Chapter 31 #2
“I think I dodged a bullet in general,” Cull utters softly.
I grunt in agreement and step forward to greet our friends. I clasp Archer’s hand and pull him into a bro hug, Cullen right behind me.
“Damn, dudes, we all clean up nice.” Archer grins, giving us both a once-over.
“You wish you were this hot,” Cullen volleys, clapping him on the back.
“He doesn’t have to wish. He’s hotter. No offense.”
Archer’s ears flush, and he clears his throat. “Uh, guys, this is Theo. We met him and his friends at the lake, remember?”
Cullen grins knowingly as he shakes Theo’s hand. “We remember. You doing good, man?”
“I’m doing great.” He pulls Archer into his side, locking his arm around his waist.
My eyebrows practically shoot off my forehead. Is Archer gay, too? No. He’s dated girls before… Right? I’m confused, but don’t want to be rude and ask.
“I can see the wheels turning in your head, dude,” Archer jokes, amused. “Theo’s my date. We’ve been talking since the lake.”
“Are you gay?” I mentally facepalm myself. Smooth, Hudson. Real smooth. “I’m sorry, that was shitty to just blurt like that.”
Archer chuckles. “It’s all good. But, yeah, I am.”
Well, I’ll be damned. I’m grinning like an idiot. At least, it feels like I am.
“Is that a recent thing?” Damn, my mouth is going to get me in trouble if I don’t learn to filter.
This time he outright laughs. “No, I just don’t advertise it. I flirt with everyone, so I let people assume what they want.”
“Good for you, man.” Cull smiles and gives him another hug.
Our conversation is cut off when a group of parents walks up, phones in hand, ready to snap even more photos. Cull tugs on my jacket sleeve, leaning in close. “Your dad is here.”
I duck behind Cull, not ready for this. Not here, not now; but if I ignore him, someone’s bound to ask questions.
“Hudson…”
Shit. So much for hoping tonight would go smoothly.
I hesitate before stepping from behind Cull, spotting my dad off to the side, fidgeting with his wedding ring. I take a fortifying breath and let it out through my nose.
“Dad.” I greet him, my voice stiff and defensive, my walls slamming into place. I won’t let him guilt me over loving Cullen. He can be right about a thousand things. But not this.
“Can we talk? I’ll make it quick.”
I glance at Cullen, and he gives me an encouraging smile. “I’ll be right here.”
I nod and walk with Dad toward the back of the lot. My nerves kick into overdrive, and when we’re far enough from everyone, I stop and face him.
“You look great, Hud.”
“Because I’m not lying in a ball in my bed crying?”
He flinches, remorse all over his face.“I deserve that.”
I stay quiet, waiting for him to get on with whatever this is.
“Son, I’m sorry. I let my fear of you getting hurt get in the way of what was right in front of me. There were things I never should’ve said. I don’t want you thinking I’m not proud or supportive of you.”
I keep my expression neutral. He’s not getting a free pass just because he showed up and got teary.
He sighs, blinking quickly. “I was watching you earlier at Cullen’s house.”
That catches me off guard. I never saw him.
“I was in Mom’s car, a few houses down. But I could see you two clearly.”
“What did you see, Dad?”
“I saw two young men who are clearly very much in love.”
I nod, jaw tight. I don’t trust my voice, worried it’ll push me into tears. I’m so sick of crying.
“You’re a man now, Hud, but it’s hard to look at you and not see my little boy. I’ll always want to protect you, even from a broken heart. I think I felt like I failed Hadley in that regard. And since Cullen was the link, he caught my ire. I’m so sorry.”
“I love him, Dad. I’ve loved him since I was thirteen. He’s it for me.”
“And I love him, sir.”
We both startle at Cullen’s sudden appearance.
“Sorry,” he mutters, stepping forward. “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but they’re ready to take more pictures.”
“It’s okay. I’m glad you came over. I owe you an apology, too,” Dad says, turning towards Cull.
Cullen squares his shoulders as he steps up to my dad. “I think we both want to take care of Hudson and make sure he’s happy and healthy. I won’t always get it right, but one thing I’ll never do is make him feel less than, or guilty, because of his mental health.”
A lone tear slips down my dad’s cheek, the weight of his regret clear. “I think my son is in great hands, then. I’m sorry. To both of you.”
I pull him into a hug, blinking hard to fight off the tears threatening to fall. “Thank you, Dad.”
He clears his throat and steps back. “Alright, let’s get you two back to your friends. The moms want all the photographic evidence of the night they can get,” he chuckles.
We return to the group and go straight to Ella so we can knock out the picture-taking. Hadley’s eyes flick between Cullen and me suspiciously. I intercept it with the one thing she craves—attention.
“You look great, sis.” I hope that lie sounded sincere. Not that she isn’t pretty, Hadley could wear a burlap sack and still have guys falling at her feet, but this look is a lot. Even for her.
Thankfully, like with Ella’s compliments, she eats it up.
“Not so bad yourself, baby brother.”
I roll my eyes. “You’re only three minutes older.”
She smirks and turns her attention to the swarm of parents lifting their phones like it’s a red carpet event.
Ella leans into me to pose, so I slip my arm around her and smile for the flashing cameras.
Someone calls out for the group to scoot in closer, and Cullen takes the opportunity to press up against my shoulder and discreetly grab my free hand.
My smile widens at the contact, and just like that, the last of my dread fades away.
When the parents decide they’ve captured enough memories, our group cheers, ready to get the night officially started. I grab Ella’s hand and lead her inside to the Enchanted Forest-themed room, where fake trees and fairy lights frame the walls, and bass-heavy music pulses through the air.
“All right, assholes. Let’s party!” Matt yells, slinging his arm around my shoulders.
Ella tugs me away as we all laugh and dive into the crowd, a glittering mosh pit of sequins and suits crashing together, living out one of the best nights of our lives.