Chapter 16
Chapter Sixteen
LILY
The music pulses through the lake house walls as Hudson and I navigate down the narrow staircase; his fingers intertwine with mine. My legs are still shaky, and I’m grateful for his steady presence in front of me. We’re halfway down when I spot a familiar face at the landing.
Matt.
I should have known we might run into him after that stupid text.
He’s leaning against the banister with a voluptuous brunette pressed against him.
It takes me a moment to recognize her, but when Laura tosses her head back and laughs at whatever it is Matt just said, my lip almost curls.
Not only does she act like I don’t exist, now she’s hooking up with him?
Whatever. Maybe he’ll be too distracted to notice us.
But alas, luck has never been my friend.
Matt glances over, eyes locking onto mine briefly then traveling down to where Hudson’s holding my hand before taking in my disheveled hair and flushed cheeks. My lips are probably swollen and red too.
His lips curl into a sneer. “Are you fucking kidding me?”
Hudson’s grip on my hand tightens, his body tensing beside me, protective energy radiating off him.
“Didn’t take you long to spread your legs for someone new, did it?” Matt raises his voice, making several heads swivel in our direction exactly like he wanted. A scene and demeaning me, his favorite pastime. “I always knew you were a whore, Lily. Just didn’t think you’d make it this obvious.”
While I’ve hardened myself to his insults, the words still slap me in the face.
Heat floods my cheeks, though not the good kind from moments ago, instead, it’s the burning shame that Matt always seemed to excel at creating.
No matter how hard I’ve hardened myself to him, he always finds a way to stab at my vulnerabilities.
Hudson drops my hand.
Before I can even process what’s happening, he closes the gap and his fist connects with Matt’s jaw. Matt stumbles backward before catching himself with a shouted, “What the fuck, Hudson!”
“Jesus Christ!” someone shouts nearby.
Surprised yells erupt from the partygoers who witnessed the whole thing. Matt touches his lip, fingers coming away red with blood. The split at the corner of his mouth makes him look even more pathetic than usual.
“Get out.” Hudson’s voice is steel. Hard, unforgiving. Final. I’ve never heard him so angry. “Now.”
Matt glares up at us, dabbing at his bleeding lip.
He looks between Hudson’s imposing frame and the faces that have started gathering at the bottom of the stairs.
I catch sight of Aspen and Callie pushing through the crowd, their faces etched with concern.
Behind them, Cole’s black hair catches the light as he moves forward with Gage.
The Williams brothers follow in their wake like some kind of protective army coming to save the day.
Matt seems to realize he’s severely outnumbered. Laura crosses her arms and huffs. “Are you seriously going to let him hit you like that?”
“Shut up.” Matt spits blood onto the hardwood floor. “You think these guys actually give a shit about you? You’re just another easy lay to them,” he tells me.
The venom in his voice makes my chest tighten, but before I can respond, he’s already pushing past the crowd toward the front door. Laura scowls at me then stomps after him.
Good fucking luck, bitch.
The tension in the air slowly dissipates as people return to their conversations, though I catch several curious glances thrown our way. Hudson turns back to me, his knuckles slightly swollen but his expression softer now.
“Why did you do that?” The words tumble out of my mouth before I can stop them.
“He doesn’t get to insult you.”
Warmth spreads through my chest again, wrapping around me like a blanket on a cold night. I hold my hand out to him. He takes it without question, helping me navigate the rest of the stairs. His touch is grounding and reminds me that not all men are like Matt.
“Oh my god, are you okay?” Aspen reaches us first. Her teacher instincts kick in immediately. She scans me for injuries like I’m one of her students who took a tumble on the playground.
“What happened?” Callie’s hazel eyes flash with concern.
“Matt,” I say with a heavy sigh. “The usual insults.”
“I’ll be right back.” Hudson kisses the back of my hand then moves toward Cole and Gage, falling into a hushed conversation. The guys all look furious. It’s nice to know that they’re on my side.
Aspen wraps her arm around my shoulders. “He’s a terrible human.”
“The worst.” I attempt a laugh, but it comes out hollow. “God, I hate that he can still get under my skin like that.”
“He’s always been a toxic asshole.” Callie’s voice drips with disdain.
“The man was a walking red flag factory.” Aspen squeezes my shoulder. “I’m glad Hudson was there to defend you.”
I glance over at Hudson, who’s still deep in conversation with the guys. The protective way he’d stepped up, no hesitation—it’s everything I’ve always wanted. A place to belong and feel protected. How did I spend so much time with someone who made me feel small when men like these exist?
“Now that I know what good men look like,” I murmur, watching Hudson’s profile, “I hate that I wasted so much time on Matt.”
“Hey.” Callie grabs my chin, forcing me to look at her. “You didn’t waste anything. You learned what you don’t want. That’s valuable too.” She had a pretty horrible ex too, so I trust her on this.
“Good point.”
Hudson returns to my side, slipping his hand back into mine like it belongs there. The simple gesture sends relief flooding through me.
“Everything okay?” His thumb brushes across my knuckles.
I nod, leaning into his solid warmth. Being protected, wanted, craved. Kept safe? It’s the best feeling in the world, and I’ll give up anything to hold on to it.