Chapter 15
FIFTEEN
DALTON
I drive away from Savanna's house in a lovesick stupor.
All I can think about is the fact that I just had the girl of my dreams sprawled out on her kitchen counter, riding my face while my tongue was buried deep inside of her—crying out my name.
Now, I have to push that significant revelation aside while I sip a beer casually with Hudson.
Yeah, this is going to be challenging.
I run a hand through my hair, steadying my breath, before I reluctantly hop out of my truck.
Crossing the parking lot, I give my shoulder a shake before reaching Salty’s seashell door handle and giving it a forceful tug.
The last hour with Savanna has me on edge, and Hudson’s face is the last thing I want to see right now.
Making my way inside, I spot Hudson at the bar. Saturdays are apparently eighties nights here at Salty’s, so that explains why I see Hudson headbanging along with some heavy metal band blaring through the speakers—while taking long sips of his beer.
Coming up behind him, I take a seat on the barstool beside him, slapping his shoulder. “Hey, man. Good night or what?”
“Hell yeah, brother!” He beams, turning toward me.
“We beat the Gators thirty to six. It was one hell of a game. Hopefully, this is just the beginning of a good luck streak.” He twists the Bud Light in his hands, head nodding along to Def Leppard.
“We sure fucking need it if we are going to make it to the playoffs this year.”
My head bobs, listening to Hudson’s good night. Even though it sounds like he had a good one, mine was a thousand times better. But I'm not about to tell him that.
“That’s awesome, buddy. Congratulations on the win tonight.” I say, waving down the bartender.
Seeing my hand, she makes her way down the bar and stands in front of me, her eyes narrowing on me. “Hi…you must be Hudson’s famous friend.” She pauses. “I’m Hailey. I didn’t quite get a chance to meet you the other day or last night while you were entertaining the bachelorette party in the back.”
Entertaining?
Is that what I was doing?
I’m pretty sure I wasn’t doing that, since my eyes were glued to Savanna the entire night.
“Yeah, that’s me. I’m Dalton. Nice to meet you.” I extend my hand, shaking hers.
“Dalton and I go way back,” Hudson says. “Hell, I’ve practically known this guy my whole life.”
He’s smiling at Hailey now—red hearts in his green eyes. He might as well have one of those cartoon heart halos floating over his head with how he’s gawking at her.
“Is that so?” Hailey lifts her eyebrow, studying me. “So, you grew up with Savanna, too?”
“I did...” I trail off slowly, my head tilting at her question.
Where is she going with this?
Hailey makes a humming noise. “She’s never mentioned you before.” Her golden-brown eyes roam over me, and I stare back at her in a challenge.
Because what the fuck?
That’s not the news I wanted to hear after kissing Savanna senseless. Jealousy grips tight in my chest, wanting to claw its way out at the thought of anyone else being with Savanna.
I take note of the standoff that Hailey and I seem to find ourselves in.
It feels like she’s not telling me something.
Hudson elbows me. “Yeah, Dalton here is in the Marines. He left right after graduation and hasn’t been back here in six fucking years.
Can you believe that? He hasn’t visited his best friend once.
” Hudson snorts and takes a sip of his beer.
“But I’ll forgive you, since you're fighting for our country and all that shit.”
I snicker, shaking my head. “How generous of you.”
Hailey’s eyes widen, her forehead creasing. “Six years? Is that so?” There’s a mischief in her eyes that I can’t seem to place.
“Yup,” I say, popping the p at the end. All I want is for this conversation to be over, so I can order a beer.
Hailey glances at me, continuing with her interrogation.
“That’s a very specific amount of time to be away.
” She then turns toward Hudson. “Speaking of Savanna, have you talked to her today? She seemed really off last night. I’m pretty sure she almost broke all the glass tumblers she had to wash as she stared at the bachelorette table you guys were sitting at all night. ”
Confusion washes over Hudson’s face.
Meanwhile, I’m pretty sure all the color has drained from mine.
Hailey’s fucking good, I’ll give her that.
Whatever detective game she is playing, it’s working.
“Shit, really?” Hudson rubs his jaw. “No, I haven’t noticed. She texted me earlier about her water heater being broken. But I had the game and couldn’t help her.”
Hailey turns her attention back toward me, accusing. “What about you, Dalton? Have you seen Savanna today?”
I let out an awkward cough and point to myself like an idiot. “Who? Me?” My voice squeaks.
Do I lie here?
Or tell the truth?
Hudson is going to ask Savanna about the water heater, and I’m not sure if she would lie to him. I’ll decide to do the right thing, even if I might end up regretting it.
“Actually, yeah.” I cough into my fist, like the horrible actor that I am. “Yeah, I have. I helped her with her water heater today.” My voice comes out sheepishly as I study my hands.
Hudson whips his head in my direction, and Hailey gasps like she already knew something no one else did.
Fucking great.
“You did fucking what?” Hudson snaps, his face twisting up in confusion.
I shrug, trying to act nonchalant. “I just helped Savanna. No big deal. Ran into her at the hardware store and thought she could use some help. Plus, I knew you had a game tonight.”
Hudson and Hailey exchange glances and then avert their eyes back at me—completely in sync with each other.
“Did that take you long?” Hudson asks, studying me.
“A few hours,” I reply, focusing on the pink flamingo neon light hanging behind the bar.
Out of my peripheral vision, I catch them still staring. Hailey smirks like she’s figured out a fucking riddle she’s been working on all day.
“You were at my sister’s house for a few…” Hudson starts, but Hailey’s glare cuts him off.
“Well, Dalton, what can I get you?” Hailey asks, clasping her hands together. “Actually, you know what? It’s on the house tonight for helping my girl out today.” She taps the bar top with her knuckles and saunters off.
Fuck.
At least she’s back to her day job—instead of being the private investigator that she thinks she is.
When I glance at Hudson, he’s sipping his beer with a huge grin plastered on his face. “So...you got to hang out with my niece today? Did she talk your ear off about how great I am?
A snort falls from my mouth. “Not exactly.”
Hudson narrows his eyes as he brings the opening of his frosted bottle to his mouth. “Don’t lie to me, Dalton. I’m practically Drew’s favorite person. I know that for a damn fact.”
I make a humming sound. “You sound pretty sure of yourself,” I say as Hailey appears with my beer. I watch as she grabs a coaster and slides the glass bottle my way.
“The handyman special.” She winks before walking away.
Jesus Christ.
My attention turns back to Hudson when I catch him glaring at me. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
I chuckle, sipping my drink, getting a rise out of watching Hudson squirm about not being his niece's favorite tonight.
Someone’s easily offended.
“Well, she was ready to give up your spot at the dinner table to me. So, I think that makes me her favorite now,” I say casually with a shrug.
Hudson scoffs, recoiling. “Shut the fuck up.”
I put my hands up and snicker. “True story.” Then, to really turn up the heat, I add, “Permanently.”
I watch as Hudson’s face turns red. The competition for his niece’s favoritism is killing him. “You're a dirty little liar, Dalton,” he says, pointing his finger at me. “I’m Drew’s goddamn favorite.” Hudson slides his phone out of his pocket, his fingers flying across the screen.
“What the hell are you doing?” I ask, taking a sip of my beer.
“I don’t spill secrets with the enemy. You’re a Marine. You should recognize tactical warfare.”
Huffing out a laugh, I shake my head. After a few minutes, Hudson places his phone on the bar top. “Done!” he says, beaming. “One dozen donuts, to be delivered to my precious Drew, first thing in the morning.”
I quirk an eyebrow, tilting my head. “Your tactical warfare is donuts?”
Yeah, this guy isn’t lasting a day in the Marines.
“Fuck yeah, it is. Have you even met my niece?”
Warmth courses through my body as I think about my afternoon with Savanna and Drew. I grin, slapping Hudson on the back. “Yeah, I have.”