Page 221 of Bridesmaid By Chance
That makes me smile too because she’s right. “We balance each other.”
“I see it. And honestly, when I found out, I was more concerned about my husband and his reaction and how this might affect him. I never thought about my brother and that…that makes me sad. I don’t think he ever lets people think about him and his feelings; he’s always shouldering everyone else’s burdens.”
“He is, which is why I’m here. This is not his fight; this is mine. I want to be the one who stands up for him, who takes care of this. He needs someone being there for him, like he’s there for you and Hardy.”
Her lips turn up. “God, you’re…you’re going to make me cry.” She pulls me into a hug and whispers, “Thank you.” When she pulls away, she continues, “And I’m sorry that I came on strong. This is all brand-new, and I didn’t take in the information the way that I should have.”
“You also didn’t know that feelings were involved either. I hate to admit it, but I’ve liked him for a while now, ever since Bora Bora at your wedding.”
Her smile grows even wider now. “You know, I thought I caught you staring a few times.”
“How could I not?”
“I mean, I can certainly see why not. He’s my brother?—”
“Yeah, and your brother is hot.”
She laughs now and squeezes my arm. “Okay, please spare me the details.”
“Oh, just like you spared Stacey and me the details about you and Jude?” I give her a look. “I think I owe you way more details about me and Hudson.”
“How about you go talk to your brother instead?”
“That’s not going to get you out of what I owe you though,” I tease and reach for the door, but Haisley stops me.
“Two things. Thank you for loving my brother. I can’t wait to see you together and see how you make him happy. I honestly look forward to it.”
“Thank you.”
“Secondly, I would tread carefully with Jude. Also, I will back you up if you need me.”
“I appreciate that, but I think this is something I need to do on my own.”
“I understand.” She pulls me into a hug again and then whispers, “Good luck. He’s out back.”
“Thanks.”
I slip inside the house and head to the backyard.
I find him in a lounge chair, his back toward me, staring out toward the bay.
With my confidence intact, I walk right up to him and take a seat in the lounge chair next to him.
“Who was—” He pauses when he makes eye contact with me. “Sloane, what are you doing here?”
“We need to talk,” I say and watch his entire body grow tense.
“There is nothing that you and I need to talk about. This is between me and Hudson.”
“Actually, it’s not. It’s between you and me.” He goes to talk, but I press my hand to his arm and say, “Please, please let me get this out. I need you to understand before you make a judgment regarding what happened between me and Hudson.”
“There’s nothing to understand. He took advantage of you.”
“I took advantage of him,” I say, causing him to shake his head. “Please, Jude. Please just listen.”
His tongue slides over his teeth before he turns toward me and says, “Fine, talk.”
Here goes nothing.
