Four Letter Word (Love Logic #2) - K.M. Neuhold Page 0,107

share a laugh, and the bottle of Jim Beam dwindles lower, the night creeping on with a warm feeling now taking over my chest. Maybe it’s the alcohol, but I think it’s more likely the nicknames Leo and I keep trying out for Riot and the way he casually puts his hand on my thigh when he leans over to get another drink.

Chapter 26

Leo

I wake up alone in a humongous bed with sheets that are so soft they must be a zillion thread count. Last night comes rushing back to me, all the alcohol we used to drown our frazzled nerves after what happened to Bishop. The soft emotions of my conversation with Hudson. I pick my head up and look around, finding myself completely alone in Hudson’s bedroom.

With a groan, I roll out of bed and pull on a pair of pants before going in search of Riot and Hudson. I stumble into the kitchen to find Hudson standing at the stove in nothing but a low-slung pair of pajama pants. My head is pounding from all the alcohol last night, my mouth dry. I’m glad I let my assistant know I wouldn’t be in today because between the physical and emotional hangover from yesterday, all I want to do is spend the day in a cuddle pile with Bishop and Riot. And, okay, Hudson can come too. He was pretty great with Bishop yesterday and all.

In the face of what could’ve happened yesterday, holding a grudge against Hudson feels petty and small. For the first time since high school, I can’t find a trace of resentment toward Hudson in me.

“What time is it?” I mumble stupidly, stumbling toward the sink to get myself a glass of water.

“Just after eight. Riot is already headed down to the hospital to pick Bishop up, and I’m working on breakfast.”

I frown and run a hand through my hair. “I would’ve gone with.”

Hudson waves his hand dismissively. “Riot didn’t want to wake you. They’ll be back any minute, and we can all sit down to breakfast.”

“You hate blueberries,” I say, taking one of the small berries from the bowl on the counter and popping it into my mouth before sitting down on the stool in front of the island.

Hudson shrugs, the muscles of his bare back flexing. “Blueberry pancakes are Bish’s favorite, so I make them for him. If I put enough syrup on them, I can’t even taste the blueberries, so it’s all good.”

Emotion wells up in my throat as I watch him stir the pancake batter. That is not the Hudson I remember, or at least not the one I’ve been painting him to be. I swallow around the lump and reach for the stack of papers on the counter.

“What’s all this?” I ask.

“It’s paperwork from the insurance company. I called the place his car was towed to and it turns out it’s totaled, so I contacted his insurance company for him.”

“Wow, you did all that while I was busy sleeping off a hangover?”

“After you passed out, I drank a couple of glasses of water and took some aspirin so I’m happily hangover free,” he says, shooting me a wink over his shoulder.

“Well, lucky you,” I grumble.

“Here, have some coffee, it’ll help.” He nods toward the full coffee pot on the counter.

“Thanks, buttercup.” I slide off the stool, and Hudson snorts a laugh at my terrible attempt at a nickname.

“If that’s the best you’ve got, I’m going to win this one with both hands tied behind my back.”

“Now there’s a visual.” The words are out of my mouth before I can think about how they’ll sound. Sure, I’m ready to let go of the past and try to fix our friendship, but I’m not sure if that means I want anything more than that with Hudson. Maybe Riot’s habit of shameless flirting is rubbing off on me.

Hudson tosses me a heated look but thankfully doesn’t say anything.

I finish doctoring my coffee and the sound of the front door opening reaches my ears.

“We’re in the kitchen,” Hudson calls, and seconds later, Bishop and Riot appear in the doorway.

“Thanks for letting me use your apartment key,” Riot says, offering the key back.

Hudson looks at the key in Riot’s outstretched hand and a blush colors his cheeks. “You can, um...it’s a spare key, so you can hang on to it for now.”

Riot hesitates, his eyes widening. “You want me to have a key to your place?”

“Just for emergencies or whatever.” His attempt at sounding