The Pearls of Yesterday by L.S. Rydde

Author:L.S. Rydde
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781949983098
Publisher: INCLUDAS Teen

Nineteen

Hudson lifts his head up. “What the fuck do you want, Theo?” There’s an angry tone to his voice as though he either hates him or hates that he ruined our moment. Probably both.

“I’m checking on Abby,” Theo replies, lowering to the side where my head is positioned. “Is Hudson doing something he’s not supposed to?”

“No,” I mumble. “Thanks. I should get back into my chair.” I pause and immediately ask, “How are you, Theo?”

Theo’s thud plants next to me.

“I gotcha,” he says, ignoring my question. Then he slides an arm around my lower back. The other moves under my knees, and I’m swept up into him as he rises. So fast, it causes my stomach to drop and my hair to swing from side to side. His arm muscles flex almost symmetrically. They practically pierce through both our shirts.

I inhale the cedarwood and chlorine scent.

This has to be the actual definition of awkward. I’m so embarrassed Theo caught me with a half-naked Hudson—after being upset I chose Hudson—and now carrying me away from Hudson.

Hudson jumps to his feet before Theo and I get to my chair a few feet away. We’re not galloping like horses per se, but Theo’s walking sends me up and down.

“We don’t need your help.” Hudson seems offended Theo stole his thunder.

I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place called Hudson and Theo. Because yes, they’re both that close to me. Four. Three. I’m counting the feet left until I can be in my seat. Any girl would dream of being in a sandwich with two hulks, but this isn’t fun. I’m practically squeezed between solid muscles that keep getting closer.

“I’m not a hotdog,” I mutter, hoping to lessen the tension.

They separate and I smile at my chair. The thump that comes when my butt hits my cushion is silent compared to the stare down the two have. “Boys, calm down.” I turn to Theo. “Thanks for coming, really. We should talk.”

Theo glares at Hudson, who straightens up. The tension makes my stomach churn.

How will I stop them? Theo tops Hudson by a few inches, even standing on the grass. But Hudson is powerful, an athlete.

The wind howls around us. They furrow their brows at each other. Both hold a hard stare. It’s like a nature documentary where the male animals are squaring off on my porch.

“You guys. Knock it off.” This could get ugly.

The pit of my stomach warns of a possible fight. These two have never seen eye to eye. Theo makes things and Hudson buys things. They hold different values to the point that the town has pitted their families against each other for years—land kings versus the water lords. I don’t get the issue, but once a pattern gets set, it’s hard to undo it.

“We can all be friends,” I say, glancing between the two.

They definitely don’t want to be friends.

“Did he work to rebuild your trust, Abby?” Theo asks me, scowling at his nemesis. “Have you set him straight for ghosting you all these years? I’ll set him straight.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.