Page 218 of Bridesmaid By Chance
With my phone hooked up to the Wi-Fi, I start a new text message and send it.
Sloane: Hey Hardy, it’s Sloane. Not sure if you have my number. I know I’ve put you and Hudson in a hard spot and I’m sorry. I want to make it better and in order to do that, can I ask you something?
I wait for a response.
Everyone around us is either sleeping or watching the in-flight entertainment. I have my eyes onThe Fall Guywith Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt, but there is no way I’m going to be able to focus until I figure out what I’m going to do with Jude.
My phone buzzes, and a text comes through from Hardy.
Hardy: It’s not your fault, Sloane, but I appreciate you wanting to make it better. How can I help?
I look over at Hudson again to make sure he’s asleep, then text Hardy back.
Sloane: Growing up, has Hudson always shouldered the responsibility of everyone else’s problems, trying to find solutions for them?
Hardy: Absolutely.
Sloane: Has he been the kind of big brother Jude is, where he will make sure his siblings are happy before him?
Hardy: Hate to admit it, because it makes me look like a selfish ass, but yes.
Sloane: Has anyone ever really stood up for him? Or has he just taken what’s handed to him in order to make others happy?
Hardy: Well, fuck, Sloane. Didn’t think you were going to be asking these kinds of questions.
Sloane: LOL, I’m sorry. I just want to make sure I understand him, since he’s kind of in a weird state right now.
Hardy: I don’t think anyone has stood up for him, not even me. What’s going on? Is he okay?
Sloane: Yesterday was brutal. When he got back, I didn’t allow him to apologize because I was so angry, then at the wedding, he attempted to apologize and I didn’t let him. Whenwe got back, I tried to leave the hotel with my things, and he stopped me, pleaded with me to stay. We talked and well…he told me he loved me.
Hardy: What? He did? Jesus, I had no clue.
Sloane: Neither did I. This was after he had a conversation with Jude, which I overheard. He didn’t know at the time that I was listening. Jude told him to basically give me up and that he was going to figure out what to do with the business. Hudson is in bad shape. He’s clinging to me and I think he’s still of the belief that he needs to let me go.
Hardy: Fuck, I wish he told me.
Sloane: Seems like he just shoulders everything and that’s why I wanted to talk to you, because when we get back, I’m going to talk to Jude. If Hudson is always trying to put everyone first but himself, it’s about time someone put him first.
Hardy: You’re right, Sloane. You’re absolutely right and I’m sorry I haven’t done that. I’m grateful that you are.
Sloane: This isn’t a slight against you, Hardy. Trust me when I say, as a younger sibling, I know what it means to be protected. It’s rare to see a moment when the protector has to be protected. This is that moment and I want to be the one to be there for him.
Hardy: Thank you.
Sloane: You don’t need to thank me. This is what I want.
Hardy: Can I ask you a question?
Sloane: Of course.
Hardy: Did you tell him you loved him back?
Sloane: Without a pause.
Hardy: Good. I didn’t think I would ever see the day when Hudson fell in love, but here you are. From the sounds of it, it doesn’t seem like you would, but please don’t hurt him. He’sbeen through enough. I don’t think he could survive losing someone like you.
Sloane: I have zero intentions of hurting my husband.
