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“So tell me the truth; is Travis Travers really as hot in person as they say he is?” Sara, Hudson’s youngest sister leans in from her spot next to me on the couch where we’re watching her family laugh and talk while opening presents.

Sara, who just got back from Europe six days ago, is everything Hudson said she would be and so much more. Being only a year apart in age, Sara and I hit it off instantly and have spent the last several hours chit chatting like old friends.

“He’s definitely better looking in person than he is in pictures.” I keep my voice low.

“Holy hell. Is that even possible?” She fans her face, her cropped bangs floating up and down as she does.

Sara, like Hudson’s other two sisters, is very pretty. Only unlike Kelly and Brittany, Sara is petite which makes her even cuter. All three girls favor their mom with little characteristics of their father’s showing through.

Kelly is all mom, very put together and nurturing. She embraced me over the summer when I met her at one of Hudson’s shows and she’s made me feel very much a part of the family since that day.

Brittany is far more timid, having barely spoken five words to me since we got here. She has a hoop nose ring and wild colors streaking her dirty blonde hair. Wearing tight jeans and an even tighter top with slashes up the sides, it’s clear that Brittany is the black sheep. And given the man with her tonight, I’d say she gravitates toward other black sheep.

Her boyfriend, Holly, is someone I would immediately avoid if I came across him in public. Long black hair, a lip ring on each side, and tattoos running up his arms and neck. Don’t get me wrong, I totally get the bad boy charm, but Holly is not your typical hot bad boy. Holly comes across more like an ex-convict that looks higher than a kite. Everything about him screams trouble.

Like Brittany, he’s barely spoken to anyone and if I had to bet I’d say he didn’t come here willingly. Both Hudson and his father seem to dislike the guy. Not that I can say I blame them. After overhearing the way he was talking to Brittany on the porch earlier, it’s rather surprising the Demasi men haven’t removed him from the equation altogether. Although, had they heard what I did they just might have.

“Those two.” Sara laughs next to me as Kelly’s three year old twin boys fight over a toy car. Both boys got the same car but one is red and one is blue, and both want the red one. “You should have seen them last month at their birthday party. I didn’t make it but I was on Facetime with Mom while they were opening gifts and I gotta tell you, I don’t know how Kelly still has hair.” She chuckles.

“I’m guessing that’s probably thanks to him.” I nod toward Kelly’s husband, Theo, who scoots between the two boys and calmly tries to resolve the issue.

“You got that right.” Hudson leans in next to me making me realize he’s been paying attention to our conversation. I immediately wonder how long he’s been listening and if he caught what I said about Travis Travers being hot. “Kelly is extremely lucky to have Theo. As are their boys.”

“He really is a great dad,” Sara agrees. “You would be too, ya know.” She grins at Hudson before turning her gaze on me. “What about you, Lennon? You wanna do this one day?”

“What? Kids?” I question, wanting to make sure I’m following.

“Yeah. You know, marriage, children, the whole shebang.”

“I mean, yeah I guess. Maybe one day.” I shrug, playing it casual even though the thought of having kids of my own freaks me the hell out. I do want them, just not anytime soon.

“Hudson wants a big family,” Sara announces and I instantly look to Hudson for confirmation.

“Really?” I question, for some reason finding this hard to believe.

“Really.” He grins.

“How big of a family?” I ask, deciding to take this opportunity to learn as much as I can.

“At least three kids, but I think I’d like closer to four or five.”

“Four or five?” I gape at him.

“Too many?” He chuckles.

“Well, you’re going to be thirty-two. If you’re planning on having that many kids you probably need to get started sooner rather than later.”

“Is that an offer?” He laughs when my gaze widens.

“Definitely not.” I shake my head adamantly, causing him to laugh harder.

“Well brother, if you’re trying to freak her out I think you’ve succeeded,” Sara interjects as she stands. “I’m going to make me another drink.” She shakes her empty glass at me. “Wanna come with?”

“Yes.” I stand, suddenly feeling quite parched. “I’ll be right back,” I tell Hudson before following his sister out of the room.

Don’t get me wrong, the thought of having children with Hudson sounds amazing. I can already envision little dark haired boys and girls running around the house, but having children in general scares the hell out of me.

“Here, you look like you could use something a little stronger than wine.” She takes the long stem glass from my hand and sets it on the counter.

I’m not a huge wine drinker but I felt obligated to when Hudson’s mom offered me a glass. I’ve been nursing the same drink for nearly two hours now.

“I’m good,” I tell her, not sure what about my expression tells her otherwise.

“If you mean good as in all the color drained from your face from that conversation, then yeah, you’re perfect.” She giggles, generously pouring vodka into two different glasses.

“No it didn’t. I want kids,” I insist.

“I’m not saying you don’t.” She smiles, topping off the vodka with cranberry juice before sliding one of the glasses into my hand. “But you’re clearly not there yet.” She takes a sip of her drink and sighs. “That’s better.”

“You’re not wrong there. I would love to have kids with Hudson one day.”

“Just not today,” she finishes my thought.

“Exactly.” I nod, taking a long drink as I lean against the counter. My gaze darts around the beautiful kitchen that’s made up of dark woods and light granite. The contrast between the two is just enough to give the room a wow factor.

Hudson’s parents’ house is incredible. At least four times the size of the house I grew up in and ten times grander. It’s a huge two story brick house set back from the road and surrounded by tons of land. I learned earlier that his parents’ had this house built when Hudson was six.

“You two are good for each other.” Sara brings me back to the conversation. “I’ve only ever seen him with Steph and he never looked at her the way he looks at you.” Her words send a whooshing feeling through my gut. “It’s clear he really loves you.”

“I really love him.” I smile, taking another drink.

“Also clear.” She gives me a knowing smirk.

“Y’all hiding out in here now?” I look up just in time to see Kelly enter the room. She heads straight for Sara, snagging the glass out of her hand the moment she reaches where we’re standing.

Taking a healthy gulp, she moans around the drink before handing the glass back to her sister.

“Um, excuse you.” Sara sighs, her voice full of playful annoyance. “Get your own.”

“We’re sisters. What good are sisters if they can’t share their alcohol?” She reaches over and takes my glass next, taking a long pull from my cocktail as well.

“Welcome to the family,” Sara mutters, giving her sister an innocent smile as she hands me back my glass.

I’m not usually one for sharing drinks, but I have to admit I like that she included me. Kelly has a way of making me feel like I belong.

Twenty minutes and two drinks later, the three of us are standing around the kitchen island laughing as Kelly retells the story of when Hudson stuck an entire pack of his mother’s maxi pads to the back of the bathroom door thinking they were stickers.

I’m buckled over, clenching my stomach – which physically hurts from laughing – when I catch sight of Hudson leaning inside the doorway watching us. Kelly notices him at the same time I do and instantly stops talking.

“Why are you standing there like a creeper?” Sara asks, spotting him as well.

“Just seeing what you ladies are up to.” He gives her a dimple filled grin. “I see you all are trying to corrupt my woman.”

“Corrupt, no. Inform, yes.” Kelly giggles, clearly feeling the effects of the very strong drink Sara made for her.

“Don’t you ever get tired of telling the pad story?” he asks, arching a brow at his sister.

“Are you kidding me? Best story ever!”

“Sorry, Hud, but I have to agree,” Sara chimes in.

“You two.” He shakes his head, humor etched across his handsome face.

“You love us and you know it.” Sara sticks her tongue out at her big brother.

“And you’re lucky for it.” He chuckles, dropping an arm around my shoulder seconds after joining us at the island.

“I think you’re the lucky one,” she quips, eyeing him over her glass as she takes a drink.

“What’s everyone drinking?” He looks around at all three of our glasses which are getting very close to needing refills.

“Vodka and Cranberry. You want one?” Kelly offers.

“I’ll pass.” He shakes his head and crinkles his nose. “I think I’ll just grab a beer.”

“Lennon, you want another?” Sara offers, following Hudson to the refrigerator to extract the cranberry juice from the door.

“No, I’m good.” I wave her off. “I do, however, need to run to the bathroom,” I say, finishing off the last of my beverage before turning to drop my glass in the sink.

“Breaking the seal.” Kelly clucks her tongue on the roof of her mouth.

“World’s tiniest bladder. Be right back.” Dropping a kiss to Hudson’s cheek, I slip out of the kitchen and down the hall toward the first floor powder room.

Just as I’m reaching for the door knob, something that sounds an awful lot like crying has me stopping. Turning, I look to my left and then my right, deciding it must be coming from Hudson’s father’s office. It’s the only other room on this side of the house.

I know I should mind my own business but knowing that and doing that are two very different things. When I reach the office the door is cracked open just enough that I can see who’s inside. Holly and Brittany. Having already witnessed a pretty nasty altercation between the two of them on the porch earlier this afternoon, I have no desire to subject myself to another one, but something about the way Holly is hovering over Brittany makes it impossible for me to walk away.

“You fucking bitch. How dare you embarrass me,” Holly grinds out in a low tone seconds before a smack echoes through the room.

I blink slowly, not having a good enough view to know whether or not that slap connected with Brittany or something else. For his sake I hope it’s the second, but something tells me it’s not.

Wedging the door open further, I quietly step into the doorway.

“I wasn’t... I didn’t mean to,” Brittany stutters, her voice shaking.

“You didn’t mean to?” he questions, rearing back his fist.

“I knew better than to come here. You all think you’re so much fucking better than me. But you aren’t. You’re fucking trash. You’ve always been trash and you will always be trash. No one will ever want you. Hell, I don’t want you.”

This time the hit is unmistakable. I watch as his arm swings, his palm connects with her cheek, and the sound of the connection bounces off the walls around us.

“That’s enough.” I step into the room, the words tearing from my throat as I close in. Holly turns to look at me, a murderous look on his face.

“You can mind your own fucking business, bitch,” he spits, taking a commanding step toward me.

“You made it my business when you put your hands on Hudson’s sister.” My voice holds surprisingly strong. My actions fueled by pure adrenaline and the slight buzz of alcohol in my veins.

“Turn the fuck around and leave,” he warns, closing the small distance between us.

“No.” I stand my ground, looking around him to Brittany. “Get out of here,” I tell her. Her shocked expression only intensifies as she makes no attempt to go anywhere, tears flowing down her pink cheeks.

“I said, turn the fuck around and leave. And don’t even think about saying a fucking word to anyone.” Holly leans in so close I feel his breath hot on my face.

“You’ve clearly misjudged me,” I whisper, taking a deep breath. “Hudson!” I scream. “Hudson!” I get out a second time before Holly’s hand covers my mouth. He twists me against him, trying to keep me from leaving the room.

I hear Hudson before I see him. His footsteps pounding down the hallway toward us. I’ve managed to wrestle myself free and am stumbling toward the door just as Hudson appears, face drawn in confusion as he assesses the situation.

“What the fuck?” He looks from Holly, to his sister, to me.

“Hudson wait!” Brittany jumps into action as Hudson takes a step toward Holly. “It’s not what you think,” she quickly tries to explain.

“Are you kidding me?” I scream at her, Hudson’s gaze cutting to me. “He hit her,” I tell him, my voice taking on a slight shake.

“I didn’t fucking touch her,” Holly spits overtop of Brittany who’s acting as a barrier between her boyfriend and brother.

“I saw you,” I scream at Holly.

“You didn’t see shit, bitch.” The words have barely left his mouth, but Hudson’s already in motion. He moves his sister to the side and swings, his fist instantly connecting with the side of Holly’s face. Holly stumbles back, clearly surprised, but quickly recovers. Lunging for Hudson, he tackles him on top of the large desk that sits in the middle of the room, the momentum causing both of them to crash to the floor seconds later.

Everything happens so fast and yet almost feels like it’s taking place in slow motion. Hudson rolls on top of Holly and lands two good punches before Holly clocks Hudson under the chin, catching him off guard so he’s able to take the upper hand and roll on top of Hudson.

It doesn’t take long for the power to once again shift, and when it does I fear Hudson will kill Holly if someone doesn’t stop him.

Brittany’s screaming, trying to peel her brother off of her boyfriend and I’m frozen, not really sure what to do. Finally Hudson’s dad comes storming into the room. It takes him a split second to take in the scene before he jumps into action, pulling his son up like he weighs next to nothing before slamming him into the bookshelf along the back wall.

“Stop,” he warns. Hudson’s glazed vision seems to clear the instant he registers his father’s voice. “What the hell is going on in here?” He looks around at each one of us.

“That mother fucker put his hands on Brittany.” Hudson is the first to speak.

“I didn’t fucking touch her,” Holly screams, stumbling to his feet as blood pours from his nose.

“Lennon saw you.” Hudson makes an attempt to move but his father’s arm shoots out, holding him in place.

“Did he?” Thomas’ gaze moves to me, looking for me to confirm what Hudson’s telling him.

I manage a quick nod, still frozen in place.

“Come with me,” Kelly says as she enters the room, ushering a crying Brittany out into the hallway.

“You have about five seconds to get the hell out of my house before I call the police,” Thomas says to Holly, his voice eerily calm.

“Fine. But she’s coming with me.” He gestures toward the door that Brittany just exited through.

“Like hell she is,” Hudson grinds out, looking like he’s seconds away from going after Holly again.

“Get out of my house,” Thomas repeats.

“Or what?” Holly smiles wide, his front teeth red with blood.

“Lennon, will you please tell Mary to call the police,” Thomas requests, his eyes never leaving Holly.

Again, all I can do is nod before quickly exiting the room, not looking at Hudson’s three sisters who are grouped at the end of the hall as I do.

—-

It’s nearly forty-five minutes later when Hudson comes out on the back deck and finds me huddled under a fleece throw blanket in one of the chairs furthest from the door.

Flopping down into the chair next to me, he lets out a slow breath and stares out into the backyard.

“Everything okay?” I ask when he makes no attempt to say anything.

After Mary called the police, I hung around long enough to give the responding officers my statement before sneaking outside, feeling like I was intruding on a family matter that I had no business being a part of.

I was able to hear some of what was happening after they pulled Holly outside. He was not quiet about voicing his discontent. But other than Holly, I couldn’t hear anyone else. Probably because he was the only one yelling the entire time.

“I’m so fucking sorry, Lennon.” Hudson turns his head to meet my gaze. “I’m sorry you had to see all that.” He gestures toward the house. “Not really how I’d planned our first Christmas with my family.”

“Hey.” I squeeze his hand. “You don’t have to apologize to me. It’s not as if my family is perfect. Trust me; we’ve had a few dramatic evenings in the Claire household over the years.”

“You probably think I have zero self-control. Fuck. I swear I don’t make it a habit of walking around beating people up.” He chuckles, despite the seriousness in his voice.

“If I were in your shoes I would have done the same thing.” I had considered laying a good one on Holly myself, but figured it would probably hurt me more than it would him. “I’m just glad you’re not the one they ended up taking to jail this time.”

“You and me both,” he agrees. “I’ve been in three fights in my entire life and two of them have been in the last four months with you bearing witness.”

“Are you saying it’s my fault?” I flatten my palm against my chest and smile, trying to lighten the mood.

“No. Well, maybe a little.” He grins. “They arrested Holly.”

“Good,” I say, not trying to hide the disdain in my voice. The longer I sat out here the more pissed off I became about what happened. I still can’t believe that asshole had the balls to put his hands on Brittany with her entire family in the house.

“How’s Brittany?”

“Pissed.” He shrugs. “She did finally admit that he hit her and apparently it’s not the first time.”

“I don’t get it. Why was she trying to protect him?” I question, shifting sideways in my chair.

“Well that’s just it. I don’t think it was him she was trying to protect, it was herself.”

“I’m confused.”

“Apparently Holly isn’t just Brittany’s boyfriend. He’s also her H dealer.”

“H?” I question.

“Heroin.” 

“Wait, so Brittany?” I let the question hang.

“Is a Heroin addict.”

“But she doesn’t look anything like an addict.” Sure, she’s a little less put together than the rest of her family but I never would have pegged her as a druggie. Holly, yes. Brittany, no.

“She’s only been using about three months. I get why it would be hard for you to tell because this is the first time you’ve met her, but I could tell something was off.”

“God, Hudson, I’m so sorry.” I reach over and grab his hand.

“Apparently Holly got her hooked. I knew he was bad news. We all did. We tried for weeks to talk her out of moving to Arkansas with him but she claimed she was in love and refused to listen to reason. I was shocked that they actually showed tonight. It’s the first time she’s been back to Texas in over a year. Now it all makes sense.”

“What does?”

“She was here for money.”

“Did she admit all this?”

“Not in so many words, but yes. The police found drugs and drug paraphernalia in Holly’s car when they searched it. She didn’t have a choice but to admit she has a problem after that.”

“Where is she now?”

“Upstairs with Kelly and Sara. They’re going to stay with her tonight. My parents are going to see about getting her checked into a rehab facility. She doesn’t want to go, claims she’s in control and there isn’t a problem, but of course that’s what most addicts say.”

“Can they force her to go?”

“No, but I think my mom is hoping that the other two girls can convince her. Growing up they were all thick as thieves. I know Brittany still values what they have to say. Maybe they can get through to her.”

“I hope so.”

“Me too.” He leans forward, resting his elbows just above his knees. “Welcome to the Demasi household,” he says with mock cheer.

“It’s not a real family get together until a fight breaks out and someone goes to jail.” I laugh.

“How do you do that?”

“Do what?” I ask, squirming slightly under the sudden intensity of his gaze.

“Make light of every situation – no matter how fucking dark it is. It’s like nothing gets to you.”

“I don’t know about that. I feel like a lot gets to me.”

“Well you don’t show it.” He cocks his head toward me. “Seriously, thank you for tonight. You could have turned a blind eye to what was happening with Holly and Brittany but instead you chose to go to my sister’s defense even when she didn’t want you to. Because of you my sister’s addiction has been brought to light and we can take steps to get her better. Otherwise we might not have known until it was too late.”

“There’s no way I would ever stand by and knowingly allow another person to be hurt. Especially when I know it’s someone you love. I will always have your back, Hudson. And that includes your family as well.”

“I’ll never understand it.”

“Understand what?”

“What I did to deserve you.” He straightens, reaching for me. “Come here.” He tugs me into his lap. I immediately snuggle into him, laying my head on his shoulder after I adjust the throw blanket to cover both of us.

“I love you, Hudson.” Leaning in, I kiss the underside of his jaw.

“I love you more.”

“You wish.” I smile, pressing my face into his neck.

“There’s no wishing about it, Miss Claire. Facts are facts.”

“Is that so?” I shift so I can look at him.

“It is.” A smile plays on his lips.

“Too bad we’re staying in your parents’ house. Otherwise I’d be happy to prove you wrong.”

“And how exactly would you be proving me wrong?” He grins and some of the tension in his expression starts to fade.

“I can think of a few ways.”

“You know. This house is pretty big.” He gives me a knowing look.

“I am not having sex with you in your parents’ house.” I laugh, shaking my head.

“So much for proving me wrong then, huh?”

“So that’s how you want to play it?”

“I’ll play it anyway I have to if it means I get what I want.”

“And what is it that you want, Mr. Demasi.”

“You, Miss Claire. Always you,” he whispers against my lips as his mouth closes down over mine.