Chapter 14

DIANA

Istepped out of the school building, looking forward to our weekly trip out to the flats. Yes, it always left my brain just a little scrambled, but the fun was well worth it. It was a chance to be free.

Rachel walked out beside me. We quickly spotted Troy's truck. He was leaning against the bumper, talking to Hudson.

"What's going on?" Rachel asked.

"I have no idea," I replied, surprised to see Hudson.

It had been a couple of days since the morning of the worst hangover ever. Hudson had texted me once to make sure I was okay and that was it. I figured I probably scared the guy away talking about Machu Picchu.

Rachel and I walked over to them.

"Hi." Hudson smiled, his thumbs hooked in the front pocket of his jeans as he casually leaned against the truck. He looked like a GQ model but it was all natural for him. He didn't have to try and look sexy. He just was.

My heart skipped a beat. A smile spread across my face, unable to hide the joy I felt just seeing him.

"Troy invited me to go out with you guys," he said.

"We're going to show him how we do it in a small town," Troy said.

"Do you drive a truck?" Hudson asked Rachel.

She laughed and shook her head. "No. You saw my car and how well it handles mud."

"So how does this work?" he asked.

"I'm not riding in the back of the truck," Rachel said.

Troy looked at me. I knew exactly what he was asking. With a shrug and a grin, I climbed into the bed.

"You're riding in the back?" Hudson asked with disbelief. "Is that safe? Legal?"

Troy laughed. "No one is going to bust us. I'll drive slow."

Hudson looked at me and shrugged his shoulders. "When in Rome, I guess."

He easily vaulted himself up and over the side of the truck. Rachel winked at me before getting in the cab. She was a great wing-woman, happy to give us some space.

Hudson and I sat back against the back of the truck, our legs stretched out in front of us.

"I'm guessing you've never done this before," I said as Troy began to drive.

"Definitely not," Hudson answered.

Hudson reached out and gripped the side of the truck bed at the first bump in the dirt road. I couldn't suppress my laughter at his expression.

"You'd better hold on to your panties if you think this is bumpy," I teased, my laughter mingling with the roar of the engine as we sped along the road.

We bounced along. Troy was going more slowly than normal, trying to take it easy, but the road was just bumpy. Hudson shot me a playful glare, but there was a spark of amusement in his eyes as he braced himself for the next jolt. He seemed to be enjoying the ride, his laughter blending with mine as we bounced along.

When we finally reached the flats, Hudson took in the vast expanse of muddy terrain all around us. He looked impressed. The wide-open space stretched as far as the eye could see. Patches of green were surrounded by towering mountains.

"This is incredible," Hudson murmured, his voice filled with wonder as he hopped out of the truck and took in the panoramic view.

"It's what makes our little part of earth a little prettier," I said.

He reached up his hand to help me out of the bed. I felt a swell of pride at sharing this slice of my hometown with him. The flats were a special place to the locals. The area was a hidden gem tucked away in the heart of Cold Springs. I was thrilled to be able to show it off to Hudson.

It was an especially nice day with very little wind. The weather was perfect. In the distance, Stave Lake glimmered in the sunlight.

"I bet it's a lot different than Manhattan," I said with a laugh.

Hudson chuckled and nodded, his eyes soft as he looked out at the landscape. "It's like a whole other world out here. I feel like I can finally breathe."

There was a hint of vulnerability in his voice as he spoke. I wondered what his story was. He was here for a reason. I suspected he was running from something. Hopefully not the mob or an angry wife.

We stood side by side, taking in the beauty of our surroundings like we were the only two people out here. For a moment, it felt like we were, and time stood still.

I took a deep breath, relishing the familiar scent of mud and grass mingled with the distant aroma of wood smoke from a bonfire.

A couple of kids went zooming by on dirt bikes and ATVs. Hudson glanced at me, eyebrows raised.

"This is a very popular hangout," I said.

"You grew up doing this?"

I nodded. "Sure did."

"This place is incredible," he said again. "I don't even know what to say."

"There's nothing quite like it."

I quickly put my hair up, getting ready for some fun.

Troy walked up, grinning. "So, who's up for a race?"

"Count me in," I said.

Hudson looked intrigued but uncertain. "I'm not sure I'm cut out for off-roading."

I playfully nudged him. "Nonsense. You'll love it. Troy, take him first. I'll wait."

Hudson hesitated for a moment before shrugging and getting in the truck. Troy started it and Hudson gave me a last look. Rachel and I watched with amusement as they sped off into the distance, kicking mud up.

"Think he's going to panic?" Rachel asked.

I shook my head, grinning. "He'll be just fine. Hudson might surprise us all."

Rachel and I watched as the trucks bounced over the hills and ruts. The occasional whoops of excitement told us that Hudson was indeed enjoying his first off-road adventure.

Troy and Hudson returned, both sporting wide grins. Hudson's eyes sparkled with exhilaration as he hopped out of the truck, a mixture of adrenaline and dust clinging to his clothes.

"That was amazing!" Hudson exclaimed.

"See? I told you you'd love it," I said.

"You were right," he admitted.

"Let's go see who's here," Troy said. "Unless you want to go for a ride?"

"I'm good," I said.

I was just happy to have him there.

As the evening progressed, the flats became a hive of activity, with more and more people arriving to join in the fun. Families, young people and even the older crowd were showing up to take advantage of the good weather.

"Is this a community thing?" Hudson asked.

"Yeah, kind of," I said as we walked. "It's old-school fun. Everyone helps everyone. If someone gets stuck or rolls their truck, everyone jumps in. We pull each other out. Most of these guys are trained in first-aid."

"Are there a lot of accidents?"

"Just minor stuff usually." I shrugged. "A few broken bones but nothing major."

As we strolled, I pointed out different groups of people gathered around bonfires, grilling food, or tinkering with their vehicles. Hudson soaked it all in like he was an astronaut visiting another planet.

I introduced him to some of my friends. They welcomed him with open arms, sharing stories and jokes as if he had been a part of our close-knit community for years. He fit right in, just like he did at the pool hall.

We found a spot to sit down on a couple of rocks a bit away from the fire. Rachel and Troy were talking with some other people.

"Thanks for letting me crash your party," he said.

"I'm so glad you can be here. How's the hotel?"

"Actually, I just rented a house today," he said.

When he told me what house he rented, I was surprised. I knew how much that thing cost. It was another part of the puzzle that was Hudson.

I jumped up when I saw Abigail and Jessie, and I waved them over. "Guys!"

My brother and sister joined us.

"Guys, this is Hudson," I introduced.

"Hey, Hudson," Jessie said with a laugh. The two of them did the bro hug and knuckle bump. "You know Diana?"

"You know Hudson?" I asked, eyes wide.

"We met the other day," Jessie said. "We're old pals. Will you help me grab the cooler?" he asked Hudson.

"Absolutely," Hudson said.

Cooler meant beer. The dangers of mixing alcohol with off-roading were very real, but I was hesitant to spoil the mood by laying down the law. I would just keep a close eye on the drivers and make sure no one did anything too stupid. Or at least no one I cared about.

"I got the job," Abigail said, jumping up and down.

"You did!"

She grinned. "I did."

Hudson and Jessie came back, each of them carrying a beer in one hand and holding one side of the cooler with the other. They were both smiling and looked very happy. I was surprised to see Jessie had befriended Hudson so quickly. I wondered what that dynamic was all about.

"Want to go for another ride?" Troy asked Hudson. "You haven't been through it unless you've ridden with Ricky."

"No," I said, shaking my head. "Ricky is a wild man. He wins most of the races because he has some kind of death wish."

Hudson finished his beer in one gulp. "Let's do it."

"Troy," I said.

Jessie laughed. "Just remember to keep your teeth clenched together."

"Why?" Hudson asked.

"To keep from biting your tongue."

That gave Hudson pause. Then he grinned and gave a thumbs-up. "Noted."

"Jessie," I scolded. "Why would you do that? He's going to be so sore tomorrow."

"He's going to love it," Jessie said with a mischievous smile. "Man hasn't really been off-roading unless he's done it with Ricky."

I rolled my eyes. Troy led Hudson toward Ricky's monstrous off-road vehicle, a beast of a machine with massive wheels and a roaring engine. As they climbed in, unease settled in the pit of my stomach. I watched as the vehicle sped off into the distance.

Everyone watched as the new guy climbed into Ricky's truck. Every single one of us, at least those of us that weren't old enough to know better or young enough to have parents that knew better, had been on a ride with Ricky.

They disappeared into the night, the only indication of their whereabouts being the distant roar of Ricky's engine. Minutes turned into what felt like hours before we finally caught sight of Ricky's truck racing back toward us. The headlights illuminated their faces, and I could see the exhilaration written all over Hudson's expression. He climbed out of the truck, buzzing with energy.

"That was insane!" Hudson exclaimed, his eyes wide with excitement. "I've never experienced anything like that before. I'm pretty sure part of my spine has shifted and my insides are jumbled, but holy shit!"

"Told you he'd love it," Jessie said, patting Hudson on the back. "Good man."

Troy chuckled. "Ricky sure knows how to give a good ride."

"Beer?" Jessie asked Hudson.

"Please." Hudson nodded.

Jessie passed Hudson a cold beer from the cooler, and we all settled around the fire pit. The crackling flames cast flickering shadows on our faces. The night air was cool, but the fire kept us warm as we shared stories and laughed together. Hudson fit right in with our group, his easy smile and adventurous spirit blending seamlessly with our dynamic.

We took turns recounting heart-pounding moments, near misses, and triumphs behind the wheel. Hudson listened intently, his eyes shining.

As it normally went, everyone kind of came and went, moving between various groups, talking and laughing. Jessie led Hudson over to meet some of the guys. I glanced over at him, admiring his beauty. I wondered what might happen if I got the chance to be alone with him while I was sober.

At one point, he looked at me. His gaze locked on mine before he jerked his head toward the darkness. I understood what he was saying.

Before I could overthink it, I got up and followed him away from the crowd. I told myself it was just the chance to kiss him again. Nothing would happen with so many people around. Although I knew damn well there was plenty of sex that happened in the shadows out here. It was kind of a known hookup place.

Hudson reached for my hand and pulled me further into the darkness.