Chapter 3
Three
Cullen
I'm sitting in my lifted Chevy in the school lot, waiting for Hudson. It’s probably a red flag that seeing him first thing feels better than anything I did with Hads yesterday.
Way better than the sex.
When I went to her room, I tried talking to her about everything that went down, but she shut me up by going to her knees. I mean, great tactic because it worked. But I knew it wasn’t about me. It was about control. Now it’s just another problem shoved under the rug.
A sharp knock on the window jerks me from my thoughts.
“Wake up, fucker!” Hudson grins, his all-American, boy-next-door smile lighting up his face.
He has a really nice smile.
I blink and grab my bookbag, then open the door. “I wasn't asleep. Just thinking about yesterday.”
“Crazy, right? Can’t believe you let my sister treat you like that.”
“Don’t gaslight me, Hud. I get that enough from your sister,” I snap, sharper than I mean to. Hudson just blinks at me, and I huff, turning to walk to the school in a tense silence. Once at my locker, I shove my bookbag inside and grab my Calculus book.
Hudson leans against the lockers, arms crossed. “I’m sorry, I wasn’t trying to do that,” he replies. “I just mean she walks all over you, and you just… take it.”
I ignore him, irritation simmering in my chest.
“By the way,” he continues, voice low. “I found something hanging out of the upstairs bathroom trash can this morning.” He looks uncomfortable, his cheeks flushed.
“Um… okay?” It takes me a moment to connect the dots, but then it hits. “Oh, shit.”
“Oh, shit is right. Be glad it was me who found it and not my mom. She would’ve freaked and then castrated you,” he says, shuddering.
I wince. “I thought it made the basket.”
“Well, it didn't. I made sure it was… taken care of. You’re welcome, by the way.”
“Thanks,” I mutter.
He gives me a weird look before clearing his throat. “Just be careful. You don’t want my sister using your leftovers to knock herself up.” He chuckles, walking away.
I stop dead in the middle of the hallway and grab him by the collar, yanking him to a halt. “What the fuck are you talking about?”
Hud pulls free. “Relax, dude. I overheard her on the phone once. She said it would be easy to get pregnant since you always leave your condoms behind.” He shrugs, casual like it’s nothing. “I figured she was just being dramatic. You know how she is.”
Sweat beads on my upper lip, my stomach dropping like wet concrete. “Hadley wouldn’t do that…”
Would she?
Small arms circle my waist, floral perfume hitting my nose.
“What wouldn’t I do?” Hadley purrs in my ear.
I flinch.
She steps in front of me, concern on her face. “Culley? What's wrong?”
Hud smirks, staying quiet.
“You’ve never messed with any of my condoms, have you?” The words tumble out, my brain not filtering my thoughts.
Hadley stares at me as if I slapped her. “What? Why would you ask me that?” Her voice shakes, but she doesn't deny it.
My pulse quickens, anger simmering just beneath my skin.
“I’m, uh… gonna leave you two to it.” Hud claps me on the back before he walks off towards first period.
He doesn’t get far before Ella Hackford appears in front of him, leaning in close to whisper.
He throws his head back laughing, the booming sound echoing down the hall.
He lays his arm across her shoulders and leads her around the corner and out of sight.
My jaw tightens.
They’ve been close since they were kids—since before I came into the picture, but something about her rubs me the wrong way. Maybe it’s her overly bubbly personality. Or the way she laughs a little too loud, just a second too late.
Maybe it’s the way she touches him…
Before I can crack a tooth, I force my attention back to Hadley, now loudly ranting to her two best friends.
“Why won’t you answer my question?” I snap, needing to hear her deny it.
Her chin wobbles, eyes glassy. “I can’t believe you’d think so little of me,” she whispers.
Damnit.
I sigh and pull her to me. “I’m sorry, Hads. I just… I don’t know anymore.” She melts into me like always, but things have shifted. They feel… different.
Our blow-up yesterday cracked something in me. The things I’ve been ignoring are now making themselves known, and I don’t think I can keep pretending.
Hadley wipes at her smeared mascara as her friend Maggie tugs her away. “I’ll see you later, Culley. No more silly accusations.” She blows me a kiss and struts off.
Unease lingers on my skin like a film as I watch her go.
I traipse into first period and spot Hudson talking to our friend Archer, who throws me a head nod. Hud breaks off the conversation and watches me slide into my seat.
“Sorry if I caused issues,” he drawls, not sounding all that sorry.
“You didn’t cause an issue. We are one.”
He snorts. “I love my sister, but I think it’s probably time y’all call it quits.”
Maybe he’s right. But I love Hadley… I think. I tell her I do anyway, and that’s what’s making letting go so damn hard.
Class starts, but I can’t concentrate. My gaze keeps drifting to Hudson, focused on his worksheet, solving calc problems like they’re toddler puzzles.
They may be twins, but Hud and Hadley couldn’t be any more different. Sometimes I wonder if I ended up with the wrong sibling.
I laugh silently at the absurd thought.
But is it that absurd?
I don’t let the thought linger, because I don’t know if I’m ready to face what it may mean.