Right As Rain (Complete)

Chapter 3

Hudson

Putting it lightly, that was unexpected.

Watching Noah and Maelee pull away in the ambulance, I can't decide if I'm relieved or pissed. Fucking Noah, I charmed the shit out of her! My plan to ask Maelee out was perfect and he just had to pass out... or whatever he did. Heart attack, I guess? I'm glad he's okay, but he ruined everything.

When we got to the restaurant, my eyes landed on her first thing. She was hot and she was laughing. I knew right then I wanted her. Thank God, Jessica was around. I figured my attempt to get her friend to meet me later wouldn't be so awkward if I at least said hi first.

Then I talked to her.

Maelee wasn't like most girls are when I first meet them. She knew who I was, but she didn't act on it. If I didn't know better, I would say she wasn't interested.

Of course, that's impossible. Everyone is interested.

The last twenty minutes have put me in a fog. The only thoughts I seem to be capable of having revolve entirely around that hot blonde.

Jessica laughs to herself beside me. "Don't even think it," she says. "It's never going to happen."

"What's not going to happen?" I ask.

She rolls her eyes and walks towards the lot. "Oh please, you know you want some of that."

I feign ignorance. Jessica knows me well, but she doesn't know me that well. "I have no idea what you are talking about."

Jessica laughs again; she can see right through me. "Give it up. That girl is way out of your league."

"Noah told you to say that, didn't he?" At the table he said there was no way I could bag a girl like Maelee.

Watch me.

Jessica shrugs. "No, it's true."

Her indifference annoys me. I slow my pace and rub the back of my neck. I shouldn't be so nervous. I'm fucking Hudson Steele. "Is she seeing someone?" I ask.

Jessica shakes her head as if she has heard this question a few times before, and answers like her response is on auto-reply. "She sees the hospital and she sees me. Don't waste your time."

"Oh!" I stop walking. I didn't consider that... "You guys are... sorry, I didn't know."

Jessica slaps the back of her hand across my chest. "No you idiot. We are friends and I like dick." She pauses. "So does Maelee."

I cock my eyebrow at her. "So you're saying there's a chance?"

"I'm going to punch you in the fucking nuts in a second," she says, walking away. "She doesn't want a boyfriend, or a fuck friend, or whatever in the hell you are trying to be." She throws her hand.

"She could..." I insist, jogging a few steps to catch up to her.

"Not one like you."

Ouch. I know I'm not the nicest guy, but I could be if I wanted... Probably. I stop walking and grab Jessica's arm, making her stop as well. I need her to be serious. She faces me, crosses her arm, and impatiently waits for me to get on with it.

"Because of my reputation?" I ask. "She wouldn't want someone like me because of my reputation?"

"God!" Jessica groans. Her hands drop to her sides and she looks up at the sky. "Is everything always about you?" she asks. Another burn. Thanks, Jess. "Maelee doesn't give a shit about you or your reputation, or about me and mine. Maelee cares about people. All of this,"–she motions to our surroundings and the paparazzi snapping our photographs from across the street– "it isn't what she wants in her life."