“Hudson’s not back yet,” I said, still wound tight. “He was supposed to be working with those idiots today, so where the hell is he? And why the hell are you working him so damn hard lately? He’s killing himself trying to keep up.”
Dad didn’t flinch. “Because he asked for the extra hours. You want me to tell him no when he needs the money for Ivy’s therapy?”
The words landed heavily and cold in my gut. “What?”
“You didn’t know?” Dad’s voice softened a fraction.
“No,” I said flatly. My mind was racing. Hudson, running himself into the ground and not breathing a word to me. Why didn’t he come to me?
Dad put a hand on my shoulder. “Listen to me, son. If you two don’t want to end up back where you were before, you’ve got to talk. Even when it’s hard. Especially then. You can’t keep your mouth shut to keep the peace.”
I stared out toward the pasture, jaw tight. “I didn’t want to start an argument.”
“Arguments are necessary sometimes. Silence isn’t. It’s a slow death for a relationship. Now let’s go find your man.”
We climbed into his truck and took the south road. Didn’t have to go far. My truck, which he’d borrowed from me that morning, was parked in a narrow patch of shade near the old feed shed.
I found him in the bed of my truck, stretched out on his side like he’d lain down for a quick breather and accidentally passed out. Hat tipped low over his face, boots still on.Dust clung to his shirt, and there was a crease on his cheek where it had pressed into the ridged metal.
“Hud?” I shook him gently.
“Huh?” Hudson jerked awake, squinting into the sunlight. “Matt? Gray? Is something wrong?”
I gritted my teeth.
“Glad you’re not facedown in the dirt somewhere, son,” Dad said. “Given you’re fine, I’ll see you both back at the ranch house.”
Dad didn’t wait for a response from either of us. He climbed into his truck and drove off.
Hudson pushed himself upright, rubbing a hand over his face. “I’m so confused. Did something happen? Is it Ivy?”
“Ivy’s fine,” I said quickly as the panic crept over his face. “It’s lunchtime, and you didn’t come in with the others. I was worried about you. Almost broke Warren’s fucking nose.”
“Shit,” he muttered and swung his legs over the side. “Guess I was more tired than I thought. Why did you almost break Warren’s nose?”
“Because he made a wisecrack about you, and I wasn’t standing for it.”
Hudson groaned. “Matt, I already know that the people in town are gossiping about us. Your truck is parked in my driveway every night. You don’t need to punch anyone on my behalf for it.”
I clenched my jaw, watching him, really watching him. The slow movements, the faint shadows under his eyes, the way his shoulders drooped like he’d been carrying weight for miles. He had the grace to look guilty when he noticed my stare.
“Why have you been working so hard?” My voice came out low, sharper than I meant.
He hesitated, then shook his head. “It’s nothing?—”
“Hudson, if we’re going to do this right, you have to talk to me.”
Hudson shifted his weight, gaze darting to the pasture, then coming back to me.
“Ivy’s therapist closed her office,” he said finally, each word slow like it cost him. “She got transferred to a new one, and the new therapist is great, Matt. She comes highly recommended, but she’s double the cost of the last one. I can’t afford it unless I take on more hours. Even then, it’ll be a stretch.”
I stepped between his legs, placed my hands on his thighs, and squeezed. “Why didn’t you come to me?”
“It’s…God, Matty, does it matter?”
“Yes, it does. Tell me the truth. Why won’t you come to me for help?”
“Because I still feel guilty toward you about the past, okay?” His answer came out fast, almost defensive. “What right do I have to expect anything from you? That you even talk to me at all should be good enough. I don’t think I deserve anything from you, but I’m too much of an asshole not to accept your love for the second time. And that’s enough for me.”
