29. Mason

TWENTY-NINE

Mason

I catch the door as Hudson hurries to get out of my house, my stomach churning. Talk about "breaking" it to the guy.

This is not what I had in mind for the reveal, and I know Bridget is freaking out. I mean, the guy's her brother, and she just got back into town.

Hudson usually seems so level-headed about things, too. I'm surprised that he's taking the news this hard.

Still, I'm sure it doesn't feel good to be kept in the dark.

"Hudson, please wait."

His steps freeze, and I watch him take a deep breath, his back to me and the tree swaying in the breeze in the distance.

"How long, Mason? How long have you been fucking my sister?"

The words hit me like a slap, and it takes everything to keep my cool. He's just pissed. Come on. Be the bigger person.

"A few weeks. We both tried to ignore our feelings for a while, but we just couldn't."

Hudson whips around to face me, the anger on his face unmistakable and thickening the air with an invisible tension.

"So, what? You just jumped right into bed with her? I know she hasn't said much, but I know Bridget is coming off a bad relationship. If you think I'm going to?—"

"Hey," I raise my hands in surrender, "I know she's dealing with a shitty ex. I'm not here to be that guy. Honestly, I'm surprised you didn't notice more earlier. I've had a thing for Bridget since we were teens."

Jaw dropping, Hudson stares at me before crossing his arms over his chest. "Explain."

I sigh. I never thought I'd have to give up the details about that night to anyone, let alone Hudson, but here we are.

"Five years ago, before she left with Jai. Bridget and I…almost had something. It was a party you were throwing, and we both got a little drunk. We kissed, fooled around some, but we both put on the breaks before it went farther."

Hudson looks beyond shocked, and since he's being so quiet, I take the opportunity to come completely clean.

"I didn't say anything to her about it afterward, I wanted to pretend like it didn't happen because I was embarrassed and…well, I was fucking scared. I didn't know what it meant to be attracted to her, and I couldn't see how that was supposed to play out."

Giving me the space to continue, Hudson blinks slowly, his jaw working as he clenches it tightly.

"I was a coward who couldn't say how he was feeling, and I lost my chance with Bridget back then because of it. She met Jai, and because I still hadn't said anything to her, she chose to go with him. Biggest regret of my fucking life."

Hudson scoffs. "Your regret? Imagine how Bridget feels. It's clear that Jai was more than just a dick, but she won't open up about it."

"I know. I hate the fact that my cowardice is part of what got Bridget into that situation. Trust me. It's been on my mind constantly because I can tell she's still carrying a lot of shit because of him. She's…scared."

My best friend since childhood relaxes and sighs. As I let the silence sit for a moment, my head is overflowing with all the things I want to say and they all get caught on my tongue.

"Mason, I…you have to understand why I'm concerned. Bridget just dealt with a guy who treated her poorly. I can't let that happen again."

The insinuation isn't rude, and I'm not angry with Hudson for wanting to protect his sister.

Still, something about the words finally gets me talking again, my feelings now bleeding out of me in a stream of conscious ramble that I couldn't stop if I wanted to.

"I would never hurt Bridget. She means the world to me. After the fire, when I wasn't sure what was happening, all I wanted was to make it back to her and Mia. They're my entire life. Being with Bridget is all I ever wanted, and when I couldn't have it, I settled for someone who didn't truly make me happy."

My shoulders slump, and truth bubbles up to the surface and spills over.

"Part of me did love Jess, but I've never loved anyone the way I do Bridget. She's it. I've known for ages, and I just want to start the life with her that should have begun five years ago. I want to ease her aches and keep her safe. I want to show her every day that she's loved and appreciated for exactly who she is. I want to know that she never feels alone and hurt ever again because I'm there to keep her smiling. I want her to be the mother for Mia that my daughter should have. I want to spend the rest of my life with Bridget."

There's a pregnant pause, and I'm left feeling a bit hollowed out from the confession. It's not an unpleasant sensation, though.

I'm glad that I finally said all the things that have been rolling around in my head since the day of the fire, and if the first person who gets to hear it is Hudson, well, I just hope that it shows him how serious I am.

When Hudson still hasn't said anything, I look up at him. Shocked is clearly an understatement, and I have to fight back a laugh, thanks to his flabbergasted expression.

"You love her?" he finally says.

"I do. I know that it might sound fast, but it's not really. Not when you consider all of it."

He regards me, looking for even the smallest nugget of deception. I know he won't find it. I'm not lying.

"Well, shit." He scoffs lightly, and it blends into a little chuckle. "Bridget is a grown woman who can make her own choices. I'm not about to pretend like what I think matters for a second. But…"

Hudson walks toward me, and I tense up, unsure what he's going for.

But then he extends his hand with a grin, and I take it, shaking a few times before he pulls me in for a hug.

"If there's anyone I trust with my sister's happiness, it's you."

Relief coats me in warmth, and I sag against Hudson for a moment and then pull back.

As I smile at him, I lock eyes with my best friend. "I promise I'll treat her right."

"You better. Or I'll kill you." He shakes his head, and we laugh in unison. "But really, though? My sister? What are the odds?"

"I don't know what to tell you." I shrug. "She's end game. I never thought I would see the day when I finally stopped waiting around for her and got the girl. But I am beyond thrilled that life has given me this chance."

"Life is pretty weird sometimes." Hudson nods, and then I gesture for the door.

"Do you want to go in? Talk to her?"

With an easy grin, Hudson steps forward. "Yeah, of course."

I follow behind him as Hudson walks into the house and to the living room. Mia is there with Bridget, and as soon as the door closes behind me, Bridget looks over at us.

Standing up, Bridget faces her brother. "Hudson, look, I'm really?—"

But her words are cut off as Hudson walks straight up to her and wraps her in a hug. The two of them stand there for a moment, and I can see Bridget visibly relax in his arms.

When Hudson steps back, he puts his hands on either one of Bridget's shoulders and levels her with a stern look.

"Are you happy? Finally?"

Bridget nods, a smile creeping up on the corner of her mouth as her eyes go glossy from the unshed tears. "I am. Finally."

With a single nod, Hudson cracks a grin. "Well, that's that then."

Looking a bit surprised, Bridget perks up, a tear slipping free. "Really?"

"Look, I won't lie. It's a little weird knowing you're seeing my best friend, but if it's what you want, I won't stand in your way." Hudson sighs, lifting one shoulder just to drop it. "You've been through a lot, Sis. I can tell. I just want you to be happy. That's what I've always wanted. And I can tell this one really cares about you."

Hudson gestures back at me with his thumb as he speaks, and I meet Bridget's gaze when she looks over, nodding and hoping that my eyes can tell her everything wordlessly.

She smiles brighter, pulling Hudson in for another hug.

Seeing them like this makes the dread I had over telling him melt away, and I'm weirdly glad the bandaid was just ripped off like that.

Better to get it over with, right? I laugh to myself.

As they separate, I walk over, clapping Hudson on the shoulder. "Well, you're welcome to stay and plan that play date?"

Hudson chuckles, rolling his eyes. "I think I'll just give you guys a minute. You can text me."

I nod back at him, pulling Bridget under my arm. "Fair enough."

"Thank you, Hudson. Really." Bridget smiles at him as she leans into my side.

He waves her off. "Ah, it's nothing. But I'm going to go before the PDA ticks up to a level I'm not comfortable with."

Bridget and I laugh, and I step away from her, putting my hand on Hudson's back. "I'll walk you out."

Hudson gives Bridget a quick pat on the arm, and then we're heading to the door.

As I pull the door back open and pause there to say goodbye to Hudson, he looks down at the floor and then back up at me.

"I'm not trying to push, but if you figure out what happened with her and Jai, will you let me know?"

My brows raise as I see the obvious worry on Hudson's face.

"Bridget isn't big on talking about it with me either. But I think knowing that you're okay with all this will help. If she opens up, I'll encourage her to talk to you, too. Okay?"

He nods. "Yeah, thanks."

"Of course."

We give each other a quick hug, and I watch Hudson walk back over to his car, where it's parked in my long driveway. He gets in, and we wave as he reverses and then takes off for his place.

I'm about to go back inside when I notice another car parked a little way down the road. This isn't what you'd called a busy highway, and my house is outside the town proper, so there isn't a reason for anyone to just be parked nearby.

Unease ripples across my skin, and I stand there at the door, peering at the all-black sedan. I can't see inside. The windows are tinted, and it's a bit too far away, anyway.

It's just odd to see a car sitting there.

I've had people use my driveway to turn around and get back to town since I moved out here, but not a lot of actually stopping and parking.

Are they lost?

Part of me wants to buy that, believing that whoever is in there is checking a map or looking at their phone.

Still, it doesn't sit right. They've clearly been there for a while. It feels like I'm being paranoid, but I almost recognize the car.

That's ridiculous, though. And it's not like it's a particularly unique model. Just a black sedan.

I shake myself, reminding myself that the car is on public property up the road, and I have no reason to be concerned. I'll check back in a bit, in any case.

Going back inside, I shut the door and turn over the lock, that feeling of being watched sticking around.