Page 4 of Heartsmashed
“And yet I didn’t need help climbing up five flights of stairs.” He kept a hold on me and I shrugged him off.
“I do not need guidance,” I said, even as I stumbled over absolutely nothing and grabbed the back of my couch to steady myself. “I am perfectly capable of?—”
My foot caught on the rug—stupid rug—and down, down, down I went. I fully expected to feel my cheek slap against the asshole rug, but before I hit the floor, Hudson was there blocking me with his body.
“You’re a disaster.”
“I’m adelight, thank you very much. People tune in every night for my charm and wit.”
“No, people tune in because you’re a mess and they can’t stop watching the train wreck.” He forced me back on the couch and, when he was happy I wasn’t going anywhere, walked past me to set my keys on the counter.
In the same spot Peter had left his keys every night he was here.
Seven weeks, five days, and… Shit. I didn’t know how many hours had passed now since I’d left the studio to have drinks with my brother and lost track of time.
Seven weeks.
Which, apparently, was enough time for Peter to not only move on, but be serious enough with someone to go on a weeklong trip. One he hadn’t even wanted to go on with me.
And knowing I’d be there?
I pushed off the couch and headed for the kitchen for another drink. I was already drunk, but I wasn’t at thePeter who?level yet.
“No,” Hudson said.
“I didn’t ask.”
“You need sleep, not more alcohol.”
“Now that’s where you’re wrong. This is what people do in times of emotional distress.”
I grabbed a glass but he took it from me, flipped on the tap, and loaded it up with water. The look on his face was far too superior as he handed me the full glass. “Drink up.”
I briefly considered my options as far as getting by him went, but he was too sober and I was too tired, and so water would have to do. “You’re the worst,” I muttered, then leaned back against the counter and took a couple long swallows.
“Apparently I am. I thought taking you out would get your mind off things.”
Yeah, maybe hearing about the latest book deal he and Drew were fighting over had given me a few minutes’ reprieve from thebomb he’d dropped, but the news was still there, lingering in the back of my mind, ready to pounce again.
“Do you want to talk about it?”
I shook my head. “Nope.”
I’d talked him to death already, and even I was sick of hearing about it.
Like a good boy, I finished off my water and headed toward my bedroom in what I was sure was a very straight line. Hudson gave me space, but I could feel him following me.
“You stayin’ or something?” I held on to the edge of my dresser as I kicked my shoes off.
“Do you need me to?”
“No. I’m just gonna pass out, and when I wake up, everything will be back to normal.” Collapsing back onto the mattress, I let out a heavy sigh and realized how tired I was.
Of all of it. Being sad. Being pissed off. Of wondering where I went wrong.
“Try to get some sleep,” Hudson said. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”
He turned to leave, and I sat up on my elbows. “Hudson?”
