There’s A Party

CHAPTER 003: There’s A Party

I hiccuped as everyone’s eyes fell on me.

Derek’s stare shifted between Bria and me while Hud's brow climbed so high they nearly disappeared into his hairline.

“That came out of nowhere.” I muttered under my breath, and Bria released my hand.

“You’re not trying to put the kid on the spot. Are you?” Derek asked.

“Yes, Mom. Tee never mentioned anything about that which is weird.” Hud agreed.

Bria pushed her plate back, raising her chin up with an air of maternal authority I knew she possessed.

“Hudson has been failing classes, and Grace is on maternity leave.”

“Since your dad's going to be home for three weeks, which is great as we need family time, we'll need an extra hand.”

Her eyes strayed to me and something sharp twisted in my chest.

Once the maid’s daughter. Always the maid’s daughter.

There was no escaping the pattern.

But for a second I hoped she’d say something else.

“So it’s only natural for me to turn to his best friend for help.”

She gestured at me and I opened my mouth to clear the air but couldn't form the right words in my head on time.

As if he sensed my discomfort, Derek cleared his throat, getting on his feet.

“Come with me, Bria. Now.”

Bria folded her arms across her chest, her eyes on Hud.

“If you have something to say that explains why you'd barely be home because of some club, I think we should tell Hudson together rather than break his heart later.”

Hud's jaw clenched slightly to hide the fact that he didn’t like what Bria just said.

“I’m fine. Mom. I’m not a kid anymore.”

But I knew this softie in and out. He was affected.

Derek reached for Bria’s arm, bringing her to her feet as dangerously gently as he could.

She hissed a protest but forced a smile as her eyes found me.

“I know it’s sudden. But it’s urgent, so think about it, dear.”

“Don’t put pressure on her," Derek retorted.

Then he turned to me,

“You’re not obligated to agree. Make sure it’s what you want.”

Bria sent him a glare, and he only locked his jaw in turn as he guided her away until they were out of sight.

“Sorry you had to see that. They’re not always like that.” Hud said, making my head snap to his direction.

With how he was tapping against the table, I could tell a ticking time bomb was about to explode.

And when it did. He'd be back in that fog, looking for his lifeline. Gwen.

“I've got an idea on how to get you out of your head.” I suggested, and his expression brightened up before it dimmed.

“Don’t say it. Most of my memories at the club are always with her.”

Always with her? Well, what about me?

I dragged him to his first ever clubbing.

I badly itched to yell at him and say something like, "Fine. Curl up on your mama’s couch, sulk, and drink milk all day.”

But I changed my mind and said,

“I bet she’s out, partying hard and getting the best D—“

“Let’s go," Hud cut in.

My eyes flew wide in alert as I watched the red glow of determination in his eyes.

Oh...ok.

Now he looked like a wounded man on a mission.

How do I tell him I only said that to gauge his reaction because I was sick of his constant pining for her?

I had no party to take him to.

My screen lit up with Naomi’s text, and I quickly clicked into it.

“Don’t tell me you forgot about the party tonight. Frat boys and booze. Get your ass here!” I could feel her scream on the other side of the screen, and I blinked.

“What's wrong?" Hud asked as he stood up.

I wet my lips, my eyes shining with mischief.

“There’s a party at this strip club…” I paused.

His brow rose in suspicion as he eyed me.

“And?”

“The frat boys are going to be there.”

Maybe I should have left that part out, but the selfish side of me wanted to remind him that Gwen cheated on him with a frat.

Pain until numb, right?

And he’d probably choose not to go.

“The more the merrier. Let’s go show her just how much fun we can have."

Oh no.

We left in his car, of course, and used the backstage because the entrance was crowded, all thanks to my connections.

Connections I’d forever keep hidden from Hud.

“You really know your way around," Hud complimented, a complacent smirk on his face as he guided me to the main bar.

Knowing my way around, in his words, meant I was in between a nerd and a bad girl.

Loud pop music blasted from the speakers, sweaty bodies clinging onto themselves on the dance floor, and the smell of sex mixed with alcohol filled the air.

And wait, was that—

Never mind. I’ve seen crazier stuff.

“Look who’s decided to join the party.” Naomi said on sighting me and Hud.

She waved us over to the dimly lit lounge where she was straddling Ramsey, her boyfriend or fling.

Whatever they were.

They were making out on the couch while they passed their drinks mouth-to-mouth.

"Ramsey, you bloody traitor." Hud greeted, cussing his friend out.

"Guilty as charged," Ramsey joked.

They exchanged handshakes, laughing.

Ramsey happened to be mutuals with me and Hud before he hooked up with Naomi.

It was only natural that Naomi joined our clique.

Ramsey's hand ran over Naomi’s half-naked ass as she was clad in a mini fishnet skirt and leather thigh-high boots that made squeaky sounds as she slid off his lap.

"Leaving us out of the fun is cruel." Hud wore a tight grin as he shook his head, matching the rhythm of the music currently playing.

“Come on, man. I thought you were still getting over—“

“Ramsey.” I and Naomi said in unison, our eyes warning him to drop it.

Our reaction only made Hud's expression turn sober, his smile faded.

“What?” Ramsey asked in defense.

“I’m just trying to let a friend know he could be in love with more than one woman.”

"Take, for example. I could be in love with a girl’s booty like this.” He squeezed Naomi’s behind, and she giggled, hitting him lightly in his chest.

“Stop messing around. Hud isn't like you.” She defended playfully in a throaty voice that proved she was high.

But she was right.

Compared to Ramsey, Hud had never had issues with commitments.

One of the things I loved about him.

Hud, however, loved to prove people wrong and failed terribly at it.

Like how he tried to fake date one of Gwen’s friends to make her jealous and got caught up.

He kissed Gwen in front of his new girl, and she made him pay for it by letting her brothers beat him up.

It earned him one ticket to the hospital.

“He's right and that's why I'm getting laid tonight. " Hud announced.

"That's the spirit, man." Ramsey encouraged, giving him a quick pat on the back.

Hud's eyes scanned the room like a predator on his next hunt, and my heart caught up in my throat watching him.

He was searching for his new fling.

“Don’t think too hard. Tee is right here. She’s single and available," Ramsey suggested.

As if on second thought, he folded his brows and asked.

"Right?”

I stiffened for a moment as Hud stopped and turned to me.

Geez, I was not expecting that crazy assist from Ramsey.

I made a mental note to do a free assignment for him.

“Tee?” He repeated, and Naomi’s brow shot up.

"Uh...yeah. She’s hot.”

At this point I felt like they were talking about me like I wasn't present.

Hud took a long pause before he chuckled.

“I watched Tee pig it out and even did a farting competition with her in middle school. So never.”