Page 114 of Bridesmaid for Hire
Hudson sighs. “Yeah, I don’t know why, but I’ve seen it time and again with everyone—cousins, employees, friends. He does this. He picks on one person, insisting he’s helping them grow, but he’s really just antagonizing them. He did it to Jude, and it wasn’t until Jude basically told him to fuck off that my dad started respecting him. Now, I don’t suggest you do that since you work for us, but…just letting you know.”
I slowly nod as my nausea continues to stir. “I appreciate that.” I take another sip of my water.
“Are we good?” Hudson asks. “I really don’t want you thinking I’m some asshole who tries to steal another man’s girlfriend.”
“We’re good,” I say as I feel my stomach revolt.
Oh fuck.
Hudson sticks his hand out for a shake, but I turn away from him, grab the first thing I see—the ice bucket—and I barf up breakfast.
“Oh shit,” Hudson says as he comes up behind me and places his hand on my shoulder. “Dude, are you okay?”
I take a few deep breaths—away from the bucket. “I get…seasick.”
“Enough said. The captain carries nausea medicine. I can grab you some.”
“That’s okay. I can ask him.”
“Brody,” Hudson says, voice sincere, “I can do it. Let’s get you lying down first.”
Bucket and water in hand, Hudson guides me to the front of the boat where the girls are chatting. When Maggie looks up, I can see the concern in her eyes.
“Did he throw up?” she asks.
“Yeah,” Hudson says. “I’m going to get him some anti-nausea medication. I think he needs to lie down, but also fresh air will help him. I was going get him situated here.”
And I officially feel like a child.
Is he going to tuck me in as well and hand me a binky?
Either way…I don’t have it in me to care. I actually want to do what he says, though, because the boat is rocking too much for me, throwing off my equilibrium.
“I’ll take him,” Maggie says as she stands and loops her arm through mine.
Hudson takes off and the girls help me over to a lounge chair. They set it so it’s flat, and Maggie takes a seat first, then she has me lie down so my head is on her lap, my bucket and water in front of me.
“We can talk about the flower debacle later,” Haisley says.
“I have ideas, so don’t worry—we can handle it,” Maggie replies.
“I know. Thank you, Maggie.”
“Of course,” Maggie says as she slowly strokes my arm.
When they retreat, I feel her hand move up to my face and she runs a finger over my temple. “Brody, what on earth? I told you to take nausea meds.”
I don’t even argue with her. I grip her legs and I hold on tight, letting her soothe me as the boat rocks up and down.
It takes a few minutes, but when Hudson returns, he hands me an unmarked bottle. “Take two of these. You should feel better soon. The captain said take two every two hours. They’re natural so you don’t have to worry about overdosing, but they might just make you a little loopy.”
I thank him and then take two of the thick, grassy-tasting pills. When I rest my head back on Maggie’s lap, I savor the way she plays with my hair. “Thank you,” I say softly.
“You don’t need to thank me, Brody.”
“I know you’re irritated with me.”
“I’m not irritated with you,” she says.
