Shaney crossed his arms. “You lied to me.”
Hudson’s eyebrows jumped. “Aren’t we past that? Inside...you...you let me touch you.”
“Never said I forgave you for your deceit.”
Shaney reveled in his newfound confidence. Amazing what destroying a cup and shelf could do for a person’s self-esteem, even if the effect was temporary.
Hudson shifted, lips pursing, jaw ticking. Shaney held his stare and hated every second of it, but he had to stand up for himself if he ever wanted to be stronger.
“I’m sorry. I did know that the symbols meant something. I just didn’t know what. I also figured it had nothing to do with being electrocuted. I wanted that to be true because I didn’t want you messed up in this crap. I had no clue you were connected to my grandfather...to me...to any of this craziness. I mean, what are the odds that you were meant to be at the cabin and it actually happened?”
Shaney had pondered the same thing. Without holding Shaney’s hand and leading him there, how had Silas known he’d go? If Hudson had been involved, he would have brought Shaney into the cabin the first time they were there, but he hadn’t. So, why put the circle in a remote cabin when Shaney had never been there before? Now, put that sucker in his bathroom, and guaranteed, during a midnight trip to the bathroom, in the dark, Shaney would have stumbled into that circle. Stand before the toilet and bam!
“Caleb told me last night that he placed the chanting ward at the cabin to keep away the person that circle was meant for.”
Shaney nodded weakly. “He told me that the other day, too.”
“He underestimated how brave you truly are. Most people would have run screaming and never returned. Not you, though.” Hudson smirked.
Shaney wanted to smile and agree, but he huffed instead. “You said you’d sworn to protect me. That your grandfather asked you to.” Asked Hudson to kill him as well if Silas ever got his hands on the Shaney creation. After the cup incident, Shaney completely understood that logic. Shaney’s powerful display had even ruffled Caleb and rendered Mr. Unflappable speechless. Had Hudson’s grandfather known something like this would happen? Shaney’s abilities were like a weapon. Could he be a weapon?
“Shaney?”
Shaney brought his attention back to Hudson, whose gaze had softened further, and Shaney’s iciness started to melt. “I did promise to protect you, but it wasn’t a promise to my grandfather. I didn’t know who, or what, his creation was. He died before he told me. Probably was waiting for me to start studying with him, but I never did.” Shaney could tell the death of his grandfather still caused Hudson great pain. “I swore to protect you after that night at the cabin. I felt this need to keep you safe, deep down in my soul.”
Another mournful crack wrought in Shaney’s heart. “You felt a need to protect me? Probably comes from your grandfather’s voodoo.” Figured.
Hudson stepped closer. The smell of leather and musk surrounded him. “No, baby. This is all me. That day at the store, I wanted to talk to you. I thought you were cute, but I tend to be guarded. I lost my nerve after you got hurt.”
Shaney shook his head.
“Oh, yes,” Hudson whispered. “At the hospital, when Mr. Anderson told me you’d lost your community service because of what had happened, I offered to go to the thrift store and get your job back for you, but Mr. Anderson suggested I let you help me instead. I thought about it for a whole two seconds. I wanted to spend time with you, even if I do owe Mr. Anderson for helping me out a few times.”
Shaney grimaced. “You owe Mr. Anderson?”
Hudson grinned. “Let’s just say I haven’t always been the good guy I am today.”
Shaney’s jaw dropped. “You were on probation?” No. Way.
Hudson snorted. “Twice. Stupid stuff when I was a teenager. Definitely worse than trying to save some kittens.” He touched Shaney’s arm. “I know you don’t believe this, but you’re a good person, Shaney. No matter what anyone says or what you do.” Hudson lowered his head to catch Shaney’s gaze. “Even throwing up all over my favorite boots.” Shaney had to smile back, he couldn’t help it. “We’re just getting to know each other, but I see the kindness in your eyes. The more I see of you, the more I like. You’re fun and smart and surprisingly optimistic. That’s what attracts me to you.”
Shaney’s fought hard not to sob all over the man. Maybe, just maybe...
“Please,” Hudson whispered, reaching up to rub Shaney’s cheek. “Believe me when I say I’m not here because I have to be. I’m here because I want to be. It nearly ripped my heart out when you found out that I’d lied to you. I was wrong. I wanted to protect you. Save you from all of this. I’m sorry I failed.”