Chapter 39
Thirty-Nine
Hudson
I’ve been stuck in this icebox of an interrogation room for hours, and no one’s bothered to tell me what the hell is going on. The cold makes sense, though—I’ve seen enough crime shows to know they keep suspects uncomfortable—but I never thought I’d be the one sitting here.
Yet here I am.
The door finally opens. A detective marches in, followed by Uncle Eli. Relief floods me. I want to hug him, but all I manage is a pathetic little wave.
“Why is Hudson cuffed to the table?” Uncle Eli asks with a hard edge to his voice.
The detective squares his shoulders.“He is suspected of a violent crime. It’s standard safety protocol.”
“He’s been here alone for three hours. I'm sure Judge Matthews would like to know about the treatment of suspects in your custody.”
The detective bristles but relents. The cuffs come off, leaving angry red marks on my wrists. He stomps to the door, slamming it behind him.
Once we’re alone, Uncle Eli wraps me in a hard hug. “Hey, Hud. I’ve got you.” For the first time since I was cuffed at graduation, I breathe easier.
He sits across from me, flipping open a file. “Your dad filled me in, and I’m so sorry those jackasses ruined your graduation.” He scowls. “And when the time comes, my firm will also help put away the scum who has been harassing you.”
“Thanks, Uncle Eli,” I whisper.
He gives me an understanding smile before his expression sobers. “Hudson, for legal reasons, I have to ask. Did you do what you’ve been accused of?”
“No. I don’t even know who made the claim.”
He pulls a sheet from the folder on the table. “Does Heather Hill ring a bell?”
“No. I don’t know any Heat—” I stop, turning into a statue.
“You’ll regret that, asshole.”
My mouth goes dry.
This can’t be real.
Uncle Eli watches me closely. “You do know her, don’t you?” he presses.
“She was part of a group we met at the lake during spring break a few weeks ago.”
He nods and starts making notes. I swallow hard, realizing I need to confess something to my uncle.
“Uncle Eli, there’s something you should know.” He looks up from the legal pad and waits patiently. “I’m gay. Cullen is my boyfriend, and he’ll tell you that we were never far from each other that entire trip.”
His brows shoot up, but he smiles. “I knew it. I saw the way you looked at him for years.”
I blink. “You… knew?”
He chuckles and explains. “Hud, I’m a lawyer. I’m good at reading people. I’m glad you two finally figured it out.”
My mouth gapes like a fish.
“I’m happy for you, kid. I always knew you two were meant for each other.” He flashes me another smile, then gets back to business.
“Alright, according to the complaint, Heather woke up the morning after a party feeling sick and disoriented. She later found an empty prescription bottle with your name on it in her purse.”
He looks at me, waiting, like I can give him an explanation, but I’m just confused. “I take anxiety medicine, but why would I put them in her purse? That makes no sense.”
“Exactly. Seems like a stretch, but you need to prepare for this to go to trial, Hud—unless we can get them to drop the charges.”
My stomach drops. Trial.
Uncle Eli keeps moving forward, unaware of the storm brewing inside of me. He asks about the party, and I tell him about the truth or dare game, the drinking, and Heather’s threat when I refused to kiss her. He jots it all down, leaving no detail out.
He finally stands, putting his files away. “That’s good enough for now. Let’s get you out of here. The judge has already agreed to your release, but you have a hearing in two weeks.”
I nod and follow him out of the room and past the fuming detective. I keep my head down, just wanting out of this place.
We step into the well-lit waiting room, my steps faltering at the sight of everyone waiting—my parents, my grandparents, Cullen and his parents, Archer… even Theo.
Hadley is noticeably absent.
Cull sees me first. He’s on his feet, then on me, almost knocking me over with the force of his hug. “Are you okay? This is such bullshit. It killed me that I couldn’t stop them from taking you,” he blurts in nearly one breath.
He grasps my shirt, and I don’t want him to let go. I’m scared that once he does, I’ll lose my shit again.
When he finally pulls back, he scans my face, frowning. “What the hell happened to your face?”
I touch the sore spot, the pain evident now that I’m out of that icebox. “Oh, I uh… passed out in the police car. Hit my face on the partition.”
He starts to fuss, but I cut him off. “I’m fine. Just a small panic attack.” I give him a tight smile. His frown deepens, not happy I’m downplaying it.
I get a round of hugs from everyone, then glance toward Archer and Theo. “Not that I don’t appreciate the support, but why are you here?”
Archer gives me a bro-handshake. Theo lingers behind him, his weight shifting and fingers fidgety.
“We didn’t know if you needed, like, character witnesses,” Archer says.
“Word spread fast about your charges, but I knew it was bullshit. Theo lives up here, so it made sense to come and help. Matt wanted to come, but his parents wouldn’t let him. ”
Heat spikes in my chest, and I pin Theo with a glare. “You can thank your friend Heather for this mess.”
Theo flinches, his lips rolling inward, guilt flashing across his face. He knows exactly who I’m talking about.
Cullen looks at me, confused, but Archer’s face drops, turning on Theo. “Your sister filed this?”
Silence slams the room, all eyes glaring daggers at Theo. “I-I didn’t know it was you she was accusing,” he stammers, voice cracking.
My eyes narrow. “You didn’t know she was accusing me?”
He blows out a breath, squirming under the scrutiny. “She never gave a name. Just said a friend encouraged her to file. We didn’t ask questions—just supported her.”
Archer steps back, his face tightening. “So you’ve known that your sister was charging one of my friends with rape and didn’t think to tell me?”
“Arch, I’m sorry. Our lawyer told us not to speak about it.”
Archer stares at him, disbelief and hurt flickering across his face. Then he moves to stand beside me, jaw clenched, drawing a clear line.
Uncle Eli steps in, voice cool. “Hudson, as your attorney, I’m advising you not to engage with this young man further since he is tied to the plaintiff.”
I nod stiffly and step toward my mom as she opens her arms. She quietly steers me out of the station, our family trailing behind.
I collapse into the backseat of my dad’s car, forehead leaning against the cool window. A moment later, another door slams, Cull’s hand finding mine. He just holds it, silent.
Outside, shouting breaks out. I glance over to see Archer going off on Theo in the parking lot. I feel bad for Archer, but that isn’t my problem to fix.
“Hud, we’re staying at the cabin for tonight since it’s so late,” Dad lets me know from the driver’s seat. “It’s only half an hour away, and everyone’s coming, except Archer and his friend.”
“Fine.” I don’t care where we go. I just want a shower, a bed, and to sleep for a week.
Or to never wake up at all.