Page 54 of The Sweetest Cruelty: Hudson (A Sawyer Brothers Story #1)

I suddenly understood what waiting with baited breath felt like.

Our eyes were tangled across the table as Hudson leaned over and took my hand by the wrist. “She’s too much of a distraction.

Especially in that skimpy-ass cheer uniform,” he replied, skimming his thumb over my pulse.

“There is nothing worse than a wide receiver on the field with a raging boner. Especially in the tightest of game pants. And you guys already know I struggle to fit in my jock-strap on a regular day.”

We all laughed. The boy just had no filter.

“Well, there is that,” Micah agreed, looking back and forth between us with a mock pitying look. His bruised face was much worse than Hudson’s.

Hudson released my hand after sending me a silent message. One that was extremely lust-infused. Everyone fell quiet as they watched the interaction between us until Nix ruined it by snorting. “God, you two have got it bad. ”

Reed’s stomach then rumbled so loudly that everyone’s attention switched.

As he was pinned with varying expressions, he raised his hands with a disgruntled look.

“What? I’m starving . I’ve had fuck all since breakfast.” The way he said those words, you’d think breakfast was days ago.

Everyone grunted, and the atmosphere became more relaxed.

“You’re such a fucking hog, Reed,” Phoenix snapped, taking a sip of his water. He had such a strong throat. You could see part of his tattoos peeking out of the collar of his shirt.

“Says the guy who had three breakfast burritos this morning,” Micah put out there.

The biggest Sawyer brother lowered the bottle, flexed his shoulders, and turned his entire body towards his brother. “Since when did you become Reed’s little bitch?”

“There’s nothing wrong with having your brother’s back,” Reed jumped in, clapping a hand on his other brother’s shoulder as a sign of appreciation.

Phoenix lifted an apple from his tray and bit into it. “There’s having a brother’s back and then there’s sucking his dick. The two are not the same.”

“Watch your mouths, guys. There’s a lady present,” Hudson stated, motioning towards me.

“Er, don’t you mean lady’s present?” Storm huffed, looking up from her lunch and pointing between me and her with her fork.

Reed smirked. “I don’t think he was referring to you in that, teacup.”

Placing her cutlery down, she sighed, her entire shoulders sagging. “Just suck my dick already, Prescott.”

“I rest my case,” Reed piped back. “Talking of dick, it looks like it’s time for you to eat Parker’s.”

Tate Parker was trying to get Storm’s attention. She was sitting in her usual place under the window. “She’s going to ask me if you’ll join us on Friday,” Storm whispered as she gathered her tray.

Wait? What? Tate Parker supported me in joining the cheer for such a big game.

My face must have said what I was thinking as Storm added. “Don’t get too excited. She needs you, or we must ditch the full routine. We can’t catch the flyer if we're a girl down. The staff won’t allow it.” The flyer was the girl they launched into the air. Thankfully, that wasn’t me.

So, Tate needed me. But then, so did the rest of the girls and the players .

I wanted to support Hudson and the team and give them my all. They had made me feel like part of their clan. I felt special and like I fit in for the first time. I didn’t know all the Sawyer brothers' stories, but I knew they were broken too.

Just like me.

With a glance towards Hudson, who gave me an ‘it’s up to you’ look, I replied. “Tell her, I’ll do it.”

My answer got a couple of whoops from the boys and a thumbs up from Storm, who then left to speak with the squad. I didn’t watch for Tate’s expression as I wasn’t doing it for her.

If anything, I was doing it for myself.

It was then all business at our table.

Hudson explained that after school that day, he would drive to Cranston to collect his father’s stuff.

“We should all go,” Micah said.

He shook his head, “No, I think I should do this alone.”

“Bullshit,” Phoenix barked. “You’re not going on your own.”

“I second Nix’s bullshit comment,” Micah agreed before jabbing Hudson on the arm. “What the fuck man? We’re your boys. We’ve got your back. Let’s do it together.”

I could see that Hudson looked uncomfortable accepting help, but his brothers were relentless. “We’ll make it into a road trip and drop by Easton's Beach on the way back. It’s the perfect place to keep the shit you want and toss the rest.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

“Yeah. I’m in. You’re outvoted Hudson.”

“Whatever, fine. But we don’t have time for the beach. I’ll just bring it back here. Open that shit when I’m ready,” he replied, knowing he had been defeated.

“Cool, Micah and I will go with Reed in his Jeep. So, you and wifey can drive alone together.”

Hudson flipped Nix off over the table for his wifey dig.

“Plus, you’ll need me to pick you up when your ride breaks down,” Reed chuckled, amused at his own joke.

Hudson shoved his tray away. “Alright, jerk-offs. Molly hasn’t even said she wants to come. And maybe you shouldn’t. What would you say to your dad?”

I scanned the faces of those surrounding me. “Oh, I’m definitely in,” I said .

My comment caused all the boys to turn and stare at me. Their expressions were varied, but Reed looked almost proud.

“Really?” Nix said, uncertainly.

Clearing my throat, I powered on. “Yes, this type of trip needs a woman’s touch,” I added, squaring my shoulders.

Phoenix held his hands up. “I won’t argue with that.”

Hudson’s eyes shifted from mine to the others. I knew he wasn’t so sure.

Reed’s shrewd eyes remained on me. He was the last person to say anything, and as the most protective of Hudson, his response mattered the most.

“Yeah. I agree. Molly should come to.” And then he followed that comment up with words that made my heart sing. “She’s one of us now.”

After a moment of silence to allow those words to sink in, the other brothers nodded their agreement.

“I suppose she is,” Hudson replied as he squeezed my hand.

After a beat of silence, he released me and then pushed to his feet.

“That’s settled then. We all meet out front after the bell goes. If any of you are late, we will leave without you. As dickless suggested, guys, you go in Reed’s Jeep. Molly will ride with me shotgun. Molly, what will you tell your dad?”

“It’s fine. I’ll think of something.”

“I’ll speak to Harper. Maybe she should come. Keep her out of trouble?” Nix said.

“Whatever. We’ll see you dicks later,” Hudson said, pushing to his feet. “Are you ready?”

I nodded and stood.

Hudson took my lunch tray and piled it on top of his own. “Where are we going?” I asked as he carried our trays around the table and joined me.

All eyes were on us.

“I’m going to walk you to class,” he replied.

“Pussy-whipped,” Micah coughed into his hand, causing the others to laugh.

“Blow me,” Hudson called out with an eyeroll and took my hand.

We arrived at my locker. “Are you OK?” Hudson asked, taking my keys from my hand when I failed to insert them into the lock the first time.

“Yeah. More than OK. What time did you leave last night?” I glanced around at the other students dotted around us, but they were wrapped up in their own business, for once .

“Not sure, it was after midnight,” he said with a stretch. Cocking his head, he then added. “You look like an angel when you sleep.”

“Really?” I sure hoped that was the case, and he hadn’t seen me catching flies or drooling into my pillow. What if I’d snored?

Hudson flexed his broad shoulders with an animal-like grace. “Yeah. It’s a good job that I don’t hit on unconscious females.” Sexual energy pulsated between us.

I then turned to face him with my back to the lockers. My heart was beating wildly in my chest. Hudson’s lips touched the corner of my mouth, and he slid his nose across my cheek towards my ear, whispering. “I should get a medal for walking away last night.”

“A medal?” I squeaked.

I felt him smile against my hair. “Yeah. But that will be the last time.”

My breath left my mouth in choppy pants. “The last time for what?”

“Walking away.” My nipples tightened in my bra as Hudson nibbled my earlobe before adding. “Next time, you’re mine, Molly Miller.”

“Is that a threat?” I husked.

His voice dropped to a rough growl. “That’s a promise, English. Not touching you last night was almost the hardest thing ever.”

I was intrigued. “The hardest being?”

Hudson’s eyes widened a fraction before he replied. “Talking about my past.”

Satisfaction for being the one he had spoken to rushed through me. “I know. And I’m glad you did, Hudson.”

He drew back to stare down into my eyes.

“So am I. Come on, let’s get you to class.”

As he walked me down the hallway towards AP English, he said.

“I woke up this morning feeling more positive than I have in ages. I’m still not out of the woods yet, but I’m getting there, and I have you to thank for that.

That’s why I want to get my father’s stuff, so I can draw a line under it all and move the hell on. ”

As we got to the door, he turned to face me and handed me my bag. “Maybe you can move on with me?” he suggested with a warm smile, pushing a lock of hair back behind my ear with his fingertips.

“What does that mean, Hudson?” Was he asking me out?

“Come in and take a seat, please, Miss Miller,” Professor MacDonald interrupted from inside the classroom .

His teeth flashed in a gleam of white. “You’ll see. I’ll see you after school, English.”

He then pecked my cheek, turned, and walked away.

As I entered the classroom as the first to arrive, I started to brainstorm on what to tell my father about my whereabouts after school.

The classroom started to fill up as I got my books out. I was just about to put my phone away when a text came in.

Heard you need an alibi for after school?

Yes please? I messaged.

Phoenix said something about a road trip. I’m coming too, so I’ve been told. I felt a thrum of joy that Harper would be there too. Going on a road trip with Hudson wasn’t so bad, but Hudson and all his brothers alone did make me feel a little anxious. We still didn’t know each other that well.

Great. What’s the story then? I asked.

Lang’s Bowlarama after school.

Got it. Laters XOXO.

“Cell phones off the table, please.” Prof Mac bellowed before breaking the news that we were having a test.

One I hadn’t revised for. Shucks.