“Where are we going?”
Tito started the vehicle. The doors automatically locked as he shifted into Drive. “I told you to shut the fuck up. You’ve got nothing to say I want to hear.” Tito fell into an under-his-breath tirade as he drove. Hudson only caught bits and pieces of it. There was something about there being almost seven billion people in the world who would kill to have as much as Hudson, but no. Hudson had to be the ungrateful asshole blessed with everything. Hudson was mesmerized by Tito’s rage. He knew Tito had put up with a lot in the decade he had worked for Hudson, but still. Before Hudson grasped where they were headed, they had arrived at their destination. Tito slammed on the brakes and was out of the car in an instant. Hudson’s door flew open, and once again, Hudson was over his shoulder, fighting to breathe.
Light spilled from an open doorway. A familiar caustic-sounding voice greeted them. “Come on. This way.”
Hudson tried pushing himself out of Tito’s arms to explain and plead his case with Rocky. Tito smacked his ass so hard, it took Hudson’s breath. The world flew past him as Tito tossed him through the air. He landed with a bounce on a soft surface. Jinx looked every bit as surprised to see Hudson as Hudson was to find himself in Jinx’s bed.
“There, you selfish bastard. Explain to that one what you did.” Tito stormed away. Rocky followed him out. Hudson had a bad feeling Rocky was about to get an earful from Tito, and Hudson would spend the entire night being lectured by a new set of people.
Jinx set the book he had obviously been reading aside. He turned sideways on the bed and leaned back against the wall. It was obvious Jinx had been sitting in bed and relaxing before Hudson had been tossed into his life. He only wore a pair of thin workout shorts and nothing else.
“Hey beautiful.”
Jinx smiled at the compliment. “What did you do to piss off Tito?”
“I climbed a balcony.”
Jinx’s smile grew. “That doesn’t seem so bad.”
“I was three floors up at the time.”
Jinx’s smile fell. He eyed Hudson in a way that immediately slowed his heart rate and lowered his blood pressure. There was something special about Jinx. He was soothing. Hudson didn’t feel judged.
“Do you want to tell me what’s going on?”
Hudson crossed his ankles and settled deeper into Jinx’s pillows. Now that he was here, Hudson didn’t want to be anywhere else. “I have green hair.”
Jinx’s face screwed up in confusion. “You always have brightly colored hair. What does that matter?”
A smile snapped to Hudson’s lips. “Don’t you know? Green hair is always the final stage of a mental breakdown.”
To his surprise, Jinx reached out and took Hudson’s hand. “Are you still on your meds?”
Hudson nodded. As Hudson looked on, Jinx toyed with his fingers. He kept his sexy light blue eyes locked on their joined hands. Hudson’s chest filled with an unnamed emotion. Jinx’s shoulders expanded and fell. It was obvious he still tried absorbing everything. He saw the ugly in Hudson. There was no going back.
Finally, Jinx’s gaze met his again. “You’ll stay here with me. I’ll take care of you.”
“You tried to jump from the balcony,” Rocky roared, coming through the bedroom door.
Hudson winced. “I didn’t plan to jump.”
Rocky stood, looming over Hudson with his hands on his hips. “What was your plan?”
Hudson shrugged. “To let the gods decide if I lived or died.” It hit him. They had decided.
With an eye roll, Rocky climbed onto the bed and sat cross-legged on the opposite side of Hudson, facing Jinx. “You’re an idiot.”
“So they tell me,” Hudson said, unfazed. There was nothing Rocky could say Hudson hadn’t heard before.
“Are you on drugs?”
It was Hudson’s turn to roll his eyes at Rocky’s question.
Jinx came to his rescue. “Hudson doesn’t even drink, much less do drugs. He’s unhappy.”
“I’d be unhappy too if I didn’t as much as drink,” Rocky muttered under his breath, but he stroked Hudson’s stomach.
The backs of Hudson’s eyes burned. Tito had brought him to the right place. Hudson was fairly certain these were his only friends. He wished he wasn’t a mess. They deserved better. Hudson didn’t want to show any weakness. He needed to change the tone. “Have you two even kissed yet?”
The pair focused on him with an unnatural intensity, as if they fought not to look at each other.
“Don’t change the subject,” Rocky said at the same time as Jinx said, “No.”
Hudson glanced between them. “Why? You obviously want each other.” He pointed at Jinx. “You always look at him,” Hudson said, moving his finger Rocky’s way, “when he’s not looking, and you always look his way,” Hudson went back to pointing at Jinx, “when he’s not looking at you. So what’s the deal?” No one answered. Hudson decided he knew best. “Kiss.”
“Hudson, I don’t think—”
“No back talk,” Hudson said, interrupting Jinx. “I want you two to kiss. This has gone on too long.”
Rocky took an audible breath. “If we kiss, will you talk to us?”
Hudson didn’t need to think about it. If they finally kissed, there would be no talking. “Sure.”
Jinx shifted to his knees. “Fine.” He leaned across Hudson like he fully intended to quickly press his lips to Rocky’s and move away. The most intense longing Hudson had ever witnessed crossed Rocky’s features. The moment Jinx was within striking distance, Rocky’s hand shot out. He buried his fingers in Jinx’s hair and hauled him forward. Rocky held tight as he delved deep. Hudson’s body stirred as he watched the pair. It was just a kiss, but it was like watching the hottest sex imaginable. The desire blasting from the pair was almost tangible. Hudson took a breath and soaked up their love. For reasons he couldn’t explain, Hudson felt a little better about life. Even if their love didn’t extend to him, they made him feel something. He
