swear to God—either watching something on his cell or recording this whole thing. “And maybe everyone else can just sit by and keep their mouths shut, but I can’t. Not now. I’ve got too much to lose. Hud is giving up his company for you—no. For Mark. I’m giving up the man I’m in love with for you—no. For Mark. Jack is giving up the only life he’s ever known for you—no. For Mark. My parents are losing their only grandson, your parents are losing their only daughter and grandson, and Cal is losing his best friend and nephew for you—no.” I paused and cupped a hand to my ear. “Any guesses?”
She glared at me, but like a coward, she didn’t say a damn word.
“For Mark! And honestly, it’s not even for Mark. It’s for a fucking job. I am losing the best thing that has ever happened to me over a Goddamn 401K and benefits package. Please tell me you realize how fucked up this is?”
“I don’t know what to say, Lex.”
“You don’t have to say anything, but I hope you figure it out. Because what you’re doing is wrong. And don’t you dare take any of my family’s silence as support. No one thinks this is a good idea.”
Her hands flailed, and then she rubbed her forehead. “Hudson agreed to it.”
“He didn’t have a choice! It wasn’t like you and Mark talked to him before Mark applied for jobs on the other side of the planet. And do you really think he’d just let you take Jack away like that? That Hudson wouldn’t follow him? He’s not that kind of father and you know it! You’re moving his whole damn life. And when you get out there, you’ll have Mark and Jack half the time. And who will Hudson have? He’s been nothing but good to you, Lauren. And this is how you repay him?”
She had the good sense to look sheepish. “You don’t understand.”
“Then make me understand. Explain to me why you’re using a shit custody agreement your dad had drawn up when Jack was born to validate your decisions. Explain to me why you feel like Mark is more important than the rest of us who have been by your side since day one. Explain to me how you can be so damn selfish to a man who has been so damn selfless, even before you two had a baby.”
My chest heaved, and I took a second to draw in a breath. As I did it, I took a step closer, as though my proximity might finally allow my words to permeate her thick skull. “This isn’t about you anymore, Lauren. Or Mark’s big promotion. Or even a new adventure in Portland. This is about Hudson. After all these years of taking care of each and every one of us, he deserves to be a priority.” I shook my head and backed away. “I can’t tell you what to do. I just want you to know that I think it’s the most self-centered, cruel thing I’ve ever seen.” I marched backward to Cal’s spaceship on wheels, adding, “Think about what you’re doing and who you’re doing it to.”
In one last show of bravado, she barked, “You’re only saying this now because you and Hudson are together.”
I chuffed. “Yeah, we’re together, but even if we weren’t, I’d still be standing right here, fighting for him. Because boyfriend or not, you’re fucking over one of the best men I’ve ever met. Good night. Tell Jack I love him.”
I hopped inside the van, and Lauren just stood there on her sidewalk, stunned and—I prayed—gut-punched.
My yellow-bellied brother put it into reverse and sweetly called out his window, as if nothing major had happened, “Bye, Lauren.”
She just waved us off.
Me: My flight just landed. I’m headed to Lauren’s to see Jack, but I fully expect you to be in bed naked by the time I get there.
Lex: Any particular bed? I’ve had my eye on Cal’s four poster for a while, but I’m thinking finding me naked in it might scandalize Vanessa.
Me: Okay, first of all, gross! Secondly, my place is closer to Lauren’s, so let’s meet there.
A picture came through as I made my way to baggage claim.
Lex.
On my couch.
Nothing but a blanket strategically covering a few of my favorite parts of her body.
Holy. Fucking. Hell.
If my son hadn’t been leaving for Portland the very next morning, I’d have left my suitcase on the baggage carousel and run home. Even