Snorts of amusement sounded in the room.
“I don’t agree with your use of the word ‘god.’ Most religions and belief systems have purported that entities or beings on other planes of existence have the power to create life and form, even entire universes. Shaney may possess similar lower-level powers. It remains to be seen,” Caleb said.
Shaney shook his head. “Whoa, wait a minute. You’re talking about me here. Shaney Mills. Mess-up extraordinaire. I’ve made an art out of fucking up, and you’re comparing me to superior beings. I’d love some of what you’re smoking.”
Maximus nodded his head, apparently in agreement, and that was only after knowing Shaney for three days.
Shaney pointed at Todd to emphasize his argument. “Todd’s been there for most of the epic disasters that chain together to make my life. Right, Todd? Fucked up beyond belief.”
Todd nodded, but chewed on his bottom lip. The door to the cabin opened and Mr. Anderson entered with a gust of wind and a swirl of leaves. Shaney almost shit when he saw the man in a NY Yankees sweatshirt, matching ball cap, jeans, and hiking boots. Mr. Anderson, seeing the uptight postures and apparent tension, stopped and surveyed the room.
“Good, you’re back,” Caleb said with a satisfied nod.
“What’s going on?” Mr. Anderson asked, eyes trained accusingly on Shaney. His brow did that what-did-Shaney-do-now? thing.
If the Converse fit...
Caleb cleared his throat to answer, but Todd blurted out, “Talking about Shaney’s promotion to a god.”
Mr. Anderson’s eyebrows disappeared under his ball cap. “God of chaos and mayhem, maybe.”
Good one, Shaney thought, but remained quiet. Generally, he tried to avoid reacting to the negativity of others. Even so, he didn’t have to because Hudson took up the cause. He turned on Mr. Anderson, fire flaring in his eyes.
“Enough! No wonder Shaney thinks he’s worthless and can’t do anything right. People like you are constantly telling him just that, and he’s bought it all. Sure, there are people who never do anything wrong, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t assholes. Shaney’s a great guy, fun to be with, more creative than the whole of us combined, and he gives a hundred and ten percent when he does something. Even I recognize this, and I’ve only known him for about a week.”
Shaney blinked repeatedly, rubbing at the tightness in his chest. Hudson turned to Shaney, and the sweet smile, genuine pride, and admiration nearly buckled Shaney’s knees. He heard a quick, “I’m sorry,” from Mr. Anderson, but Shaney focused on soaking in the enigmatic man before him. Pulse racing, hands clammy, legs shaky, ears buzzing, and vision filled with Hudson, the feelings Shaney had suppressed for the burly man broke loose like a wild stallion snapping its lead. Any misgivings, anger, and doubts he’d had about Hudson were trampled, and Shaney smiled. The bright-eyed, awe-filled relief covering Hudson’s face was the final nail in the coffin of Shaney’s resolve to keep him at arm’s length.
Chapter Nineteen
For a moment, Shaney forgot about the other people in the room. Hudson’s heated gaze warmed his chest, and when Hudson reached out and rested a hand on the back of Shaney’s neck, a shudder ran through Shaney’s body. He wanted to trust Hudson and fall into his arms forever, but he still had a shred of self-preservation left. Despite his wavering resolve to keep the man at arm’s length, they still had a lot of talking to do.
Shaney cleared his throat and Hudson dropped his arm.
Caleb raised an eyebrow, as if asking if he should continue. Shaney shrugged and nodded.
“It sounds as if there have been some unfortunate incidents that have led others to question your abilities.”
Todd gave his patented snort/guffaw/bark of laughter. “Understatement of the century. And freaky is more like it.”
That peaked Caleb’s attention. “Freaky incidents? Tell me about them.”
Shaney stiffened. “Fuck, no. This isn’t a walk down the memory lane of Shaney’s life. I’ve been there, done that, bought the fucking T-shirt, the hat, and the rights to the movie.”
Maximus continued to scowl at Shaney. The man was creepy, even when he was on Shaney’s side—or was he? Jury was still out on that one.
Hudson laid his hand on Shaney’s back. The soothing circles of Hudson’s palm went a long way to calming him.
“Why do you want to know about them, Caleb?” Hudson asked.
“Odd occurrences could have something to do with the energy inside of you, Shaney.”
“You mean there could be reason for the funky crap that happens around Shaney?” Todd’s question grabbed the attention of the entire room, Shaney included.