Chapter 13
Thirteen
Cullen
“Yo, it’s Hud. Leave a message and I—”
“What the hell, Hud?” Growling, I hang up and toss my phone onto the passenger seat. It’s Monday, and I’m sitting in my truck during lunch, trying to reach Hudson for what feels like the hundredth time.
He’s gone MIA.
I was so pissed on Friday after he bolted that I didn’t even try to contact him for the rest of the day.
When Saturday rolled around, guilt settled in about what I’d said to him, so I tried texting, but the messages went unread.
I figured he was just as pissed as I was, so I let it slide and tried to give him some space.
When I still hadn’t heard from him by Sunday afternoon, I started to worry that I’d really fucked things up. I tried calling him, but every call went straight to voicemail.
I’ve heard that stupid message so many times it’s burned into my brain.
He must feel more for Ella than I thought, and I upset him more than I meant to. When he told me he’d asked her to be his girlfriend, I snapped. It was pure jealousy that fueled my reaction, but I wasn’t lying when I said she’s going to lead him down a bad path.
It should surprise me that Ella takes pills for fun, but it doesn’t. I knew there was something going on under her bubbly exterior.
Still, maybe I’m just seeing what I want to see. She’s never been rude to me, and no one’s said a bad word about her. Not even a rumor. I’m just making her the villain because I can’t deal with my feelings for Hud.
I guess I should bite the bullet and go find Ella. Maybe she will know why he isn’t at school today.
The bell rings, its shrill sound bouncing off the exterior brick walls and signaling the end of lunch. I have half a mind to cut the rest of the day and drive to Hudson’s house. But then what? Demand an explanation?
I sigh and let the idea go. Instead, I grab my phone and send him another text, hoping this is the one he answers.
ME: I get that you’re probably still pissed, but at least let me know you’re alive.
No response comes.
Dejected, I make my way down the hallway to my locker.
Not talking to Hud these last few days has left me feeling lonely, like a piece of me is missing. The heart wants what it wants, and mine desperately wants to hear Hudson’s voice. Even if it’s just to cuss me out for disrespecting his girlfriend.
My dad was right. I should’ve just been supportive. Voicing my opinion wasn’t worth losing Hudson.
Coming down the hallway, I see Hadley and Ella standing at my locker. Hadley is tapping her foot, arms crossed tightly around her books.
What did I do now?
“Hey Hads. Where is Hud?” I ask, stopping in front of them.
Her nostrils flare, fury practically oozing from every pore. “How is Hud?” she snaps, voice rising. “You’re always more concerned about him than you are about me.”
Ella, always oblivious to the room, pipes up. “Oh! I stopped by yesterday because he wasn’t answering my texts. His mom said he wasn’t feeling well and needed to rest.”
“Thank you, Ella. At least two of us care about Hudson.”
Hadley drops her jaw, affronted. “I care about my brother.”
“Then what is he sick with?”
“He… well, um…”
I scoff. “Yeah, you really care.”
She tenses, then shifts her books in her arms. “What’s this?” she hisses, shoving a small yellow square in my face, changing the subject.
I look at it, bored. “A sticky note?”
I’m already over whatever bullshit this is. I’m more concerned with making sure Hud is okay. If he doesn’t have the energy to at least text, he must be pretty sick.
She doesn’t move the paper from my face, hers an angry shade of red.
“Read it,” she snaps.
You don’t care about him. But I do.
My skin prickles. This is similar to the text I got the other day. “Where did you get this?”
Hadley scoffs. “It was stuck to my locker. Who do I need to step out of the way for, huh?”
I pull my cell out, scroll to the anonymous text and shove it in her face. “Whoever this psycho is. Apparently, Hud has an admirer.”
I flick my eyes to Ella, wanting to see how she reacts. Her eyes are wide as she reads the message over Hadley’s shoulder.
“You got one too?” she asks, surprised. “I got a similar message from a number I didn’t recognize after our date. It freaked me out a little, so I blocked and deleted it.”
Well, now I feel like a jackass for accusing Ella of drugging Hud. She seems rattled that someone is leaving us all messages.
Still don’t like her though.
Hadley doesn’t look convinced, but she drops the subject. “I have to get to class. I’ll see you later, Culley.”
She walks away, pulling Ella along with her. It doesn’t even hurt to watch her walk away. A true sign that this relationship is dead.
If I weren’t so caught up in Hudson’s silence, I would have ended it with her this past weekend. I could do it here at school, but that’s a dick move. She deserves a conversation without all the ears in the hallway.
This weekend can’t come fast enough. I’m done, and come Friday night, I’ll be free from her bullshit.
***
By the end of the day, I’m crawling out of my skin.
Why the hell didn’t I lie? One smile, one fake “I’m happy for you, bro,” and none of this would’ve happened.
Now I’m being ghosted, and I don’t think it has anything to do with being sick. I can’t shake the feeling that there is something else going on. I need to see Hud with my own eyes to settle my nerves.
As soon as the last bell rings, I’m in my truck, heading to his house. His parents should still be at work, so if he won't come to the door, I’ll use the spare key under the huge planter and let myself in.
On the way, I stop by the gas station to grab a couple of Hudson’s favorite treats. I pay for the cinnamon bun and green juice, hoping they’ll be a peace offering as much as a comfort if he’s sick.
I pull up to his house a couple minutes later and spot his mom’s white Lexus in the driveway, parked next to his Bronco. If she’s home from work, maybe he really isn’t feeling well, and I’m overreacting. Relief washes through me as I climb out, bound up to the porch, and knock on their front door.
A moment later, Mrs. Nora opens the door, smiling. “Hey, Cullen. How are you, darlin’?” She steps out and gives me a hug, her delicate, flowery perfume carrying on the breeze.
“I was hoping I could stop by and check on Hud. We had an argument on Friday, and I just wanted to bring a peace offering. Maybe it’ll help him feel a little better.” I step back and hold up the bag from the gas station.
She leads me over to the two black rocking chairs on the porch and gestures for me to sit. “He told us a little about the argument on Friday, but he hasn’t said much since. He hasn’t been… well.”
A tight knot cramps in my stomach. “What’s going on with him? Hadley can’t seem to give me an answer, and he won't answer my calls.” I know I sound a little accusatory, but I’m at my limit not knowing.
“Just one of those random bugs going around. It’s really taken it out of him. He’s not up for visitors, so if you want, I can tell him you stopped by and brought this,” she offers, motioning to the bag in my hand.
It’s clear I’m not going to get to see him today, so I relent and hand it over. “Thanks, Mrs. Nora. Will you tell him I’m sorry for Friday? I-I just don’t want him feeling sick and thinking I’m still mad.”
“Of course.” She smiles, but there is something underneath it. Sadness?
“Later, Mrs. Nora.”
“Bye, sweetie.”
I jog back to my truck. Just as I crank it, movement catches my eye. The slats in the blinds in Hudson’s room snap shut.
I stay locked on his window, hoping to catch a glimpse of his blue eyes peeking through, but the longer I stare, the more I start to wonder if I imagined it.