Chapter 41 HUDSON
HUDSON
Ihauled my overnight bag higher on my shoulder, already questioning my and Matty’s wedding planner choices.
Rowan had insisted—insisted—that I spend the night before the wedding at his place.
Something about tradition, bad luck, and how he would not have the first marriage he officiated in Bristlecone Springs cursed by groomly desperation. His words, not mine.
Beside me, Matty strolled like he had nothing to worry about, one hand in his pocket, the other brushing against mine every so often like he knew I was two seconds away from bolting. He’d been more at ease since we’d been informed Grant was in custody.
“This is ridiculous,” I muttered, shifting the bag again. “One night apart. Just one. We spend every night together, and suddenly it’s forbidden? How does that make any sense?”
Matty chuckled, that low rumble that always managed to steady me. “It’s called tradition, Hud. You’ll live.”
“Hah! You’re funny, thinking you’ll last longer. I bet by midnight, you’ll be ringing me up for a booty call.”
He shot me a sideways grin. “And you better pick up too.” He squeezed my ass. “It’s not my fault you’re so bootlicious.”
I scowled at him. “Don’t you ever say that again.”
Laughing, he pushed the doors open to Knot Your Average Wedding, stealing a kiss and nudging me to walk in ahead of him.
Rowan met us in the waiting area, eyeing us suspiciously.
Today he was wearing a lavender beret tipped at a jaunty angle, a fuzzy cardigan the shade of lilacs, and a pleated plaid skirt cinched with a belt of heart-shaped clasps.
White knee-high socks with ruffles and chunky platform Mary Janes—each stamped with a pink heart—finished the look.
I could never pull off an outfit like that, but he looked stunning. If he kept it up, he wouldn’t have to worry about half the eligible bachelors of Bristlecone Springs running away whenever they saw him coming.
“About time,” he said, his sharp gaze snapping straight to the bag slung over my shoulder. “Packed and ready? We already have the suit and shoes at my place. Do you have proper grooming supplies? Tell me you didn’t just toss in a toothbrush and call it a day.”
“This bag’s bigger than the one I have packed for our honeymoon,” I said. “I added everything on that list you gave me. Thank God for Ozzie because I didn’t know what some of them meant.”
“All right, then. You”—he pointed at Matty—“shoo! We’ll see you tomorrow at the end of the aisle.”
I frowned. “I still don’t see why I have to be the one to walk down the aisle. Can’t we both just stand there in the first place?”
“Because, boo, nothing beats an entrance, and that’s gonna be you.”
“I don’t mind being the one to walk if you don’t want to,” Matty said.
“If one of us is walking down the aisle, it’s gonna be me.”
He threw his hands up. “Then why are we even talking about this?”
“Gentlemen, save the bickering for the honeymoon when you can argue, then grind. Makes for some hot sex, but as of right now, you two are celibate, so keep it zipped. Both the lips and your jeans.”
“Yes, sir.” Matty took a step back. “I guess that’s my cue to go.”
“Without kissing me?” I blurted out, then instantly regretted it when he grinned. Oh God, when had I become so desperate for this man’s kisses?
“Thought you’d never ask.”
Matty closed the gap between us and took my face in his hands.
I expected a quick kiss good-bye, but he had other ideas, kissing me so hard and deep my knees nearly buckled.
His mouth was hot and greedy, his tongue sweeping mine, spreading coals of fire through my veins.
My hands clamped down on his waist, desperate, holding him tight as if letting go would mean falling apart.
When he finally pulled back, my chest was heaving and my pulse hammering out of control.
Rowan fanned himself dramatically, eyes wide. “Good Lord. If I were any closer, I’d have gone up in flames. That was hot.”
Matty chuckled, but I was still catching my breath, trying to decide whether I wanted to drag him back in for more or beg Rowan to lock us in together so I wouldn’t have to leave him tonight.
I stopped dead and pulled him close, ignoring Rowan’s exaggerated sigh from the doorway. I framed Matty’s face, brushing the corner of his mouth with my thumb. “Tomorrow,” I whispered, like the word itself was a lifeline.
His eyes softened, shining in the glow of the lights. “Tomorrow,” he echoed.
“I’m too jealous for this.” Rowan grabbed my arm and pulled me away from Matty. “At least wait until tomorrow for me to send you off in style before I wallow in a tub of ice cream about my sad, lonely life.”
Chuckling, Matty walked out with a promise to call me later.
When he was gone, I turned to Rowan and glared.
“If I’m a pain in the ass tonight, it’s your fault.
I could be walking down the aisle tomorrow with a blissful grin on my face caused by that man.
Instead, I’ll go down the aisle with blue balls! ”
“Such a drama queen.” Rowan flipped his hair. “I’m doing this for your own good. Make him wait a little, and he won’t be able to take his hands off you on your honeymoon.”
“We don’t need a honeymoon for that. He already can’t keep his hands off me.”
“Now you’re just bragging. You make me sick.”
I couldn’t help my grin. In the past four weeks of his planning our wedding, we’d grown closer to him and become more acquainted with his antics.
But truly, he was one of our biggest supporters, insisting that he throw us the best wedding money could buy with just four weeks to plan.
Matty and I would never have been able to pull off this wedding without him.
“You know, this isn’t exactly the attitude we expect from our wedding planner,” I teased.
“Bite me.”
Rowan’s guest bedroom was all sleek lines and lavender linen, smelling faintly of sandalwood. I sat propped against a ridiculous pile of pillows, phone in hand, grinning like an idiot at the screen.
Hudson: Rowan’s home is really nice.
Hudson: He made me get a massage. Said it was his gift to me for our wedding.
A bubble popped up almost instantly.
Matty: Excuse me? Where’s my wedding gift?
I snorted, typing fast.
Hudson: Perks are for the one walking down the aisle.
Matty sent back a furious red-faced emoji. I barked a laugh, muffling it in the pillows.
A knock startled me, and I shoved my phone under the blanket like a guilty teenager. “Come in.”
The door opened, and Rowan leaned against the frame, one perfectly arched brow raised. “Don’t even hide it. I could hear you tapping on that phone a mile away.” He stepped in, arms crossed, his usual sparkle softened by the low light. “So. How’re you feeling about your big day?”
I shrugged, suddenly sheepish. “Excited. Nervous. Like I’m about to explode out of my skin.”
Rowan smiled faintly, then sat at the edge of the bed, his voice gentler than I’d ever heard it. “You know, you’re lucky. Not everyone gets to marry the love of their life. Some relationships…” His gaze drifted, unfocused. “Some of them end in bruises, hospitals, prison cells.”
A shadow passed over his face, and for a second, I swore I saw a crack in his usual peppy armor. My chest tightened. “Rowan—”
He waved me off with a chuckle. “Enough of that. This is your fairytale, not my tragic opera. Get some rest, Hud. Don’t stay up all night texting your fiancé. I want you to look radiant tomorrow.”
I smirked. “Radiant, huh? To be fair, Row, I’ll never look as good as you.”
“Why would you want to look like me? You’re gorgeous in your own skin, and that’s what Matty loves. Everyone needs someone who loves us for who we are.” He rose to his feet. “Now turn that thing off and straight to bed. Beauty sleep is not optional.”
I waited a few minutes after he left, then picked up the phone again, more careful in how hard I tapped the screen.
Hudson: Rowan just threatened me with beauty sleep.
Matty: He’s right. Go to bed. Biggest day of our lives tomorrow.
Hudson: That was the day I met you. I love you.
I set the phone down, determined to sleep. Rowan was right. I wanted to be at my best for our wedding.
The sheets smelled faintly of lavender, the kind of scent meant to calm a person, but my body refused to settle. I closed my eyes and tried anyway, but my thoughts wandered toward Ivy.
I’d spoken to her earlier, and her voice had been bright, practically bubbling through the phone as she gushed about her dress. She couldn’t wait to wear it tomorrow and “Nana” would braid her hair. She’d been on cloud nine, so proud, so certain she’d be the star of tomorrow.
Who would’ve thought? The same woman who once tore Matty and me apart was now helping stitch us back together.
Emma had surprised me more than I cared to admit.
I’d braced myself for sharp edges, for tension when she was around Gray and Ozzie, given she was still technically married to him, but Ozzie had handled it with his usual grace.
Forgiving. Sweet. Always putting others at ease.
Our pre-wedding dinner had gone smoother than I ever expected.
Except for one blip. Carter’s empty chair. No one said a word about it, but his absence pressed like a bruise under the surface.
And then, of course, there were my parents. They wouldn’t be there either. That thought pinched harder than I liked acknowledging. Turned out, I wasn’t ready to let go of that grudge yet. But was this the way I wanted to begin my new life?
I rolled onto my back, staring at the dark ceiling.
It was too late to call them. And even if it wasn’t, did I really want the rough conversation that would surely follow hanging over tomorrow?
No. I couldn’t let it taint the wedding.
That was supposed to be about Matty, me, and our new start.
The past could wait. I’d call them after the honeymoon. Face whatever came then.