Page 31 of Hudson
Creed’s brow furrowed. “I hope she can give us something solid on her ex. From what I’ve read, she was smart to get out when she did.”
“I hope so too.” Hud tapped a finger against the table, the faint drone of traffic drifting in from outside.
Creed’s phone buzzed. He picked it up, face breaking into a grin, and answered. “Hey, baby.” His voice dropped to something softer.
Hud smiled and looked away. Blair’s laugh flickered at the edges of his mind uninvited. He watched Creed’s expression settle into that particular kind of fond amusement that belonged to men who had someone waiting for them. When Creed set the phone back down Hud leaned back in his chair.
“Abbie?”
“Just calling to say goodnight.” Creed picked at a stray piece of crust.
“You lucky bastard,” Hud muttered.
Creed chuckled. “You need a woman in your life, Hud. One woman.”
Hud’s jaw tightened. He dragged a hand through his hair. “I had a date Saturday. It was a disaster.”
Creed studied him over the top of his can. “What did you do?”
Hud’s lips curved into a half smile. “What makes you think I did something?” When Creed arched an eyebrow, Hud exhaled. “Yeah, okay.”
“What happened?”
Hud shifted forward, elbows on the table, and walked him through the night. He caught Creed stifling a laugh before he even finished.
“You think that’s funny?” Hud said.
“Hell, Hud.” Creed grinned. “You finally found a woman who won’t put up with your shit. The only reason you ever take someone out is for sex.”
“Like you were any different before Abbie.”
“I wasn’t. Just not as bad as you.” Creed shook his head. “I’m surprised your dick hasn’t fallen off.” He took a long pull of his beer.
Hud shuddered. “Don’t even joke about that.”
Creed set his can down and leaned forward. “Do you think she’ll call you?”
Hud stared at the wood grain. “Honestly? I don’t know. But I hope so. We had a good time until I tried to...” He waved a hand. “Rush things.”
“Take her to bed. You can say it.” Creed’s eyes held a teasing glint. “We all know how you operate.”
“I’m not that bad. Am I?”
“Maybe not,” Creed said, voice gentler. “But you go through women like a revolving door. Maybe if you stuck with one for a while you’d feel different. Give it a real shot.”
“Deke and Case seem happy enough.” Hud shrugged. “I just never pictured myself married with kids. And this job, Creed. You know better than anyone what it can take from you.”
Creed ran his thumb slowly along the scar on his cheek. “Yeah. I do.”
“That was a bad night.”
“Losing an agent on top of everything else.” Creed was quiet for a moment. “Let’s hope this one goes cleaner. I don’t trust White and I’ve never laid eyes on him. He ran this whole operation and I want him. Forthe thefts and for what he did to Rawley.”
“When I saw Rawley go down I was sure we’d lost him.”
“We would have if he hadn’t slid down that tree when he did. That last shot hit right where his head was.” Creed shook his head as he pushed back from the table, pulled a couple of paper towels from the roll, laid two slices of pizza on them and grabbed a fresh beer. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Eight o’clock at the truck.”
