Page 73 of Hale

“Fine,” Hudson agrees.

Nick gives a slight shake to his head but says nothing else before stalking out of the room.

So much for being careful.

By the time we make it to the lake, it’s dark out. About twenty vehicles are parked at a clearing near the water. People are laughing and drinking near a bonfire. During dinner, Hudson and I played it safe. Eventually, Nick calmed back down. I think we’ve convinced him because he goes back to being his usual jokester self. Hudson is stiff but forces himself to joke around with Nick as though our secret isn’t a thick fog hanging around us.

“Nick!” a girl yells as she runs our way. She throws herself into his arms and kisses him. The girl is drunk already.

“Hey, Caitlin. Missed you, beautiful,” he says, his hands on her ass as he carries her off.

Hudson and I exchange relieved looks.

“Long time, no see, stranger,” a sultry voice says from behind us.

I turn to see a pretty blonde walking our way.

“Jada,” Hudson greets.

My entire body grows tense as I wilt in her presence. She’s prettier, has much bigger breasts, and has had my brother’s dick in her mouth. I’m jealous and hate her. No denying that.

“I’m Jada,” she says, extending her hand to me.

“I’m Hudson’s…” I pause. “Sister.”

Her eyes widen. “So nice to meet you. For a second, I thought you were Amy.” A giggle escapes her, making her boobs bounce with the movement. It makes me want to drag Hudson far away from this woman.

I shake her hand despite not wanting to. “Nope. Just Rylie.”

“Rylie came to visit,” Hudson says as his palm rubs up and down my back. “If you don’t mind, we’re going to find someplace quiet to talk. Things are hard since losing Mom and Dad.”

Her brows scrunch together. “Of course. I’m so sorry for what you’re both going through.”

I give her a pleasant smile but then let out a breath of relieved air when she walks off.

“I hate her,” I hiss under my breath.

Hudson shoots me a hot look. One that says,You have nothing to worry about because it was you I was inside a couple of hours ago. “Come on.”

I follow him to where someone has a big water cooler sitting on the back of a tailgate. Something tells me it’s not filled with water, though. Hudson pulls two Red Solo cups from a bag and sets to filling us up on the mystery liquid. He hands me my cup and I take a sip.

“Tangy,” I say and shudder. “And strong.”

“Don’t drink too much, lightweight.”

A couple of guys walk over to us. We spend the next hour chatting and hanging out. One can’t keep his eyes off me, though. As they talk about baseball, I find that Hudson has moved to stand almost completely in front of me.

“Find something interesting?” Hudson snaps, interrupting the one named Brian to glower at the one beside him. The one who keeps staring at me I’ve learned is Logan.

“You don’t have to hide,” Logan says, grinning at me. “I don’t bite.”

“Don’t talk to my sister.” Hudson is tense and after several glasses of the mystery punch, he’s feeling the effects of the alcohol and is poised for a fight.

“Hudson,” I murmur and clutch onto his T-shirt from behind.

Logan chuckles. “Protective older brother. I get it. I won’t hurt her. Just wanted to get to know her.”

“No,” Hudson barks.