“Maybe he wasn’t blowing her off and just had places to be.”
The words fly from my mouth before can I clip their wings. Hudson stops and stares at me, curiosity clear in his gaze. He squints, the action minimal and barely noticeable.
“That could be the case.” He pauses, cocking his head to the side. “You’re defensive, why?”
I shrug. “No reason. I just know it’s not always the case.” I relax my stance, throwing just the right amount of flippancy into my words. “Playing devil’s advocate, ya know.”
“Sure.” Hudson gives me another odd glance and continues his walk back to his office.
“Smooth,” Maddox says quietly as he passes me.
I glare at the back of his head, trying to talk myself out of throwing something at him. I’m almost there, almost calm, when my pocket buzzes.
Scowling, I reach in and grab my phone, staring at the screen in bewilderment.
Unknown: Are you busy tonight?
Everything in me screams it must be Haley texting me, but I have to ask.
Me: Who is this?
Unknown: Haley. Are you busy tonight?
Me: Why?
Unknown: Curiosity and all that. Now, ARE YOU BUSY TONIGHT?
She’s bossy, straight to the point. I like it.
Me: I deliver pizzas at Harold’s weeknights. My shift ends at 9:30. Why?
Unknown: Good. I’ll unlock the door at 9:59, not a minute before or after. Be here at 10. Don’t knock.
What the…?
“Dude, you okay?” Tucker asks.
I lift my head and blink twice. “Uh…yeah.” Clearing my throat, I start over. “Yeah, I’m good, man.”
“You sure? Because you look a little constipated.”
“As much as I appreciate the checkup on my bowels, I’m good.”
Tuck shrugs and continues on his way.
I look back down at my phone, overwhelmed with confusion. Who in the hell justinstructsa virtual stranger to come to their house? And to not knock? Is this a booty call?This is a fucking booty call.
What in the actual fuck?
I don’t respond to her text, shoving my phone back into my pocket right along with my thoughts of even considering going. I’m not going. I can’t go. I won’t go. I don’t know this girl. I’m not looking for anything even resembling a relationship right now. That’s the furthest thing from my mind, and if I’m honest, I’m taking what Benny said this morning to heart. I’mnotthe guy I was before. That guy was impulsive, immature, and had no regard for the feelings of others. The man I am today is careful, wiser, and takes others’ feelings into account well before his own.
And right now I have four other people to put in front of myself and anyone else, including a booty call I desperately need.
I’m not going.
I can’t.
I won’t.
