Georgia-Blue & Hudson (Stoney Creek #5)

Chapter 28

28

Georgia

“You did a good thing,” Georgia says, stroking my back as we hang over the fence, watching Bucko when my brothers have all finally left.

“So everyone keeps sayin’, though I’m not so sure.”

“You have a past, he knows it’s you, and he hasn’t charged you. I think he knows that you’re not really the devil he once thought you were.”

He side eyes me in his periphery. “Thank you, I think.”

“Most people don’t care about the little details,” I go on. “They just see him as a wild animal to be taunted, to make money off of, though, I’m sure he gave as good as he got.”

“Why do you think I’m sittin’ out here with you?” he muses.

“True. But I love the fact that you don’t judge him for it.”

“I chose a dangerous career, that's on me. He has rearranged quite a few faces before his retirement.”

I’m very much like Brooklyn, and passionate about animals and how they’re treated. I might not be turning vegetarian anytime soon, but I respect it.

He slings his arm around my neck and I rest my head on his shoulder.

“I’m sure he did, but he’s so sweet.”

He chuckles. “You’re the only woman in the entire world who would call him sweet.”

“He likes me.”

“Can’t fight you on that.”

“Brook said you were thinking of getting some other rescues.”

I feel him glance down at me. “I’ve always wanted horses. I just never allowed myself to replace Snowy, which is dumb now that I think about it.”

I pat his chest. “You’ve just got so much in this big ol’ heart of yours.”

He presses his lips to mine. “This big ol’ heart beats a whole lot faster when you’re around.”

“You just love me for my bull-whispering skills.”

“No, I just love you the way you are.”

I pull apart. “You… you do?” I know we kinda said it a few weeks ago, but his was more of a ‘I love this,’ as in what we were doing, not so much me.

He rubs his nose against mine. “I’m nuts about you, Princess. Though, I’m sure that’s obvious since we’ve been sneaking into each other’s beds for the last couple of weeks.”

“I love you, too, I meant it when I said it before, but we kinda blew it off,” I say.

“I don’t know how I lived this long without you in my arms if I’m being honest.”

“Bull wrangling skills aside, you really mean that?”

He kisses me again. “Yes, I really mean it. I haven't said it to anyone since my mom.”

He’s silent for a while.

“I can’t imagine losing my mom so early in life.”

“It’s unbearable, and you know when people say as time goes one the pain lessens?” He shakes his head. “It’s a load of crap. You go through the motions. At her funeral, I wasn’t even present. I was angry at the world. Makin’ it all about me.”

“You were grieving, that’s allowed.”

“And in doing that, I was more miserable, never allowing myself to feel any joy. It’s not what Mom would’ve wanted.”

I snuggle into him again. “It’s not. I know I’ve said it before, but I believe she is looking down on you now, so proud. She’s rooting for us.”

He kisses the top of my head.

“Well, this looks cozy.”

We spring apart and I almost fall off the fence but Hudson grabs my arms to break my fall.

When my head whips around, I see Brooklyn. Shit. He rode up on his horse, Sailor, and was so quiet we didn’t hear him.

“I was, uh, cold,” I sputter.

He eyes Hudson, unsmiling. This isn’t like Brook. He always has a smile.

Hudson palms the back of his head. “It isn’t what you think.”

My heart sinks.

Here we go. Deny. Deny. Deny.

“Looks like it is what I think.”

“Let me finish.” Hudson waves a hand at him. “In Florida.” He swallows hard. “Something happened.”

Brook’s eyes almost bug out of his head. “Florida?”

I keep quiet, unable to meet his gaze.

“We’ve been seeing each other in secret,” Hudson says, knocking the wind out of my sails. He could’ve just told Brook I really was cold; he would’ve believed it. “I’m a chicken shit, and that’s no excuse, but this isn’t just a fling, this is the real deal, Brook.”

“You’re damn right it’s no excuse.” Brook circles around with Sailor, keeping her steady. “You need to fess up before Gray finds out.”

“Are you gonna tell him?”

Brook rolls his eyes. “Give me some credit.”

I frown. “So, you’re okay with this?”

Brook glances at me. “Please, I’ve been in your corner forever. Just took you two a little longer to figure it out.”

“What?” I stammer.

“You think all I do is come up with genius ideas for distilling bourbon and rescuing animals?” he snorts. “Not to mention, mine and Blake’s veggie garden, which should win some type of award. I’ve got eyes in my head. You two give off a vibe that’s off the charts, just so you know.”

“Have you been drinking mushroom tea?” I shake my head. “Your calmness over this is making me nervous.”

He points at Hudson. “Need to talk to Gray, you know how he is, then Dad.”

“In that order?”

“In that order, brother.”

I swallow hard. “Are you sure you’re not going to say anything?” I look up at him. “Before we get the chance to?”

Brooklyn jumps down off his horse and walks toward me. “What kind of brother do you think I am? You should also tell Beau right after; you know how sensitive he is and you keepin’ it from him won’t do any good.”

I nod. “You’re right.”

“Aren’t I always?” He glances at Hudson, then pulls him into a pound hug.

Hudson looks a little taken back. “You sure you’re good with this?”

He shrugs. “Georgia’s old enough to know what she wants, she’s an adult. And you’re part of the family. I’ve no issue with it, except the sneaking around part. You can’t live like that.” He looks back up at Hudson. “If you really love her, you’ll do the right thing.”

He stares back at my brother. “I really love her.”

Brook nods. “Then I trust you’ll fix it before it fixes you.”

I smile softly at Brooklyn. It could be worse: it could’ve been Gabe or Gray, and then Bucko wouldn’t be the only wild bull in town.

“I will.”

I slap Hudson on the chest. “Hey, I’m part of this, too!”

Hudson’s eyes meet mine. “No, babe. I have to do it the first time. If Gray wants to beat my ass, I’d prefer it if you weren’t there.”

“I’m coming! And he won’t dare do that.”

He laughs at the same time as Brooklyn, both sharing the same sentiment.

“Oh, he will,” Brook reassures us. “There’s no fear of that.”

“Great,” I mutter. “It isn’t like we planned it.”

Hudson gives me a nudge. “It’ll be okay, Princess. You’ll see.”

Brook tips his hat. “So, you got away from Stoney Creek for one weekend and this?” He spreads his arms.

Hudson puts his arm back around me.

“I guess it was meant to be,” I say.

My brother grins. “Can’t fight the love bug.”

I groan. “Oh, God, please don’t call it that.”

I know Brooklyn will keep to his word, but we’re playing with fire. And I’m not sure it’s a fire I’m going to be able to put out if this goes the other way.

But Gray needs to accept that I already have a dad, and while I appreciate his overprotectiveness, he’ll see that there is no other man better for me than Hudson.

I just hope Hudson doesn’t get a black eye, or Gray, for that matter. They both have a temper.

I just want this to be over and we don’t have to hide anymore. These few weeks have felt like months.

I need an emergency summit with Celeste, and maybe even Trudy and Eden. Throwing Autumn into the mix too might not be out of the question. And I know Mom will be over the moon.

It’s obvious Brook will tell Eden, and I know she won’t say anything, but sometimes you just need your posse. And that’s exactly what I’m gonna do.

??

“Holy shit,” Eden says, her eyes wide. “When Brook told me, I was shocked, but then he started teasing me and one thing led to another and…”

“Eww.” I throw a cheese ball at her and it bounces off her head. “No gross talk about my brother.”

“But you and Hudson?” She rubs her hands together. “That’s so hot.”

I laugh. Of course, I had to go over all the details of what happened prior at the wedding. The beach, my ex, our dancing. I left the details out, of course, but they got the picture.

“I’ve always seen you two together,” Trudy says. “Really. And Hudson has never settled down, in fact, I barely see him out these days, even at Moose’s.”

I waggle a finger at her. “I will knock him off his perch, I just haven’t told him yet when I’m going to do it.”

Celeste groans. “You’re not seriously still trying to steal his trophy, are you?”

“Steal?” I shake my head. “No, no. Earn is a better way of putting it. I’m going to show him that he underestimated me, where Moose riding is concerned, that is.”

“Wait, let’s get back to Florida.” Eden waves her hand. “You guys hooked up there for the first time?”

“Yep. Nothing happened prior to that. Nothing. Okay, I’ve always thought he was hot, of course, who doesn’t have a crush on Hudson Nash?”

“Me,” Celeste says.

“Me.” Trudy shrugs.

“Me.” Eden raises her hand.

“That’s because you’re all taken,” I say. “And I’m happy to let you all know that he’s not only amazing in bed, but he’s not so grumpy after all.”

“Oh God.” Celeste presses a palm into her forehead and stirs her coffee.

“They say that older men do know how to shake it.” Eden’s eyes meet mine.

Trudy puts her hands over her ears “I’m not sure I want to hear this.”

I laugh. “Calm down, I don’t have to give you all the nitty gritty. A girl can’t kiss and tell, that isn’t lady-like.”

“Lady-like?” Celeste snorts. “Uh, huh.”

I nudge her. “Okay, there was that one time that I swore like a sailor and got indecent threatening to ride the Moose, but I’d had too much of Brook’s Moonshine and I take the blame for that.”

They girls laugh at the memory. “We know not to let you anywhere near Brook’s stash,” Eden laughs. Then she leans in. “So, when is he gonna tell the others?”

I swallow hard. “Today.”

Their eyes all go wide at the same time. “Your dad included?” Trudy looks worried.

I nod. “Uh, huh. He’s called a meeting at the barn.”

“Don’t worry, Brook is on board,” Eden tells me. “But we know how Gabe and Gray are.”

“Ugh, tell me about it,” I sigh. “Poor Hudson, having to face them all. I wanted to go, but he said he had to do the man-to-man talk, and that he wouldn’t be able to do that and worry about me at the same time.”

“So sweet,” Eden gushes. “I knew he had a spring in his step since he got back from Florida.”

“More like he doesn’t want you to see him get beaten,” Trudy snickers. I give her a side-eye and she stops.

“Do you think they’ll really beat him?” I sit up straighter.

“Only Gray,” Eden and Celeste say at the same time. They both laugh and link pinkies, making a wish.

“Will you be serious?” I chastise. “I don’t want Hudson getting hurt.”

“Oh, calm down,” Celeste says. “He’s a big boy, and he did sneak around with you this entire time. They’ll settle it like men, and then you’ll be free to parade around town like the little lovebirds you are.”

I sink back against the booth. “I still have to tell my mom and dad.”

“I wouldn’t worry about them, well, your mom, anyway.” Eden’s eyes flick to mine. “Something tells me she will be okay with it. She loves Hudson.”

“Yeah, as Gray’s best friend. Not as my… whatever we are.”

“Lovers!” Trudy coos.

The others laugh too and I tell them to pipe down. We may be at my place with no one to overhear us, but that’s not the point.

Celeste pops another cheese ball into her mouth. “He really is a stud when you think about it, he’s got thirteen years on you, so that’s kinda hot, too. You’re just rackin’ up all those green flags, girl.”

“What’s kinda hot?” Autumn joins us, apologizing for running late. Of course, now I feel terrible she’s going to know before my own twin brother.

Before I can open my mouth, Trudy says, “Georgia and Hudson have been doin’ the nasty since Florida and they got caught by Brook and now Hudson’s over at the Bassett’s about to meet God.”

Autumn stops dead in her tracks. “What the heck?” She turns to me. “You’ve been boning Hudson?”

I pinch the bridge of my nose. “More importantly, we’re in love.”

She gasps, her hands up to her mouth as she lets it sink in. “Since when?”

“Florida,” Celeste, Eden and Trudy chime at the same time.

“And you’re a couple now?”

I nod. “Yes, well, that’s if he survives my family.”

She slides onto the couch next to me. “You got back from Florida weeks ago.” Her face lights up. “Wait, I knew there was something different about you!”

“He popped her cherry,” Trudy puts in.

I slap my forehead. “Thanks, Trudes! Real eloquent.”

She shrugs. “Well, he did.”

“I knew Hudson seemed a bit less broody than normal,” Autumn says, still looking slightly bewildered. “And now we know why.”

“Please just assure me it’s gonna be okay,” I whine. “I don’t want him coming home with black eyes and a broken nose.”

“Aww, she said home.” Celeste gives me a cuddle and I try hard not to laugh.

“Oh, stop it. You know what I meant.”

“When are y’all moving in together?” Trudy prods. “Your place or his?”

“His!” We all chime at the same time, then we all fall about laughing.

“Sneaking around is so exhausting,” I say, wiping my eyes when we’re done. “We’re not doing anything we’re ashamed of, and as much as Hudson respects my brothers and my dad, we’re in love, and we want to be together.”

Autumn gives me a hug. “I’m happy for you, GB.”

“Us too.” Trudy grabs more pop from the fridge. “I just really hope they don’t fuck up his face.”

I roll my eyes. “Will you stop saying that? You’re making me nervous.”

She pouts and I can’t stay mad at her for long. I really just want this to be over. But we’re the ones who chose to do this and sneak around. We have to face up to it.

If my family doesn’t like it, then I don’t know what I’ll do. They’re everything to me. Suddenly, it all hits me at once. What if they reject Hudson? What if they make me choose?

I swallow back tears, then I feel Eden squeeze my hand. “It’s okay, Georgia-Blue, we’ve got your back, and I know Brook and Beau will have Hudson’s, you’ll see.”

I smile, trying not to show how worried I really am. “I know.” I wish I sounded more believable.

“When is Hudson telling them?” Autumn asks.

I roll my wrist to check my watch. “Uh, right about now.”

Her eyes go round again. “Well, I’m sure we’ll hear about it soon enough.”

Funny, that’s exactly the thing I’m worried about.