Chapter 28
Twenty-Eight
Cullen
After a blur of panicked back-and-forth, we called our parents first, then the cops. Our parents told us to lock every door and wait in a room with a quick exit. It felt like overkill. Then I looked at the photo again. We don’t know who’s doing this or why, and that makes it terrifying.
The cops showed up fast, just ahead of our parents.
We slipped one officer the photo, asked him not to show it or say anything to our families, and explained why.
Thankfully, he didn’t blink. Just nodded, bagged it as evidence, and slid it into the trunk of his cruiser like it was nothing worse than an overdue library book.
When our parents arrived, panic was the first thing through the door. They were all over us. Touching our arms and scanning us for injuries, even though we’d already told them on the phone we were okay. They just had to see for themselves.
Then came the questions.
Did you see who it was? Was there more than one person? Why?
We didn’t have answers. Just the creepy notes from yesterday and a few weird texts we’ve both gotten. The cop bagged the old notes and added the texts to the report he made.
Mrs. Nora even called Ella’s mom to warn her. Told her to keep an eye out since she had also been receiving messages.
Thanks to the Daniels' doorbell cam, we got a glimpse of the guy. He was tall, lean, and fast, wearing a black hoodie, ski mask, and gloves. He moved like he had a stopwatch ticking in his head. He threw the brick and was gone in under twenty seconds.
The guy gave off athlete vibes and has to be someone from school. It’s the only logical explanation.
It’s not much, but it’s a start.
The police are wrapping up now, giving our parents tips on what to watch for. I look around and realize Hudson’s not with us.
Maybe he went to the bathroom.
But when he still hasn’t come back after a few minutes, I slip upstairs and find him pacing like he’s trying to wear a path through his bedroom floor.
“Baby?” I ask. “What’s wrong?”
He stops moving and looks at me wide-eyed. His hands are shaking, twisting the hem of his shirt. He looks like he might throw up.
“I have to tell them.” He’s trembling, voice tight.
“Tell who… what?”
“My parents. I have to tell them I’m—” He cuts himself off, running a hand through his messy faux hawk. “I need to tell them I’m gay. Before someone else does it for me.”
My heart clenches, anger rising like a storm. “You deserve to come out on your terms, not because some coward threw a brick through your window.”
“If I do it now, it’s still my choice.”
I cross the room and pull him into a hug. He smells like his body wash, smoky and sweet. Like home.
“I’m proud of you,” I whisper into his ear. “Want me to clear out my parents, so you have privacy?”
He shakes his head against my shoulder. “No. I think we should tell all of them everything.”
I pull back just enough to look at him. “Are you sure?”
“Yeah. But it involves you, too. Are you okay with them knowing about us?”
I cup the back of his neck. “Of course. My parents already know I’ve got the hots for my best friend.”
That earns me a snort and a soft smack to the chest. “The hots?”
“Undeniable.”
I lean in, about to kiss him, when his mom’s voice cuts through the air. “Boys?”
Better than a psycho with a brick, but still a buzzkill.
“Rain check?” he asks.
“I’d like to redeem sooner rather than later.” I grab his hand and brush it lightly against the front of my shorts, making him groan.
“You can’t do that and then expect me to tell my parents I’m gay. That’s, like, illegal. Or a party foul.”
I laugh and tug him toward the door. “Use it like a public speaking trick.”
“Rude. Now I’m picturing you naked.”
“You’re welcome,” I tease, smirking.
I stop and look at him seriously. “I’ll be right beside you.”
He nods. “Thank you.”
We head downstairs and circle up with our parents.
“Oh, there y’all are,” Mrs. Nora says. “Hud, your dad and I are going to get a hotel. I don’t want to stay here tonight. You’ll go to Cullen’s, and Hadley’s staying with Maggie.”
Thank you, universe. That rain check’s getting cashed in tonight.
“Okay, but before we do all that, can we sit in the living room? There’s something I want to talk to y’all about.”
His mom’s eyes grow concerned. “Everything all right?”
“Yeah. Just… come sit.”
My mom starts to usher us out. “We’ll let you all talk. Cullen, come on, sweetheart. Let's go get the spare room ready—”
“Actually,” Hudson interrupts. “Can you and Dr. Anderson stay?”
My mom gives a soft smile. “Of course.”
We all file into the living room. His parents settle on the couch, my mom and dad taking the chaise. Hudson stays standing in front of the fireplace, his fingers rubbing his khaki shorts like he’s trying to remove his prints. I step beside him and rest my hand on his back.
“Hudson?” Mrs. Nora asks. “What’s going on?”
He swallows hard. “There’s something I need to tell you, and I’m sorry for not saying it sooner.
I had my reasons. But I’m not ashamed. I just…
I-I hope you’ll still love me.” He’s shaking now, doing his best to hold himself together.
Sadness washes over me that he’s suddenly scared their love could be conditional.
But I have faith that everything will be fine.
I glance at my mom. She already knows. I can tell by her soft smile and the way she looks between us. I wink at her, and she beams.
If this goes bad, if his parents can’t handle it, I know mine will be his safety net. But I hope it doesn’t come to that.
I feel Hudson tense beside me, so I squeeze his shoulder. He exhales, voice a little raw when he speaks.
“Mama, Dad… I’m gay.”
Silence.
He’s trembling under my hand. One second. Then two, and still nothing. I grit my teeth, hope curdling in my stomach. My parents spoke up right away when I came out. This? This feels too long.
Too quiet.
What if I got it wrong? What if his parents don’t want a gay son? I press a little closer to Hud, trying to give him as much quiet support as I can.
“But you’re dating Ella.” Mrs. Nora’s words come out slowly, like she’s trying to make the pieces fit.
“No, I’m not. Ella’s just my friend. She offered to be a cover so you and Mrs. Amy would stop pushing us together.
” The admission is quiet and sad. “I never wanted that date. When I dropped her off, I knew I had to be honest. I think she hoped it would turn into something, and I couldn’t let her think it was her fault. She needed to know I was the problem.”
“You’re not a problem, son.” Mr. Daniels speaks firmly, like it’s something he’s had to remind Hudson of more than once.
“I pushed you into that,” his mom gasps, her voice cracking. “Hudson, if I’d known… I just thought you were shy. I didn’t want you to be lonely.”
Well, now I know where Hudson gets his meddling tendencies. It’s a family trait.
“I know, Mom. I just didn’t want to disappoint you, so I went on the date because I thought it would make you happy.”
“But that’s not what this is about. Your happiness matters most. Your dad and I just want you to find someone who brings you joy, whoever that is.” Hudson’s dad nods along with everything Mrs. Nora says.
Hudson exhales, long and shaky, releasing years of pressure. I’ve only just come to terms with my own sexuality, and even in a matter of days, the weight of the secret felt suffocating. I can’t imagine holding it in since middle school.
“So… you don’t hate me?” His voice is small and uncertain.
God, I want to hold him, but I stay rooted to the spot. There is still one more hill to climb.
“Hate you?” his dad repeats, leaning forward on the couch. “Son, we could never hate you. You and your sister are our whole world. There’s nothing you could do that would change that.”
They both rise and wrap their arms around him. I step back, letting them have the moment. My eyes sting, happy to see Hudson’s family embracing him, accepting him.
My mom looks like the cat that got the cream, her grin smug and knowing. I catch her eye, and she winks. Meanwhile, my dad watches with a more careful, clinical eye. Probably storing this for some future therapy session, honestly.
When they pull apart, there are a few tears but just as many smiles. Relief floods the room. No rejection. No yelling. Just acceptance.
And I know not everyone gets that. Especially not in a small town like ours. We’re lucky, and I’ll never take that for granted.
Hudson clears his throat. “There’s more.” He directs his mom back toward the couch. She sits, his dad joining her, holding her hand.
“What else?” Mr. Daniels chuckles. “Don’t tell me you’re dating Cullen or something.”
Hudson and I share a glance. He takes my hand and threads our fingers together. “Actually… that’s exactly what I’m going to tell you.”
The humor drains from Mr. Daniels’ face. His eyes drop to our hands, his posture stiffening. “What the hell do you mean you're dating Cullen?”
“We’ve been together a couple weeks,” Hudson answers, voice steady.
Mr. Daniels’ glare swivels to me. “Since when are you gay?”
I flinch at the tone. “I’m not gay. I’m bisexual. I’m attracted to both girls and guys.”
“So, you’re greedy?” He scoffs. “Sampling everything on God’s green earth?”
“No, sir. It’s not about sampling anything. It’s about loving someone and having the guts to stop lying about it.”
Mr. Daniels’ eyes flick between Hud and me, his mouth tensing like he’s biting back words.
“Dad, come on. You just agreed it didn’t matter who I was with, as long as they made me happy.” There’s a sharp edge of panic in Hudson’s voice now.
“Mr. Daniels,” I say carefully, “can I ask why this bothers you?”
“Why does this bother me?” His voice rises. “Because you just dumped my daughter, and now you’re experimenting with my son. You’ll break his heart, too. And what then? You ruin a near decade-long friendship?”
“I get it,” I acknowledge. “But Hudson isn’t some test run. Hadley and I weren’t right. We never were. Hudson and I… we’re built on something solid. Years of friendship. And now we’re more.”
“Yeah? And what happens when Hudson crashes into a depressive episode and can’t get out of bed for a week, huh? Has he told you about that yet?” he snaps, flinging a hand toward us.
“Dad…”
“Eric!” Mrs. Nora snaps.
“No, Nora, let me finish. He needs to know what he’s signing up for. Hudson isn’t always going to be sunshine and roses.”
“I know about his mental health.” I keep my cool, only because I need Mr. Daniels to see the truth. “And I want to be his support. Whatever he needs.”
Mr. Daniels chuckles darkly. “You say that now, but you have no idea how hard it is to care for someone struggling to get through each day.” He stands, hands on his hips.
“What will you do when you want to go out or even have a night in, and Hudson’s shut down, crying or sleeping through everything?
Give him a pep talk?” He scoffs. “His mental illness is lifelong. You’ll get tired of trying.
You’ll leave. Then both my kids will be heartbroken. ”
“Dad, please…” Hud whispers brokenly.
“Eric,” Mrs. Nora snaps harshly. “That’s not fair. Hudson has every right to choose who he wants to be with. And Cullen’s always been a good friend to him. Hadley and Cullen weren’t a fit, and we both know that. Don’t take this out on him.”
Mr. Daniels shakes his head. “What’s not fair is that our son has to live with this… this mental disability that steals parts of him from us. And Cullen will decide one day that it’s too much. Or worse, realize he wants pussy instead. Either one will break what’s left of my son!”
“That’s enough!” Dad’s voice booms through the room like thunder. Everyone goes silent. Hudson’s dad tightens his jaw, eyes shining with unshed tears. He sits back down on the couch, posture stiff.
Hud is staring at the floor, face blank. I can feel him trying to pull his hand away, but I hold on.
He’s shutting down.
And I get it now. Mr. Daniels isn’t angry. He’s terrified because he’s seen Hudson’s worst days, and he’s scared that if this falls apart, it could destroy him.
I guide Hudson to the coffee table and sit us both down. He moves like a marionette, silent, compliant. I keep our hands linked and face his dad.
“Mr. Daniels, I love Hudson.”
He scoffs and rolls his eyes, arms locked over his chest.
“I love him. I love him in a way I never loved Hadley. And he loves me. I’ve already seen him at rock bottom.
Before we were together—I stayed. I held him through the darkness because that’s what you do when you love someone.
I know it will be hard, but it’ll never be as hard as what he faces.
He’s not a burden. He’s my everything. I know, deep down in my bones, that Hudson is my forever. ”
I can feel Hudson watching me now, but I don’t look away from Mr. Daniels. He needs to see that I mean every damn word.
The silence stretches, thick and suffocating.
“Does Hadley know?” Mr. Daniels asks gruffly.
Not what I expected, but I roll with it.
“No.”
“Make sure she doesn’t.”
Then he gets up and leaves the room.