“Aw! Did you girls just have a moment?”
“Don’t be dick because you’re jealous of our bromance, Tanner,” Tucker tells his brother.
“Whatever,” Tanner mumbles. I think deep down he is jealous. He and Tucker have a decent relationship, but Tucker and I just seem to click in a way they don’t.
They continue to bicker but I tune them out as I catch sight of Rae again.
Right now, I want to kiss whoever came up with the uniforms for this place. They’re simple but sexy—or at least Rae’s is. It’s nothing but a pair of black shorts that somehow make her short legs look a mile long and a tight burnt-orange V-neck that is clinging to her curves in just the right way. Most places make you wear those ugly-ass no-slip shoes, but that doesn’t seem to be required here because Rae is rocking a pair of blue Chucks. Her entire look is so simple and understated that she stands out in the best way possible. She looks nothing like the other girls running around who are caked in makeup and have freakishly long bright fingernails. Rae’s plain, but it’s a good kind of plain.
She stops at the table full of guys again and I watch as she laughs with them. I hate that I am, but I admit I’m a little jealous I’m not sitting over there just so I can hear her more clearly.
I’ve thought about her laugh a lot over the last two weeks. In some weird sort of way, I’ve missed it. It felt so good to be able to laugh and have fun with her during our little ride. I’m usually surrounded by people who have been in my life since Joey was born, and it’s become a little…bland. It’s not that I don’t have fun with Tucker and Gaige, or that Joey doesn’t make me happy all the time, but it was nice to have had that small connection with someone new—no matter how short-lived it was.
I can’t even count the number of times I had to talk myself out of looking at her file to get her number. Tucker caught me with it on my desk once and proceeded to make fun of me for two days straight. I eventually had to lock him out of my office because he kept walking in at random times just to see if he could catch me again.
Rae glances up and catches me watching her again. She gives me a small smile that causes my heart rate to increase. Damn. Just her smile does stupid things to me. She spends another thirty seconds (yes, I count) at the table before she makes her way to ours.
“How you boys doing?” she asks in that sultry voice of hers. She peels her gaze from mine and looks around the table. “You want another Sam Adams?” she directs to Tanner.
“Bring it on, baby,” her tells her before returning his attention to Tucker and Gaige.
My body tenses for all of two seconds over the “baby” part before the look on Rae’s face registers with me. She’s so not impressed with Tanner. Good job, Rae. The guy is a total douchebag.
She nods politely and then turns to me. “How about you, Hudson? Need a refill? I hear you have an excellent waitress that can get one for you.”
My body tenses again, but this time it’s from her saying my name. I didn’t realize before how much I love it.
“I’m good.” The grin she gives me is adorable and I can’t help but wonder what just went through her head. “What?”
She brings her hand up and pretends to zip her lips. I raise an eyebrow at her. She huffs.
“Geeze, Hudson. You can’t expect a girl to just give up all her secrets.”
One word—secrets. That’s all it takes and suddenly I now want to know all her secrets. Every last one. I want to know her, want to get close to her—no, I need to get close to her.
But should I? Should I drag her into what’s going on in my life? Can I do that to Joey? Can I let a stranger into our lives like that?
For her, I think I could.
You should probably start by getting her number, jackass.
“Listen, Rae…” I start.
“Yo, Rae! You have food, honey!” the guy behind the counter hollers, interrupting me.
She turns around and holds up her finger, telling him she’ll be a minute. Spinning back to me, she squints, waiting for me to continue. I guess I’ve lost all courage because I don’t say anything. The corners of her mouth tip down briefly. “Well, duty calls, boys. Flag me down if you need anything.”
Then she disappears.
“Fuckin’ pussy,” Tucker mumbles next to me.
I groan because he’s right. I am a pussy. I could have had her number ten times over now if I would just man up, but it’s hard. I’ve been out of the flirting-and-dating game for quite some time, so I kind of forgot how to play it.
What if I’m not ready yet? I think I am, but what if this is a sign? Should I just put aside the way she makes me laugh, makes my heart skip? Or how her smile makes me want to tell shitty jokes all day long just to get the corners of her mouth to turn up even a fraction?
If even thinking about dating is this stressful, there’s no way I’d survive an actual date. Fuck. I am so screwed.
5
Rae
I could strangle my best friend. She roped me into a double date that I do not want to go on.
First, I hate double dates. Second, why me? Third, did I mention my hatred for double dates?
Okay, fine. I’m in a bit of a sour mood, have been most of the week. I’m kicking myself in the ass for not being mature enough to talk to Hudson more the other night and for not growing a pair and asking for his number. This is the 21st century—girls can ask for a dude’s number. I was just too much of a chickenshit to do it.
So, yeah, I’ve been a sourpuss all week, bitching and moaning about everything, especially this bullshit double date and my lack of balls.
“Knock knock! You ready yet?” Maura lets herself into my small room, making herself comfortable on my bed. I glower at her. “Hey, don’t be mean. You’re going and that’s final.”
“You won’t even tell me who my date is!”
“That’s because I don’t even know who it is, you loser. That’s the whole point of a blind date.”
I grumble and spot her sporting a satisfied smirk in the mirror as I swipe on the last of my mascara. Maura looks adorable in a cute white and black strapless romper with a cropped black cardigan, a bright red belt, and black flats. She’s the only person I know in real life that can pull off a romper. She looks so sexy and edgy all at the same time with her blonde bob, bright red lipstick, and sultry body. She’s one of those naturally gorgeous girls, and I’d envy her if she wasn’t the world’s sweetest person.
Well, except for right now, because she won’t let me out of this horrible date.
“Let me get my flats on and I’ll be ready. Do I look okay? Am I dressed appropriately? I’m not sure since you still won’t tell me where we’re going.” I’m wearing simple skinny jeans, a fancy, silky army green tank top, and my usual minimal makeup. My curly auburn hair is spritzed with hairspray and hanging naturally. The whole look makes my green eyes pop out more than normal.
“You always look good, girl, and yes, you’re fine. The outfit is perfect.”
I trust Maura with every fiber of my being, so I don’t argue or double-check like most girls would. I nod and slip my feet into my slightly sparkly black flats. “Ready!”
“Good. We’re meeting the boys there. Want to take my car or yours?”
“I’ll let you drive since you know where you’re going and I have no idea at all—because you still won’t tell.”
“Works for me. By the way, you should know me well enough by now to know your passive aggressive remarks aren’t going to get you anywhere.” She smirks at me.
“Bitch.”
She winks at me over her shoulder as she opens my bedroom door, walking out into the living room. “I learned from the best.”
I laugh and follow her out, spying my sister relaxing on the red loveseat of our small two-bedroom apartment. She has a bag of cheese popcorn in one hand, a bag of Skittles in the other, and her e-reader sitting in her lap. She’s wearing lime green sweatpants, a Disney t-shirt, and has her hair up in a messy bun. I’m
guessing she’s not going out tonight.
“You look fabulous, ladies! Those boys are gonna have to pick their tongues up off the ground by the end of the night,” Haley tells us as we make our way to the front door. “Please be careful, and never leave your drinks unattended. Are you wearing underwear? You should always wear underwear on the first date. You never know what the guy may try, especially on a blind date. I can’t believe you agreed to a blind date, Rae. That’s absurd and completely out of your norm. Just please tell me you’re wearing underwear.”
Maura and I exchange mildly surprised looks and burst out laughing.
“How much sugar have you had tonight? Better yet, can I have some of whatever the hell it is you’re smoking? You’re nutty as hell, woman—and yes, we’re both wearing underwear.” I’m not sure if I just lied for Maura or not, but I know I’m wearing underwear.
“Good girls. Now run along. I apparently have some more sugar to eat and joints to smoke!” She waves as we walk out the door.
As I close the door, Maura turns to me. “Dude, your sister is so weird, and I love her so much for it.”
“I HEARD THAT! I LOVE YOU MORE, MAURIE!” Haley shouts through the door. That one sends us into another round of belly laughs.
Once we sober up, we begin making our way out of the building. I can feel Maura’s stare on me so I peek over at her and raise my eyebrow.
She sighs. “I know this isn’t your thing—it’s not even really my thing—but you can back out. I can’t. Last chance…you in or out?”
This time I really look at her. She’s biting her lip; it’s her tell. She wants me there, and I truly want to be there for her. She’s going to need some support. Am I excited about this blind date? Not really. I kind of figure the dude I’m being set up with is Tucker, and I’m not terribly excited about that. Truth be told, I want to wish for a miracle and pray Hudson is the one I’m being set up with. But, I highly doubt that’s the case. Tanner and Hudson didn’t seem buddy-buddy, and it’s logical to assume Tanner will bring his brother, even if neither of us are into each other.
But this isn’t about us. This is about Maura and Tanner, and I’m going to be there for her—even if I go kicking and screaming the entire way.
“Of course I’m in, goofball.” I pull her out the front door of the apartment building.
I push all my nerves aside as we climb into the car.
The ride is quick, leaving me no time to regret my decision. We pull into a relatively new open mic joint appropriately named Mic’s. It surprises me that Tanner would pick something like this—not that I really know the guy. This just doesn’t seem like a place he’d hang out.
“Tanner picked this? This doesn’t seem like a Tanner place,” I ask as we approach the front doors.
“I know, but honestly, he only acts like a player around his friends and brother. He’s been really sweet in all the texts and phone calls we’ve had this week.” Maura beams as we walk into the club.
I want to question her, ask why he feels like he needs to hide his sweet side around everyone else. Is it a macho man thing? A manipulative thing? I don’t know, but I’m not crazy about it—but, this isn’t about me and Maura seems happy, so I brush it off and walk in behind her.
“They’re here!” Maura squeals and hurriedly makes her way to our table, launching herself into Tanner’s arms, leaving me struggling to catch up.
As I approach, I’m surprised to find the table empty. Apparently Tucker isn’t here yet.
Tanner catches me looking at the empty chair, so he supplies the answer to my unasked question. “He’s in the bathroom. He’ll be right back.”
I nod and grab a stray napkin to give myself something to do while I wait for my date to come back.
“This is a cool place. I’ve been wanting to come here since it opened but never had a reason to before,” I say, trying to drum up some sort of conversation.
“The drinks are good and that’s about it. Not a place I would have picked, but I did agree to it. This was your date’s idea,” Tanner confesses.
I knew he wouldn’t have picked a place like this!
“I like it. Gives off a good moody, sexy vibe,” Maura says as she eyes Tanner. He waggles his eyebrows at her, causing her to break out in giggles.
Giggles—like a schoolgirl, not a twenty-two-year-old. I realize now that Maura may like Tanner a little more than she’s been letting on. Truthfully, I can kind of see why. He’s smooth, charming even, and I’d fall for it too if he didn’t give off a don’t-trust-me-as-far-as-you-can-throw-me-and-I’m-big-so-that’s-not-really-far kind of vibe. This concerns me for Maura.
As they cozy up next to one another, I sit back and enjoy the soft music coming from the stage. It’s good, very fitting for a place like this. I’m lost in the music, so I barely hear Tanner when he speaks up.
“Ah, he’s back.” Tanner nods his head at me to indicate I should look behind me. Maura gasps.
I don’t look, because I can tell it wasn’t a good gasp that just came out of her. Is it not Tucker? I assumed it would be him. Shit. What if it’s one of his soldier buddies? I’m not big into the whole soldier thing. I mean, it’s amazing that these people do what they do for their country, but that’s one of the things that scare me off: the uncertainty of everything involved.
I don’t want to turn around. I don’t want to know who it is, because it’s clearly not who we were expecting, which leaves me to believe it’s a stranger, someone I don’t know. I’m going to have to make idle chitchat with some random person, and I’m not one for idle anything.
The urge to be immature and bang my hands on the table washes over me. I just want to go home because I hate dates. I hate blind dates.
“Sorry about that.” The voice slides over me, and I freeze as my date sits down next to me. “I went to the bathroom and got a phone call I couldn’t miss.”
I know that voice. It’s a voice that’s been haunting me for the last three weeks. A voice I can’t seem to get enough of. A voice I’ve been dying to hear again. A voice that makes me want to love blind dates.
I suddenly don’t want to go anywhere. In fact, I kind of want to stay here forever.
I turn and say, “Hudson, good to see you again.”
HUDSON
I look like a fucking fish. My mouth is hanging open, and I can’t seem to get it to shut.
This is not what I was expecting. Rae is not who I was expecting, and judging by the look in her eyes, I’m not who she was expecting either.
I didn’t even know she and Maura were the double date type of friends. Hell, I didn’t know they were friends in general. I assumed they were coworkers when I saw them talking at Clyde’s.
So, Rae? Yeah, kind of the last person I was expecting.
As I had guessed, Tucker managed to get his ass out of the date and get me to go in his place. To be fair, he couldn’t really help it. I heard him puking his guts up at work earlier today, and he says he’s been at home vomiting since I sent him home earlier. So, I took his place because he didn’t want to let his brother down. I can respect that, but it’s not going to excuse him for leading me to believe this date was with someone other than Rae.
Fucking asshole! He knew that would be a big deal to me, knew I would have prepared more, wouldn’t have dragged my feet in agreeing to go in his place. He also knew I would have tried to wiggle myself out of this mess at the last minute because I’m so worried about screwing everything in my life up, I’d have let this opportunity pass me by.
So, I kind of want to kiss that asshole because I have a feeling he completely set me up.
I finally give myself a little headshake and find some manners. “Rae, it’s good to see you again, too. I had no idea you were my mystery date for the night.”
“Trust me, I’m equally surprised.” She looks over at Maura, who seems to be trying to discreetly shake her head back and forth.
“It was supposed to be Tucker!” she confirms, looking at Tanner
with accusing eyes.
“He got sick at the last minute and asked Hudson to step in,” Tanner says defensively.
I chuckle. “Well, I’m very pleased with the outcome. I apologize for not being here to greet you. Like I said, I had an important phone call to attend to.”
“That’s okay. Is everything all right?”
“Yep.” My mother had called about Joey, who was complaining of a tummy ache and wanting to talk with me. Honestly, I think Joey just missed me.
“Good. This is a nice place you chose. I really like it.”
“I’m glad you do. It’s one of my favorite places to come for drinks and good entertainment.”
“It’s a fucking performance club! That’s weird as shit. Why anyone would want to embarrass themselves in front of a bunch of strangers is beyond me,” Tanner interrupts.
“It’s not that bad, Tanner,” Maura says in a reserved tone.
“I think there’s something brave about it—strangers performing for strangers, opening their hearts on the stage, leaving it all up there, airing their dirty laundry. It seems freeing and brave,” Rae says, peeking over at me. I dip my head, agreeing with her wholeheartedly because that’s the exact reason I like the place.
“Whatever. You’re all on crack,” Tanner huffs.
I look at Rae and roll my eyes. “I completely agree with you.”
She smiles and picks up the menu. “I’m starving. What are you getting, Maura?”
I watch her, not even bothering to look at my menu. She’s not like most girls, that much I know. I haven’t been a on real date in years, but I do know that the last woman I went out with hardly touched her food and kept holding her hand over her mouth as chewed. From what my buddies say, they’ve had similar experiences. It’s nice to know Rae’s confidence carries over into something like this.
I feel like the more time I spend with her, the more I like her. I love that I’m constantly on my toes, never knowing what she’s going to say next. She unpredictable and I love it. Her eyes—the darkest green I’ve ever seen—are so honest, they draw me right in. When you combine them with her long auburn locks, pale peachy complexion, and the dusting of freckles across her nose, she’s just as gorgeous as her personality.
Here's To Box Set (Complete Series) Page 5
