she just … forget it.”

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