The song changes back to an upbeat tempo, and I’m surprised when Hudson doesn’t let go. My heart is acting like a caged animal in my chest, thundering to be released, to be given to the man who is holding me. Taking a chance, I look up at him, and I find his gaze already laser-focused on me.
“Riley” He doesn’t get to finish when Jacob steps next to me, putting his arm around my waist and pulling me into his side, which leaves Hudson no choice but to let me go.
“My turn.” Jacob laces his fingers through mine and spins me out away from him before pulling me back in. He’s smiling like a mad man, and I can’t help but laugh with him. We spend the entirety of the song performing silly outlandish dance moves. I’m laughing so hard by the end of the song, I know it’s time for a break. I need to use the restroom before I pee my pants, and I could use a drink.
“I have to pee.” I laugh. Sure, not the most eloquent way to say it, but it’s a fact, and Jacob is a friend. “And a drink.”
He smiles, his brown eyes sparkling. “Beer?”
“That would be great. I’ll meet you back at the table.” With a nod, he starts toward the bar while I make my way to the bathrooms. I quickly take care of business and wash my hands, taking the wet towel and dabbing my forehead and the back of my neck. I’m sweating up a storm from all the dancing.
Tossing the towel in the trash, I pull open the bathroom door, only to find Hudson leaning against the wall. He has a foot propped up on the wall behind him, and his hands shoved into his faded blue jeans. Faded blue jeans that fit like they were made especially for him.
“Hey.” I smile brightly.
“Riley.” His deep gruff voice greets me.
“What’s up?”
He opens his mouth to speak, but Jacob appears. “There you are. I thought maybe you were abducted.” He grins, handing me my beer. He looks between Hudson and me, and his grin grows wider. “You need to drink that. I have more dance moves I need to show off.” He slides his arm around my shoulder and pulls me into his chest.
I hold up my bottle of beer to keep it from sloshing all over both of us. “I think I’m going to sit this one out,” I tell him.
“Riiilleeyyy,” he groans. “This is our moment. Our time to shine. We’ve got this.”
I’m sputtering with laughter. “Fine. Lead the way,” I concede.
“You coming?” Jacob asks Hudson.
I don’t turn to look at him. Instead, I take the coward’s way out, bring my beer to my lips, and take a long pull. My gaze stares down the hall at nothing, but I make it seem interesting.
“Yeah. I’m right behind you.” Hudson’s voice is gruff and, if I’m not mistaken, a little agitated. I have no idea what he was about to say, but I can only guess. He’s sorry for the way we were dancing, and it shouldn’t have happened. That’s my guess, and I can’t take his rejection. Not tonight. Not with the feel of his body pressed to mine still at the forefront of my mind.
Jacob pulls me out on the dance floor, and with our beers in hand, we shake what our mothers gave us. We take turns making stupid dance moves. As one song leads into another, Darcey, April, and Raven all join us. We form a small circle around Jacob, and he thrusts his hips as if he’s auditioning for Magic Mike. He’s gorgeous with sandy blond hair and big brown eyes, but he’s not Hudson.
Pushing thoughts of Hudson out of my mind, I pull my attention back to my friends and my sister as we all laugh and have a good time. Clayton joins us, bringing us each a beer before sliding his arms around my sister's waist and grinding his hips into hers.
These two have danced around each other for years, no pun intended. Neither one of them will admit that there could be something incredible between them. We all know they’re both interested. We all know that would be couples’ goals for the rest of us. However, Clayton leaves soon. He’s going on a mission that will pull him away from our small little town for two years.
Raven is torn up about it, but she refuses to talk about it. Clayton being gone isn’t going to change her feelings for him, though. I just hope that they can work it out. It would be great if it was before he left, but I’m guessing that’s not going to happen.
Eventually, we all need a breather and head back to the table. Bruce, Brett, and Hudson are deep in conversation. Hudson catches my eye, and the corner of his mouth tilts in a grin. I trip over my own feet, pushing into the chair I was about to sit in.
“Whoa, you good?” Raven asks.
“I’m fine.” If you don’t count embarrassment. “I think I’m going to head home.”
“You can’t drive.” Raven gives me a stern look.
“I know that. I’ll leave my car here and just walk. It’s a few blocks. I can manage.” I bought my small little two-bedroom house two years ago. It’s in town, which isn’t ideal, but it was in my price range, and I get to call it my own. Besides, it’s really convenient for nights like tonight, even though they don’t happen often.
“You can’t walk home alone at this hour,” Clayton says.
“He’s right,” Jacob echoes.
“One of us will drive you,” Bruce tells me.
“What they said,” Brett chimes in.
“You’ve all been drinking too.” I point at the beer bottles scattered around the table.
“I’ve only had two,” Clayton speaks up. “And that was as soon as we got here. I was planning on driving everyone home.”
“Water.” Hudson holds up his now empty water bottle. “I’ve got you all,” he tells them.
“I’m staying at April’s,” Darcey speaks up. “That’s literally around the corner.”
“We’re still going to walk you.” Bruce leaves no room for negotiation, causing April and Darcey both to roll their eyes.
These guys are a great group. They’re a blast to be around, and they’re protective of us all. That’s why letting go with them is easy. I know I’m in good hands. That we all are. Hell, there are nights it’s us girls who are taking care of them. That’s just what you do for your friends.
“I’ll take Raven to her place,” Clayton speaks up. “You guys walk April and Darcey home, and I’ll swing back to get you. Hudson, you drop Riley off at hers since you’re going that way.”
I open my mouth to protest, but when Hudson stands and leans in close, he whispers, “I’ve got you, Riley.” It’s all I can do not to melt into a puddle on the floor.
I finish off my beer for that last little bit of liquid courage and make eye contact with my sister. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Ugh. We should have waited to do this tomorrow night.”
She’s right. We should have, but what’s done is done. I move around the table, passing out hugs to everyone before stopping on the other side of Hudson. I could feel his eyes on me the entire trip around the table, but I chose to ignore him. I had to, or our friends, and my sister, his best friend, would see right through me. Hell, I’m not sure they don’t already after tonight.
“Ready?” I ask Hudson, way too chipper for my current mood.
Fake it until you make it, right?