Richie woke up from the coma. What does that mean for me?Hudson's words play on repeat in my brain. Over and over and over and over.Richie woke up.My face pales even though my body readies to run and adrenaline floods my system. I'm ready to stand up and flee from the office building that felt safe a few minutes earlier.I'm not worried because he's woken up, but because now I don't know what happens next. Who will he name as having been on the scene? How much detail will he be able to give? Will he be the one to out my lies? Why haven't I confessed sooner?A sickening sensation grows in my stomach. I'm too aware the happy life I had a minute ago is about to come crashing down around the building. Will I be buried under the rubble or will the same fate who brought me Hudson step in to get me out of this mess, too?Did she fuck with me after all?"Is he okay?" I ask when I realize the silence stretched between Hudson and me for too long. Hudson thinks I should be happy

I cross my arms matching his stance. "First off, don't threaten me, and secondly you can't leave. Let's not forget you're being paid to be here.""I can tell Ridge to send someone else," he lobs the threat in my direction and then smirks like he thinks he's won.But Hudson doesn't have Marissa for a best friend. "What? You'll tell your boss you can't handle a white girl from San Francisco?" If there's one thing Marissa has taught me in our years of friendship, it's when in doubt go for their manliness.His face falls, and he doesn't comment.Thought so."You're hiding something, Amanda.""You've known me for less than a month. You don't know me." Okay, that was a little childish but sometimes the truth comes out like a two-year-old. Doesn't make it not the truth."I can't protect you if you don't tell me what happened."Now it's my turn to be tight lipped. Hudson has a point. It's that I'm not sure who to trust and who to leave hanging on the side of the road. Hudson ca

I walk out the door with Marissa's final piece of advice.I've never listened to Marissa before, but it's worked for the other girls so now is as good a time as any. The problem is she told me what I should do, but not how to do it. Her advice of walking in my apartment and telling him what's up sounded easier when she was talking it out. I should have taken notes.My brothers have been taking my crap for most of their lives. This should be an easy task. Walk in, tell him we're no longer fighting, and move on with life. Yet, for some reason, I don't think it will be so simple.The door isn't locked and as soon as I twist the handle Hudson is out of his chair and halfway across the room."I'm glad you're still alive," he says standing with his arms crossed in a pose I consider Hudson's cranky look.My eyes narrow and the forced smile I've been wearing drops. Screw Marissa. This man isn't even getting a non-apology. "I'm so glad you're concerned."He huffs. "I am concerned. T

"Sorry, Dean, I've got to get home. Lots of Christmas prep to do."There's no time to chase another raid with so much work to do for Aspen's Christmas celebration. They overdo it for most holidays, but the big ones are the worst.He nods, accepting the answer. I rarely take him up on offers for more raiding or the hundred times he's asked me out for coffee. "Okay, see you next time." He waves, following a large group of people making their way to cars and bikes before heading toward the wharf.I step onto the sidewalk outside the baseball stadium to look for a cab. The road is eerily quiet since there isn't baseball in December and the people from the raid snatched up the cabs. Even though Grant, Clare's boyfriend would kill me, I scroll through my phone and find the Uber app. If I have to call for a ride anyway, I should at least make it a cheap one. He'd be pissed over how close I am to his neighborhood without someone here with me, but it's too late to worry about that now.

"Are you sure you won't walk in there and start crying?" Hudson asks as we stop in front of Cosmo's Comics and Café.I take a deep breath and check myself before I answer because frankly he's probably right to be worried. It's been two days since we met with Drew at the restaurant in Oakland and I spent most of that night crying. I haven't talked to anyone since then. More than likely they think I've been taking this time to apologize to Hudson. He promises he's forgiven and forgotten and even understands why it took so long.Hudson spent the last few days consoling me as I came to terms with finally admitting what happened that night and saying goodbye to Drew if only in my own mind. He's been perfect. He didn't push or yell at me to do it faster or tell me I was being ridiculous. He listened and held me when I needed him. I couldn't ask for a better man.Hudson is everything I've ever wanted in a guy. Sensitive enough to figure out when I'm hurting, but strong enough to tell me