“As a friend,” Cooper said, expounding on his claim. “You’re nice and you took me in, but you’re also kind of dumb. Jinx and Hudson obviously still love you. They asked about you and looked wrecked when I told them you’re sad.”
“You told them I’m sad.” Cooper really was an asshole.
“Yes. I told them you’re sad because you are, and you’re also stupid as fuck. You have two men who want you and you’re sitting here with me.”
Rocky kind of wanted to punch the kid, but he didn’t. “Yeah, well, I like you too as a friend. You shouldn’t be alone.”
Cooper moved a piece, checking Rocky’s king. “Checkmate. Maybe I should move in with Jinx after all. Then you’ll have to come too to keep me from being alone.”
“It’s not that simple.”
Cooper stood. “Actually, I think it’s not that hard.” Cooper walked away, leaving Rocky alone with his thoughts. Rocky didn’t like it. In fact, he hated the silence he used to love. He wondered what Hudson and Jinx were doing tonight. Never in his life had he hurt this badly. He hadn’t thought he could lose Jinx and Hudson. Obviously, he had been wrong. Rocky shoved the board from the table, sending chess pieces flying. Cooper was right. Rocky was dumb as hell, but it was too late to change his mind. Hudson and Jinx were moving on without him. They would be married soon. There was no going back. He had lost everything.
Ten
With his heart in his throat, Jinx held Hudson’s stare while Hudson repeated his vows. On a private beach in Hawaii, in the most beautiful spot Jinx had ever stood, Jinx listened to every word, spoke when prompted to speak, and kissed when told to do so. When their lips met, air finally filled Jinx’s lungs. Happy tears fought to escape. It was done. They had done it. He was Jinx Vincent. It was the most wonderful moment of his life.
Hudson pressed his forehead against Jinx’s. For a moment, they stared into each other’s eyes. They felt more connected than ever before. Jinx soaked up the love.
“I love you.”
Jinx smiled. He swore sometimes Hudson could read his mind. “I love you too.”
Bubbles hit Jinx in the face, making him laugh. As their only witness, Tito had taken it upon himself to man every open position in the wedding party. He had thrown flower petals and played ring bearer as well as best man. Now he blew bubbles in their faces while cheering loudly. Hudson snatched Jinx from his feet and ran for the beach house. Tito chased them, still trying to be their one-man party. Jinx imagined they looked insane to the man who had been hired to officiate. Likely he was also relieved to be set free so he could sell the story to the tabloids. All Jinx cared about was the endgame. They were married now. He couldn’t believe it. When he had met Hudson, Jinx never thought they would come this far.
Tito abandoned them at the door of their honeymoon house before he got a show. Their lips met as Hudson crossed the threshold with Jinx in his arms. Jinx’s chest filled with pride.
“I’m disappointed in your decision to get married here.”
Jinx’s head whipped around at the familiar sound of Rocky’s voice. Anger, hurt, and something else he didn’t want to look too closely at exploded through him at the sight of Rocky.
Hudson let Jinx slip to his feet. He kept his arms wrapped around him, drawing him back against his chest. “Did you picture something different?” Hudson sounded calm. Jinx couldn’t decide how to feel. Rocky looked gorgeous. Relaxed. His t-shirt protested his muscles. His shorts showed off his thick legs. Jinx couldn’t stop staring at him.
Rocky’s gaze moved between them. “Yeah, I guess I did. I thought you would have a big wedding where Zayn’s mom could fuss over you and Cooper could be there. You deserved the limelight and all the guys on the security team wanted to take part.”
Hudson lazily stroked Jinx’s stomach as he responded. “My dream was always different. I always thought Jinx and I would marry just like this and then we’d have a big commitment ceremony where you joined us for a handfasting-type thing, since you didn’t want to get legally married. Of course, that was before you ignored our every attempt to make things right.”
Jinx wanted to speak up and have his say too, but he hurt too badly with Rocky standing there.
Rocky pulled a pained face. When he spoke, his voice sounded strained. “I couldn’t miss this day. I had to be here.”
“You’re supposed to be here.” The words burst from Jinx with a passion he couldn’t control. They needed to be said. Even if it was Hudson and Jinx’s wedding, Rocky had been meant to stand with them. They were supposed to be a team, facing the world and life together.
Hudson kissed Jinx’s temple before turning his attention to Rocky. “Jinx is right. You were always supposed to be with us. I’m sorry I drove you away. I’m sorry I’m too much.”
Jinx squeezed the arm Hudson had wrapped around his chest. Tears pricked his eyes at the pain in Hudson’s voice. He knew Hudson had to say what was in his heart. Hudson’s thoughts still stabbed Jinx through the heart. He hated hearing Hudson apologizing for something he couldn’t change.
Rocky moved closer. He held Hudson’s stare. “You’re not too much. I’m not enough. No one taught me to be soft or loving. I’m learning as I go. You’re not the issue. I got scared. Not because of you, but because of me. I’m beyond terrified I’ll fail you both.” Rocky blinked, as if coming back to himself. “I guess I already did that.”
“Only if you walk out that door and leave us again,” Hudson said, sounding harder than Jinx had ever heard him sound. “If you give up on the love we built, then yeah. You’ve failed
