“Tonight is your lucky night. I’m feeling generous. We’ll let you go with a warning.”
The teen boy swept Rocky with a contemptuous gaze. “Wow. Thanks. You’re so generous.”
Rocky fought the urge to pinch the spot between his eyes where a pain bloomed. He hated kids, especially sarcastic ones. Instead, he tried reasoning with the arrogant shit. “You’re trespassing, which is illegal.”
An ugly-sounding snort escaped the ungrateful brat. “I’m a minor. Trespassing is a misdemeanor. I’ll be fine.”
“You’ll be dead if you come back,” Rocky said through clenched teeth. God. He had been just like this asshole once upon a time. Rocky wanted to kick his own ass at the thought.
“Now that’s illegal,” the blond shithead shot back.
Rocky shook his head and turned away. He needed to talk to Hudson. He caught the stare of one of the night guards. “Take him to a bus stop and drop him.” He fought the urge to look the kid’s way. “Make sure it’s a stop that’s too far away from here to walk back.”
“Yes, sir.”
Rocky headed back to the house. He hurried, but still he wasn’t quick enough. It had taken him well over an hour to question the kid. Jinx was asleep. For a moment, Rocky watched him. He was such a peaceful sleeper. Love swelled in Rocky’s chest. Maybe Rocky wasn’t a soft person, but he loved Jinx. A lump grew in his throat. He loved Hudson too, and something wasn’t right with Hudson. Rocky left Jinx behind and moved to an empty room. He pulled out his phone and called Hudson.
He answered on the second ring. “I wondered when I’d hear from you.”
Hudson hadn’t bothered with pleasantries. Rocky wouldn’t either. “Why is your hair green again?”
“You know, Jinx and you fell in love with me with green hair. Now you’re both demanding to know why I would dare go back to that color. I’m starting to wonder if your love is conditional.”
Rocky rolled his eyes. “Nice dodge. Try again. What’s going on?”
A long, tired-sounding breath brushed the phone and came across the miles. “I’m just exhausted, sexy. It’s been a long three months and I miss my babies. That’s all. I’m tired.”
“Then come home. Take a break.”
Silence met his suggestion and Rocky realized how unrealistic his words had been. There was never enough time from show to show to do anything other than interviews and travel. He imagined Hudson was exhausted. Rocky wanted to help.
“Are you in bed yet?”
“Headed there now.” Rocky could hear the smile in Hudson’s voice.
Rocky sat on the floor of the empty bedroom and leaned against the wall. “Let me know when you’re tucked in.” He listened as things brushed the phone.
“Okay. I’m in bed.”
“Good. Close your eyes.” He waited for Hudson to confirm.
“Eyes closed.”
A smile tugged at the corners of Rocky’s mouth. “Let me hear you take a deep breath.” He listened as Hudson breathed. Rocky leaned his head back against the wall and closed his eyes. “I’m there with you, rubbing your back. Jinx is already asleep. The room is quiet.”
“You’re whispering you love us because you think we’re asleep.”
A surprised laugh burst from Rocky at Hudson’s interjection. “I tell you I love you when you’re awake too.”
“Do you, though? I mean, you’ve never done a grand declaration of love or anything. Not with me and not with Jinx, as far as I’ve seen. You just started saying you love us one day.”
“Grand declarations aren’t me, baby. I try to take care of you two and tell you both I love you. Other than that, I’m not very romantic or soft.” Rocky’s chest tightened at the confession. He rubbed the spot that ached. He realized how lacking he was the more he spoke. “I’m sorry I’m not better at this.”
“Don’t apologize. You don’t need to be soft. That’s Jinx’s job. I’m the romantic one. You have to be the one strong enough to keep us together. We each have a place, but sometimes we need to hear the words. I’m feeling pretty wiped clean right now. It’s not your fault.”
Rocky wanted to fix Hudson, but he didn’t know how. Words escaped him in his desperation. “I love you. Being with Jinx and you, that’s all I have. No one taught me how to be loving, but I can’t imagine my life without you two anymore. You two are the reason I wake up.”
Silence met his confession.
A soft chuckle escaped Rocky. “Did my declaration of love put you to sleep?”
“No. I was just thinking about life and our current situation. I love you too. When I get home, I’ll show you just how much.”
“I’ll hold you to that. You need to get some sleep, baby.”
Hudson’s voice seemed somewhat sluggish when he responded, as if sleep already tried pulling him under. “You too. Go hold Jinx for me.”
“I will. Love you and goodnight.”
“Goodnight.”
Rocky disconnected their call and stared at the blank wall across from him. There was definitely something going on with Hudson. Rocky wondered if Hudson had ever gone to therapy or if he was mostly just dark-natured. Not everyone was a ray of sunshine. Some people were cloudy days. The world needed both.
With no answer for anything, Rocky stood and headed back to his bedroom. He found Jinx still sleeping peacefully. Rocky stripped and joined Jinx in bed. The moment his head hit the pillow, Jinx snuggled closer, as if looking for Rocky’s warmth. Rocky towed Jinx into his arms. For a long time, he stared at the ceiling and held the other piece of his heart. A smile exploded across Rocky’s face from nowhere. It made sense he would fall for men who needed him. He was self-aware enough to know he thrived on being a caretaker. Rocky had watched over
