fucking idea if everything was okay or not, but it had been over an hour since she’d climbed into the back of an Uber, and now, she wasn’t answering. After what happened with Brenden, that damn phone was like an appendage for her; she had a plastic baggie she used so she could take it into the shower with her. With my chest tight and unease thick in my veins, I rang up Huey’s to see if she’d gone there instead. Carmen said they hadn’t seen her all night.
I texted Cal, careful not to tip him off that anything was wrong, but he hadn’t seen her.
Then I texted Lauren because where the fuck else could she be? Lauren hadn’t heard from her, either.
And with that, the sense of unease in my veins morphed into full-blown panic. I peeled out of the parking lot with my phone held to my ear and the constant drone of unanswered calls throwing fuel on my flame.
“Oh, Ben. Oh, Jerry. You devils. I’ve never had a three-way before. Okay, I have. But only ever with you.”
Didn’t everyone talk to their ice cream? No? Just me?
It didn’t matter, because that night, I was DTF.
Down. To. Fudge.
It was likely the sugar endorphins firing through my body, but I didn’t care. I needed the pick-me-up in the worst possible way, because outside my front door, the world was going crazy.
I had the hots for one of my closest friends.
My brother was married off and MIA most of the time.
My parents were on my ass about settling down—a.k.a. finding a spouse.
And lastly, I’d left a perfectly good date early.
Let me clarify. I’d left a date with an insanely handsome man who actually made eye contact when he spoke. Logan had one of those fuck-hot hipster haircuts that I always found sexy. He wasn’t too forward, but his smile said a lot. Namely, the way he licked his lips and smiled, but who was paying attention? On top of that, the big dick energy was strong, and he complimented my legs, which I’d always thought of as two prickly stumps.
Just went to show that different men liked different things.
But two things were certain: Logan was into me and I kept calling him Hudson.
Ergo, I’d left early.
As I dug a stubborn chunk of brownie out of the pint, I took a breath and decided that all the shit that was happening—or not happening—was out of my hands. The only things I could control were my spoon, how much chocolate I binged that night, and turning my phone to silent so I didn’t have to hear all about Hudson’s incredible date.
So be it. My life was left to fate.
The Gods.
Mother Nature.
Maybe even the Illuminati for all I knew.
And whatever they wanted for me, I was willing to accept, because Ben and Jerry would always be there for me.
“So give me whatever you’ve got, Universe. We’re not scared,” I said out loud to Beep and Boop who were my captive audience in the kitchen. “Ain’t that right, girls?”
Boop licked her ass and Beep meowed, which were both signs of their unwavering solidarity.
Then, as if I’d literally challenged the cosmos, something happened. There was a commotion on my porch and I peeked into the living room to get a look out the window.
Before I could do anything, my door flew open and there he stood.
Hudson.
With the spoon hanging out of my mouth, I asked around it, “What the fuck are you doing here?”
He was all dressed up for his date, whereas I had already taken off my bra and pants and was hanging out in my tank top and undies.
“You didn’t answer your damn phone.” His chest was heaving like he’d run from wherever he’d been, and he blew out a long stream of air as he raked his hand through his blond hair.
My gaze bounced around the room as I plucked the spoon from my mouth and then replied, “Well, as you can see, I’m here. I’m fine.” I’m head over heels for you and hiding, so go away.
“I thought some Uber driver murdered you.”
That was our Hudson, sole protector. I swear he was part man and part Australian Shepherd with the way he had to know where everyone was at all times.
“I don’t take Ubers. I take Lyfts. Studies show they’re safer and more female friendly.” I dug around my dessert and took another bite as he stood there panting and staring at me. I did everything I could to not make