Page 27

Fisher

We dockedbehind The Rusty Hook later that evening. We’d spent the entire afternoon in bed, and part of me wished we were still there—in our private little bubble—but another, larger part of me was incredibly excited.

Because Hudson was taking me out. In public. As his boyfriend.

“I hope all my friends are here tonight,” I said, hopping out of the boat and waiting for Hudson to join me. “Their friendervention can suck on this!”

“Say what now?”

I grabbed his arm as he neared and tugged him across the deck toward the pub’s back door. “I can’t wait for them to see us on a date,” I said, because that was simpler than explaining the rest.

“This isn’t a date.”

My step faltered with my heart. “What?”

My voice betrayed me, and Hudson dipped down to kiss my forehead. “No, I’m not hiding anything, sweetheart. We’re together, and I don’t care who knows it. But when I take you on a date, it won’t be to the damn pub where you hang out every other night. It’ll be special.”

“As long as it’s not The Savory Swallow.”

Hudson shuddered. “No, I think we can do better than that.”

I grinned and leaned into him as we entered the pub, the gloom making us both pause a moment to allow our eyes to adjust. “Well, I’ve already been your date on a booze cruise, so that’s out.”

He chuckled. “Maybe we’ll book a moonlight dinner cruise for two with the Dreamboats.”

“You’d book with your competition? And such dreamy ones too? You are confident.”

He chuckled. “You wouldn’t throw me over for a dreamier boat captain, would you?”

“Never.”

We kept up the flirty banter as we made our way through the pub, and it was fun to forget for a few minutes that Hudson’s business might be gone in another season or two if he didn’t figure out how to increase his profit margin, and that these same people smiling, nodding, and waving to me might turn their backs once they found out how badly I’d screwed the pooch with the resort plan.

“Dang, do you get this kind of greeting every time you go out?” Hudson shook his head. “I’m going to bring down your standing.”

“I don’t know. That table is very excited to see you here with me.”

Poppy, Sawyer, and Cash were doing their best to embarrass me. Poppy jumped out of her seat and waved, while Cash cat-called us with a loud ow-ow-owwwww. Sawyer being Sawyer, he only gave us a sarcastic thumbs-up.

I glanced toward the bar. Brooks nodded his approval and held up two fingers to tell me he’d be over in a couple of minutes.

“Wow, okay, settle down,” I said as we reached the table. “I don’t want you to scare him off.”

“Not possible,” Hudson said.

Sawyer smirked. “Yeah, I saw this guy sleeping outside in his boat because he couldn’t stand being at home without you, so…”

My heart skipped. “Is that true?”

“The place was too empty without you,” Hudson said, a hint of color pinking his cheeks above his beard.

“Aww,” Poppy crooned. “That’s so sweet.”

“It really is,” I said, giving his hand a squeeze. “I’m glad you came for me.”

“In front of Boone, no less,” Sawyer said.

“You heard about that?”

“The whole town heard about it. Boone was not quiet in his grumbling about Hudson messing around with his son.”

“Oh, geez.” I pulled out my chair and sat. “I thought he took it better than that.”

“He was probably in shock,” Hudson said. “Grudges don’t die overnight.”

I scrunched up my nose, because this grudge was stupid and always had been. “I guess.”

“I’m just glad I’ve still got my balls,” he said. “Figured Boone would rip them off the second he heard about us.”

“Well, I’m glad too because I kind of like your balls.”

My friends groaned right on cue. “TMI, dude!

I rolled my eyes. “Dad needs to over it. I get to decide who to date.”

“Yes, you do,” Hudson said, bending to kiss my cheek. “And I’m glad you chose me.”

Cash sat with his chin resting on his hand. “Hudson should invite Declan to join us. He’s over at the bar.”

I raised my eyebrows. Seriously?

“What?” he said. “You’re a couple, so you want to blend the friendships, right? That’s what couples do.”

“How would you know?” Sawyer snarked.

Cash flipped him off.

“Declan doesn’t have many friends in town either,” Hudson said. “If you don’t mind…”

“Of course not.” I leaned in and murmured, “But Cash will probably hit on him.”

Hudson smirked. “Should be fun to watch. I’ll be right back.” He paused. “Want me to ask if Skylar can join too? Or would you rather relax and wait for another time?”

It was tempting to take the out he was offering me. I wanted to enjoy this evening with friends. With my boyfriend. But the community meeting was in a few days. I didn’t have the time to waste. If I really was going to subvert Scott and Leon’s plans—if that was even possible—this was the time to act.

“Invite Skylar over,” I said with an apologetic smile. “Not much of a first night out, huh?”

Hudson squeezed my shoulder as he stood. “Hey, we’re together. That means it’s everything I could want.”

I watched him walk away, admiring the way the crowd parted for his broad shoulders. He was so big that his presence demanded notice. And he was all mine. I gave a happy sigh.

“You’ve got it bad, huh?” Cash said.

“Yeah,” I said without a single ounce of shame.

“I’m happy for you,” Poppy said. “I was worried there for a minute, but it turns out Sawyer was right.”

I quirked a brow. “Sawyer was right?”

“The man is head over heels for you,” Sawyer said. “I was pretty damn sure of it.”

I grinned, warmth suffusing my whole body. “He’s not the only one in love.”

“Yeah, but we knew you were a goner all along,” Cash teased.

“Oh, that reminds me,” I said. “Your friendervention can suck it!”

My friends were still laughing as Hudson returned with a dubious-looking Declan and a confused Skylar in tow. Brooks wasn’t far behind, carrying a bucket filled with ice and bottles of beer.

“Sam Adams is on special tonight,” he said as he deposited it in the center of the table. “This round is on the house.” He tipped his head toward me and Hudson. “Consider it a congratulations.”

“Thank you.” Hudson sounded surprised. “That’s a really nice gesture.”

“Sure is,” Brooks said. “You break his heart, and I’ll break you.”

Hudson glanced sidelong at me. “I break his heart, I’ll break myself.”

Skylar cleared his throat and rounded the far side of the table. “If we’re done with the violent threats, can someone tell me why I’m here?”

“Oh, hey, Skylar.” Brooks looked chastened. “I’m sorry. I wouldn’t really hurt anyone.”

Wow. I’d never seen him backpedal so fast. What was that about? It was obvious he was just posturing so Hudson would know he cared about me, right? Skylar didn’t really think…

But Skylar’s smile was strained. He’d put distance between them. “It’s fine.”

It wasn’t fine. I could see that in the tense set of his shoulders. But he was still waiting for an answer so I gave him one.

“We, uh, wanted to talk to you about your father,” I said.

Skylar’s eyebrows shot up. “My dad? Why?”

“Yeah, why?” Brooks echoed.

Hudson gave me a nod of encouragement. I drew a breath. “We need him to invest in the resort so the Wexlers can’t.”

“Since when?” Poppy asked.

“I thought you wanted that resort to go through,” Declan muttered. “Even though I have a perfectly nice bed-and-breakfast.”

“Your BB is the bomb,” Cash said, putting a hand on Declan’s arm.

Declan took a step back. “No thanks to you.”

“Harsh, man. You’re always so harsh.”

“Fisher, why the change of heart?” Poppy asked.

But Skylar answered before I could. “Because Scott and Leon Wexler are snakes.” He frowned. “But I don’t know if I should get my dad involved. I can’t promise he’ll do what you want with that property either.”

“Well, if not your dad, maybe he knows someone else who’d work with the town instead of against it?” I asked hopefully. “Or you do?”

Skylar looked speculative. “Yeah, maybe I do. Let me make some calls?”

“Can you do it fast?” I asked. “I hate to rush you, but we’ve got a community meeting in three days, and I’d really like to have some good news to deliver there.”

Skylar nodded. “Yeah, let me check into a couple things. I’ll get you answers as soon as I can.”

“Thank you.” I sagged into Hudson’s side. “I really appreciate this so much.”

Skylar smiled tentatively, and for the first time, it wasn’t nervous or strained. He really was pretty with his ice-blond hair and his pale blue eyes.

I glanced toward Hudson to see if he noticed, but he was gazing at me, his eyes warm. “Everything’s going to work out. No matter what, you’re doing the right thing.”

I swallowed and nodded. “I just hope it’s not too little too late. Whatever happens, I have to get the town on board.”

“They love you,” Hudson said. “You’ll do great.”

I wished I had his confidence, but the fact he believed in me made it a little easier to face what was to come. I smiled and kissed him right there, in front of all my friends. In front of the whole pub.

Because I could.

“I love you,” I said softly, for only his ears.

But I was sure that anyone who saw us now would see the truth all over my face.

Then a bottle cap hit my shoulder, breaking the moment. “Get a room!” Cash called out.

“Just not at my BB,” Declan added, making everyone laugh.

“I’ve got an apartment a couple of blocks from here, Hud. How about we go to my place when we’re done here? We can pack up my things in the morning.”

He looked uncertain. “With your parents right next door?”

“Yep,” I said, grinning sharply. “I feel like living dangerously.”

He laughed. “Pretty sure I’m the one risking life and limb, but yeah, okay. You’re worth it.”

“Might as well get my dad used to seeing us together.”

“Easy for you to say,” he grumbled good-naturedly.

I handed him a beer, then tapped the neck of my bottle against his. “To facing your fears.”

“To facing them together,” he added.

We both drank, and when we were done, Hudson handed off his boat keys to Sawyer, who’d offered to return it to the marina on his way to his late booze cruise. Then we headed out the front entrance and down the road toward my place. I was finally going to have the man of my dreams in the bed where I’d spent so many years dreaming of him.

Life was fucking great.

Hudson

Life was not great.

I woke in Fisher’s bed to a hammering knock and Boone’s not-so-dulcet tones. “I know you’re in there with my son, Hudson! Get up and get dressed.”

My eyes shot wide, my heart trying to leapfrog into my throat. “Shit, what do we do?”

“Relax. He knows we’re dating already.” Fisher raised his voice to be heard through the closed door. “What’s up, Dad?”

“Family breakfast,” he said shortly. “Your mother wants to meet your new boyfriend.”

He said the word with a significant amount of distaste.

To my horror, Fisher responded with, “Be right there!”

I went lightheaded. “We’re having breakfast with your parents then.”

“Yeah.” Fisher did a double-take when he saw my face. “Is that not okay? I mean, you already faced my dad.”

“At the store. Not…fresh from your bed.”

Fisher laughed and brushed a kiss to my lips. “It’ll be okay. Mom’s there to keep him from wielding any machetes near your balls.”

I shuddered. “Thank goodness for that.”

Fisher swung a leg over my hips, straddling me, and bent down to press his forehead to mine. “Hey, we’re doing this right? You and me. Boyfriends?”

“Yes. Always.”

“Good. Because I’m moving in with you, remember? You can’t get rid of me now.”

“Even if your dad continues to hate me?”

“Even then. Not like I let his grudge stop me before.”

My chest loosened, my next breath coming easier. “Right. Good. This is okay. It’s fine.” I pulled him down for a better kiss, morning breath and all. “It’s great.”

Fisher smiled down at me. “Come on. Let’s go eat some breakfast. Dad’s pretty good with a griddle.”

A day ago, I might have worried about Boone and a hot griddle in the same room with me, but if Fisher and I were going to do this right—and I meant to do it fucking great—then Boone and I had to put our shit aside and learn to be family.

We got dressed and Fisher dug through his bathroom cabinet until he found a spare toothbrush still in the wrapper for me to use. Once we were decent, we headed down the outdoor stairs, across the front lawn, and in through the front door.

I’d never been inside the Riggins home before, but I was too overwhelmed by Fisher’s mother, Melinda, sweeping me into a hug to notice my surroundings.

“Hudson, welcome,” she said brightly. “I’m so glad to finally meet the man who’s been so important to our Fishie.”

“Mom,” he groaned.

I chuckled. “Hey, she calls you Fishie too.”

“Don’t start,” he warned in a low voice. “I do not sleep with people who call me Fishie.”

Melinda’s lips twitched, and my face heated. I was sure she’d heard him, but she turned and led the way to the dining room without commenting on it. “Boone has made a heap of food, so I hope you’re hungry.”

“Starving.”

It was only a small fib. My nerves were a tight ball in my gut, leaving little room for food, but Melinda had a calmness about her that reassured me this would be a civil breakfast.

Then we entered the kitchen and Boone fixed me with a glare. “You two are serious, huh?”

“Dad, you knew that yesterday.” Fisher pulled out a chair at the oval-shaped dining room table. I took the seat beside him, even though Boone still loomed over us like an angry raincloud.

“I thought I was having a bad dream,” he retorted.

Melinda chuckled and patted his cheek, reminding me of Fisher’s response to me this morning. “Be nice, Boone.”

“I’m nice,” he muttered. “It’s damn nice of me not to…”

He trailed off, but I could fill in plenty of potential endings. Nice of me not to castrate him. Nice of me not to kick him out of my house. Nice of me to not stab him in the eye with my fork.

Fisher put his hand on my thigh, and my chest warmed. I wasn’t in enemy territory. I had my best ally by my side. I sent him a small smile before addressing Melinda. “This all looks great.”

A platter of waffles sat in the center of the table, smaller plates of bacon and eggs placed to either side of it. Syrup bottles, both dark and light, stood beside the salt-and-pepper shakers.

“Well, this is all thanks to Boone.” Melinda sat down across from us, and after a beat of hesitation, Boone did too. “Breakfast is his favorite meal of the day.”

Boone added two waffles to his plate, then handed the platter of food to Fisher. “Can’t have a good day without a good breakfast.”

I nodded as the breakfast dishes made their way around the table, and we all served ourselves.

“See, Fish? Why do you give me such a hard time for making you breakfast in the mornings?”

Fisher groaned. “Here we go.”

“I’m glad someone’s making sure he eats right.” Boone grimaced right after speaking.

“Something wrong?” I asked lightly.

He rubbed his chest. “Something didn’t go down right.”

Yeah, like his realization he just agreed with me about something.

Melinda seemed to notice. “You two aren’t so different.”

“Please don’t say that.” Boone sounded strained.

“Yeah, I’d rather you didn’t,” Fisher agreed. “One dad is enough, thank you.”

Melinda smirked, a playful spark in her eye. “Nothing wrong with a Daddy.”

Fisher and Boone gave identical groans of dismay.

“Mom, no.”

“Jesus, Melinda!”

I chuckled, glad for her ability to slice through tension, and scooped up a big bite of scrambled eggs. Suddenly, I really was starving.

“How serious are we talking?” Boone asked. “Spending holidays together serious? Because we’ve already got a full house.”

“Boone,” Melinda scolded.

“What? I’m just being practical.”

“Don’t listen to him,” she said. “We’ve always got room for Fisher’s partner.”

“Partner.” Boone grunted. “That sounds more serious than temporary mistake.”

“Dad, stop,” Fisher said impatiently. “You heard Hudson yesterday. He loves me. I love him. There’s no end date, okay? It’s not a fling. I’m moving in with him.”

“What?” Melinda sounded winded for the first time.

Fisher reached for her hand and squeezed it. “It’s time, Mom. We all know that me living here, even in the garage, is awkward. Even if Dad didn’t act like a big baby about Hudson—”

“Hey,” Boone protested.

“You do,” Melinda said. “Grow up if you don’t want your son to see it.”

He huffed and glared at me as if I was the one who’d insulted him.

“I’m just saying, we’ve all been chafing for a while.”

“Not me,” Melinda said, sounding forlorn. “You’re my baby.”

Fisher sighed. “That’s why it’s better for me to go.”

“You really shouldn’t move in with a man just to escape living with your family,” Boone said.

“I’m not,” Fisher said quickly. “Hudson and I have been seeing each other for weeks. I’ve already been spending almost every night there.”

“It’s still fast.”

Fisher needed some backup.

I cleared my throat. “I’m sure it feels awfully fast for you both, given how recently you found out. But for us, it’s the right time.” I wrapped my arm around Fisher’s shoulders, even though it intensified Boone’s glare. “We’ve been building a relationship, and this is the next natural step.”

“As long as you’re doing it for the right reasons,” Melinda said quietly.

“Mom, I’ll still come over for movie nights, okay? We’ll see each other just as much. Maybe more, even.”

She sighed. “I guess it was inevitable that you would grow up.”

“Kind of was,” Fisher said gently.

“I’m holding you to those movie nights,” she said. “And family dinner once a week.”

“Deal.”

“And family breakfast on Saturdays,” Boone added.

“Both of us?” When Boone hesitated, Fisher added, “I’m not coming unless Hudson is welcome.”

His father looked pained. “Fine, but if he messes up, I reserve the right to resume my grudge against him. This is a truce, not peace.”

“As long as you’re ready for that truce to last forever.” Fisher leaned in against my side and smiled. “Because this is it for me.”

He was only twenty-one. When we’d started seeing each other, I’d been sure he’d tire of me and move on. But Fisher was far too loving and loyal for that. I didn’t doubt, even a little, that he meant what he said.

I was the man for him. He’d decided I was worthy of his love, and who was I to question that? I’d do everything in my power to deserve his heart, but in the end, it was his choice, just as he’d tried to tell me.