Chapter Thirty-Four
Thirty-Four
Cullen
The rest of the day was a blur of whispers and darted looks. Word spread fast, but thankfully, our friends took it in stride. Archer was over the moon and even floated the idea of a double date with him and Theo. Matt was a little more reserved, but bro-hugged us both.
Amid the chaos came this quiet realization that we don’t have to hide anymore. I can publicly date Hudson now. Take him to dinner and hold his hand at the mall. I can kiss him without having to look over my shoulder first.
The way it was revealed was shitty, and as brutal as it was for Hadley to find out like that, I’m relieved.
No more hiding.
But right now, only one thing matters. Who the hell sent that photo to the entire senior class?
“The only people who’ve seen that picture are our parents and us. Someone had to have hacked one of our phones,” I say. “Is there anyone at school who could even do that?”
It’s the same question we’ve been passing back and forth for the past half hour, but we still have no answer. I let out a sigh, head pounding from going in circles.
We’ve been hanging at Hudson’s house, hoping Hadley would come home. We need to talk to her, apologize for the way things exploded.
We gave up hope of talking to her today when Hud’s mom called. She was upset, explaining that Hadley went to her office and made a scene, screaming at her for lying to her for so long. Said she was going to stay with Maggie since she was “invisible” in her home anyway.
I can’t imagine what it’s like, being stuck in the middle like that, and having to keep your son’s secret while lying to your daughter. Hudson blames himself, but I’ve already given him the speech. This isn’t just on him.
It’s on both of us.
We made the decision together to keep our relationship quiet, so we both take the blame. What surprised me was that he agreed. Said he was trying not to take on all the guilt.
I’m proud of him for that.
But even with everything else swirling around us, one thing still hangs heavy in the air: Hadley. We haven’t really processed what happened in the cafeteria. We just dove straight into trying to figure out who sent the photo.
And we haven’t talked about Hadley’s reaction, either. We knew she’d be upset, but that? That was devastation.
Hud is slouched on the couch, head tipped against the cushions. I study him for a second. “Wanna talk about it?”
“My heart aches,” he murmurs, rubbing at his sternum. “It’s like I can feel what she’s feeling. I never wanted to hurt her, Cull.”
“I know. Neither of us did. And I hate that this is how she found out, but… at least now we don’t have to hide.”
He manages a weak smile.
I get it. The whole thing is bittersweet. Hadley will come around when she’s ready, but judging by today, that may take a while.
I want to cheer him up. And I think I know how.
“Hey, Hud?”
He looks over, those Caribbean-blue eyes steady on me.
“Will you go on a date with me?”
His frown twists into a slow, radiant smile, all white teeth and excitement.
“Right now?”
“No time like the present.”
He jumps off the couch so fast, I swear he creates a breeze.
“Not excited at all, are you?” I tease, laughing.
“I’ve waited long enough to be wined and dined. Now feed me.” He holds out a hand to help me up.
“Brat,” I mumble under my breath.
“But you love me anyway,” he chirps.
I sigh, smiling despite myself. “Yeah. I do.” More than my next breath.
“Okay, where are we going?” He’s bouncing on the balls of his feet, excitement coursing through him.
“I didn’t think past the asking-you part, so we’ll have to decide together.”
“How about the new arcade in Springview? I heard it’s got a grill, laser tag, mini golf—even a rollercoaster simulator,” he suggests.
“Yes! Let’s go there.”
We scramble out of his house and into my truck, taking the short drive to the next town over. We’ve talked about coming here before, but never have. Tonight feels like the perfect time.
The parking lot’s packed for a weeknight, but we snag a spot near the entrance. The building is trimmed in lights, neon strobing across the shrubs. Above the door, “FUN FACTORY” glows in large electric letters, matching the pulses of color coming from inside.
Hudson starts walking ahead, but I catch his hand. He turns, puzzled. “Everything alright?”
“Yeah. You’re my date. I just want to hold your hand.”
His smile is broad. “We can do that now.”
“Yeah. We can,” I agree, smiling wide. I thread my fingers through his, leading us through the entrance.
Inside, we burn hours playing games, racking up tickets, and stealing kisses between rounds. It feels like us, only better. We laugh, compete, and keep our hands tangled. No hiding. Not anymore.
After spending all our tokens, we head to the grill to grab a couple of burgers. While we eat, we talk summer plans, how we’ll set up our dorm room at AB State, and what we think tryouts for the soccer team will be like.
There is a buzz against the table. Hudson licks the grease from his thumb and checks his phone. “Ella’s calling,” he notes, silencing it. “I’ll call her back later.”
“How’s she doing?” I ask, taking a bite of a crispy fry. Hudson and Ella never told anyone that they “broke up.” They just sort of stopped acting like a couple once we returned from the lake. So, as far as I know, no one really knows that they had split.
“What do you mean?”
“Well… we got outed today. Now everyone knows she was your fake girlfriend. Just wondering how she’s handling everything.”
He stills, burger halfway to his mouth. “Shit. I didn’t even think about Ella. I’m such an asshole.”
“You’re not. A lot happened today.”
“Damn. I was supposed to help her study for her calc exam tonight, too.” He’s already grabbing his phone, dialing fast. It rings once before she picks up.
“Ella, I’m so sor—” Hud winces at her shrill voice shouting back. “I’m on a date with Cullen, but I can be there in forty-five minutes.”
He yanks the phone away as her yelling cuts through the speaker. “So you’re just going to forget I exist? After everything I’ve done for you? Do you have any idea how humiliated I was today?”
“I’m sorry. So much happened and—”
“Save it.”
He stares at his phone. “She hung up. Great. Now she’s pissed at me, too.”
“She’s hurt. Talk to her tomorrow. She just needs to cool off.”
“You’re right.” He balls up his napkin and drops it on his tray. “I think I’m done. You?”
“Yeah. Let’s go.” I grab the bill, pay, then lead him out.
I open the passenger door for him, and he smirks. “I’m getting the princess treatment, huh?”
I kiss him softly. “No, baby. You’re a king.”
He shakes his head, but he smiles as he climbs in.
Things are tough right now, but tonight gives me hope that our future is going to be bright.
***
I walk in the front door, still floating from my first public date with Hud. It felt so freeing not keeping this a secret anymore. Hopefully, us being out in the open now will put to rest some of the threats coming from Hud’s unknown stalker.
One can only hope.
I’m passing by Dad’s office when he calls me inside. “Hey, Cull. Got a minute?”
“Yeah, what’s up?” I ask, pausing in the doorway.
“Nora called Mom and told us about what happened today. I just wanted to check in and see how you’re doing.”
I exhale hard, walk over to the sofa, and sink down. “Today was a mess. Somehow, someone got hold of a picture of Hud and me before prom and sent it to the entire senior class. The number was blocked, so no clue who did it.”
He comes and sits next to me on the couch. “But are you doing alright? I know you came to Mom and me pretty confident about your sexuality, but you were adamant you didn’t want anyone else to know. Now, everyone does.”
I get where he’s going. “I feel bad for Hadley. That’s not how we wanted her to find out. But on the other hand, I got to take Hud on a real date tonight, and it felt… incredible.”
He smiles. “I’m happy for you boys.”
“Thanks, Dad. He makes me happy.”
He lays a strong hand on my shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. “Alright, now something a little more serious.”
“More serious than someone outing my boyfriend and me at school?” I joke.
He cuts me a look. “I support you and Hudson completely, but I need you two to be cautious. Safe.”
I glance at him, confused. That sounds suspiciously like the beginnings of the sex talk.
“Dad, we already had this conversation years ago. I remember way too much of it, actually. Hud and I are careful—”
“Oh! No, not like that. But good to know,” he rambles, neck flushing.
I laugh. “We’re both relieved, then.”
“Indeed. Anyway, your mom and I were talking. I think it’s time for a refresher on the guns in the house.”
I frown. “Dad, I’ve been hunting since I was ten. I know how to use the shotgun.”
“Doesn’t matter. Guns aren’t something you can afford to be casual about. And this stalker… we don’t know who we’re dealing with. I’ve seen situations like this get worse fast. I want you to be prepared.”
He’s right, and I’m not naive. “Okay. You’re right.”
“Good. We’ll hit the range Saturday. I want you to practice with the handgun.”
I nod and get up from the couch.
“Alright, you’ve got exams tomorrow. Go hit the books, then get a good night's sleep.”
I stop in his office doorway, then turn, watching as he settles behind his desk again. “Dad?”
He looks up from the papers he was shuffling.
“I don’t think I ever apologized for snapping at you on the phone that day. When Hudson had his panic attack. I was scared and didn’t know what to do. I’m sorry.”
He stands and comes over to where I’m standing, clapping a hand on my shoulder. “Did you know I yelled at your mom’s doctor the day of her car accident?”
I blink, surprised. “Really?”
“She was half-conscious and moaning in pain. The doc told me he’d already given her the max dose of pain meds, and we’d just have to wait it out. You know what I did?”
“No.”
“I yelled, ‘What good are you?’”
I bark a laugh. “That’s the same thing I said to you.”
He grins. “Like father, like son.” His face softens. “We lash out when the people we love are hurting. We want to fix it. But sometimes, the best thing we can do is just be there. Hold their hand. That matters more than any doctor or treatment.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
He squeezes my shoulder one last time, nudging me towards the stairs. I wander into my room, then change into basketball shorts and collapse into bed.
When I check my phone, I see two missed messages.
HUD: Thank you for the best first date. I love you. See you in the morning.
ME: Thank you for being the best date. Love you too. Night.
The second message is from an unknown number. My skin prickles, not wanting to read whatever this psycho is going to spew.
UNKNOWN: End it with him.
UNKNOWN: By the way, how's your truck? Running well?
My chest cinches tight, heartbeat spiking.
Dad was right.
I need to brush up on my shooting. And fast.