The audience laughed.
Tyler’s smile went through a series of transitions. One second it was fake, then real, and then pained. “Tell us a little about Jinx and Rocky.”
Hudson didn’t hesitate, even though he realized he should take heed. He hadn’t talked to Rocky or Jinx about revealing their lives. “Jinx is sound man for Zealous Blaze and Rocky is head of security for Zayn Tanaka, so they’re both successful men in their own right.”
“That’s amazing. Let’s talk about the album that comes with this book, Death is an Effortless Obsession. How do Rocky and Jinx feel about the songs included?”
It was obvious Tyler was just trying to get through the interview at this point. Hudson swallowed down another wave of unhappiness. He just wanted to go home. L.A. felt farther away than ever before. The depression he always barely kept at bay pressed against his brain. It was no one’s fault. Hudson had been born screwed up. Something inside him was barely attached to living. Thankfully, the moment he slid into the backseat of his hired car, Jinx’s name showed up on FaceTime. Hudson couldn’t answer fast enough.
“Hey, sweet baby.”
Jinx smiled like he couldn’t be happier to see Hudson’s face. “Hi.”
Rocky’s face leaned into the picture. “Hey. I made it too.”
“Damn.” The breathless curse slipped from Hudson. His chest felt like it might cave in. He missed them that much. “I love seeing your faces.”
“We watched you on the Tyler show.”
At Jinx’s claim, Hudson’s smile wavered. “Sorry if I embarrassed you.”
Rocky scowled. “Fuck that. We’re always proud of you.”
“Plus, we love everyone knowing you belong to us,” Jinx added.
Hudson relaxed deeper into his seat. He loved staring at his men. “I miss you both so much.”
“We miss you too.” Rocky sounded genuine.
Hudson’s chest ached. “Kiss. I want to watch.”
The pair immediately did as told, making Hudson’s eyes burn. Fuck. They were sexy. A voice interrupted in the background and they pulled apart.
Rocky cursed under his breath before focusing on Hudson. “I have to go. They caught someone on the property. I have to make the final call on whether the police are called. Love and miss you.”
“You too.” Hudson watched with his heart in his throat as Rocky stole another quick kiss and disappeared. The moment Hudson was alone with Jinx, Jinx’s gaze moved over Hudson’s features, as if inspecting his health.
“Why is your hair green again, baby?”
A lump formed in Hudson’s throat. He tried playing it off. “I thought you liked me in green?”
“I like you in everything. Now answer my question.”
“It’s nothing but a hair color, sweet angel. Tell me about your day.”
Jinx turned sideways on the screen, as if he settled onto his side with the phone. It was obvious he was snuggled up to his pillow. Hudson wanted to be there more than he wanted his next breath. “Well, I got up and took a shower before eating some toast. Around one, missing you got the best of me. So I cried and then took a nap.”
Hudson’s heart squeezed. “You have no idea how much I wish I was there.”
Jinx touched the screen, as if he could feel Hudson. “We’re halfway there. You’ll be home before I know it. That’s what I keep telling myself.”
A ragged-sounding breath escaped Hudson. “I don’t know what I would do if Rocky and you weren’t together. That’s the only thing keeping me sane. I can’t stand the thought of making you two miserable.”
Jinx sighed. “You don’t make us miserable. We just miss you. We knew this was part of the deal. Right now, I’m worried about you. Tell me how I can fix whatever is going on inside you.”
“I love you.” Hudson couldn’t stop the words from bursting from him.
“I love you too.”
“Make time go faster.”
Jinx smiled at Hudson’s demand. “I wish I could.” Jinx’s smile slipped away. His voice turned into a harsh whisper, as if he fought a wave of sadness. “New York is so very far away.”
The car came to a stop and Tito opened the door. Hudson barely spared anyone a glance as he headed inside his hotel. He kept his eyes glued to his phone while Tito kept him safe from fans. The moment the hotel room door closed behind him, Hudson sat down on the floor and leaned his back against the door. “Do me a favor.”
“Anything.”
Hudson smiled at Jinx’s immediate agreement. “Snuggle into your usual spot and pull the covers up.”
Jinx moved to do as told. The phone moved around, giving Hudson flashes of the bedroom. He was in Rocky’s bed. Longing hit Hudson like a ton of bricks.
Jinx’s face reappeared on the screen. “Okay. Done.”
“I’m going to tell you a bedtime story.”
Jinx’s smile made everything worthwhile. Hudson fell into a long, drawn out, and made-up story about a prince who fell in love with two bad boys. He revealed everything about himself in his bad-boy character. Hudson admitted to every mental failing. He droned on with no real point other than to watch Jinx fall asleep. Being away from Rocky and Jinx wasn’t good for Hudson’s already shaky mental health. He needed calming moments like these. Hudson would ramble for as long as it took to settle his heart. Soon enough, he would be home. Then he would never leave again.
Rocky’s skin itched with irritation. He had to work, but things always went wrong at the worst times. Hudson had been gone for three months. The good and bad days came in waves. Today was a bad day. Jinx and Rocky had each other. They were enough, but they also felt Hudson missing from them all hours of the day. Jinx needed a softness that Rocky didn’t have. Rocky wanted to reach through the miles and yank Hudson through space and time, dragging him back to them. It
