Page 79 of Here's to Yesterday

If it were anyone else sitting across from me, I’d probably puff my chest and deny my feelings because men don’t talk about their feelings or something like that. I’d play it off and move on. But it’s Hudson, and he’s the last person I’d ever do that shitwith.

“Basically.”

“And you didn’t hit him back because…” Hudson trailsoff.

“Because I was knocked flat on my ass? Dude has been hitting the weights or something,” I say, running my fingers lightly over my swollenface.

It takes Hudson a moment to respond to my smart-ass comment, and when he does, it’s not what I’m expecting tohear.

“You know it’s okay, right? You loving her is okay. It’s also okay that she lovesyou.”

My eyebrows crease and my lips screw up in confusion. “But how? How is any of thatokay?”

Hudson shrugs. “Because love is shit, Tuck. It’s absolute shit. When love hits, it doesn’t fucking care where you are in life. It doesn’t give a shit if you’re in a relationship with someone else or not. Love just knows it needs to be felt, acknowledged. Love just want tobe. And that’s okay. You need to let it. No matterwhat.”

I stare blankly at him, still not gettingit.

He huffs. “Remember when I met Rae? I was trying to move into my own place and juggle Joey and the shop and everything else. I wasn’t ready for a relationship. But I got one. Love made me its bitch, and I’m so fucking thankful for it. I needed it. I needed her. Looking back on it, I think she came at the best time. And remember how much she didn’t want children? The other night Joey asked about maybe having a baby in the house someday, and Rae didn’t freak out. She didn’t fucking freakout.”

He pauses, smiling like the sun just rose for the first time indays.

“Love is a goddamn miracle worker,” he continues. “And your worst nightmare. But in the end, it’s inevitable, because the instant that little Cupid fucker finds you, you’re done for. It’s not going to be faultless, but it will be yours. So take it for what itis.”

I nod, understanding him a bit more now. Love doesn’t care. It only wants to happen, and what’s happening with Maura and me can end up being good for both of us. I can’t help the way I feel any more than she can. We need to roll with it and move forward. Everything will fall into place if it’s meant tobe.

“Thanks, man. I have a feeling I may need a few more of these peptalks.”

“Oh my God. I get into one relationship and suddenly I’mthatguy,” hejokes.

I toss a sugar packet at him. “Shut up,asshat.”

A runner comes by and drops our beers off real quick. I don’t have time to think about where the hell Maura is before Hudson is back to badgeringme.

“Now tell me aboutWednesday.”

“For the love of—how fast do these two girls relay info to oneanother?”

“Fast, man. I’m positive I caught Rae texting Maura when we had make-up sex one time. Duringit.”

My mouth drops open in shock. “Seriously?”

Hudson busts out laughing. “No, you numbnuts. But really, it’s like within hours of the info comingout.”

I whistle low. “Damn.”

“Yep,” he says. “So.Wednesday.”

With a slight cringe, I tell him, “Got an introduction meeting. I’m nervous, but I’m sure it’ll all workout.”

“You gonna get your lips off my ass and leave thistime?”

I blanch because…what?How does heknow?

Hudson gives a small chuckle. “What? You think I don’t know you stuck around to help me clean up my shit life? I know. And I love and hate you all at the same time for it. But now it’s time for you to move on. Or else,fucker.”

I can’t help but laugh at the “or else” part. I meet his stare and say, “I seeyou.”

“I see you,too.”

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