Tequila Haze (The Tequila Duet Book 1)

by Melissa Toppen

You better call.

  -Hudson

  Below his name he had written his phone number with a heart next to it. My smile grew wider, thinking how drawing a heart on a little note did not seem like Hudson’s style and yet it’s totally him all at the same time. Sweet and understated.

  My eyes scan the note again. Totally song worthy. The flutter in my chest intensifies tenfold.

  I mean, our chemistry together was most definitely off the charts. I have no doubt that he felt that too. And while my actions last night were pretty far from anything I’ve ever done before, I can’t bring myself to regret one single second of it.

  I think I knew the moment my eyes landed on his that Hudson Demasi was someone worth my time. No matter how little time that might be.

  “Uh oh. I know that look.” Emma breaks into my thoughts, snatching the note from my grasp before her eyes scan the paper. “Uh oh,” she repeats, slowly folding the piece of paper up before handing it back to me.

  “Uh oh what?” I unfold the paper and read it again.

  “You like him.” Her smile stretches so wide it’s a wonder her face doesn’t split in half.

  “What gave it away?” I bite out sarcastically.

  “I mean, you like him like him.” She’s still watching me with that ridiculous grin.

  “And?”

  “And, I haven’t seen you like this over a guy since Lance Roberts, junior year.”

  “Like what?” I brush off whatever she’s trying to imply.

  “Like you’re so happy you might float away on the cloud you’re currently sitting on.”

  “And that’s a bad thing?” I counter, not bothering to deny the truth in her words.

  “Not at all. Unlike Lance Roberts, Hudson seems like a great guy.”

  “Yeah, well, it doesn’t really matter, does it?” I drop the note on my nightstand and pick my coffee back up, taking a small sip.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” she questions, sliding further onto the bed before adjusting her body to face me, her long legs crossed in front of her.

  “It means he lives in Tennessee and I live in Florida. Even if we wanted to pursue something, neither of us are in a place right now where this could even be a possibility.” I push down how sad the thought makes me. “We’re getting ready to graduate and start working with your dad. Hudson’s in Nashville pursuing his music career and that’s where his focus should be.”

  “And there she goes.” Emma sighs.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” I rub my eye with the back of my hand, feeling the effects of my lack of sleep.

  “You’re tearing the puzzle apart before you’ve even had a chance to finish it.”

  “Come again?” I ask, confused by her statement and why the hell we’re talking about puzzles all of a sudden.

  “I’m just saying, you spend hours putting this freaking kick ass puzzle together but before you finish it and are able to appreciate what your time and effort has created, you’re disassembling it. Maybe you should try to finish the puzzle and enjoy the view for longer than five seconds.”

  “Okay, I’m gonna pretend like I know what the hell you’re talking about.” I shake my head at my friend.

  “You know exactly what I’m talking about. Hudson made you feel something last night. Probably something you’ve never felt before given the state the two of you were in when Colton and I came in. And now you’re freaking out because it might be hard to make something work so you’re giving up without even trying.”

  “I’m not doing anything like that. Hudson and I had fun. A lot of fun. And I really like him. But that’s all there is, Em. It was one night of fun. One night of make believe. It’s time to return to reality.”

  “And why can’t your reality include an insanely hot dude who’s seriously into you?”

  “Because that’s not reality. That’s fantasy. I had my fun.” I shrug, completely unconvinced. “So how did things go with Colton? You seemed awfully quiet out there.” I point in the general vicinity of the living room.

  “Way to change the subject.” Emma rolls her eyes but her mock frustration does nothing to mask the smile she’s trying to fight.

  “Well, I’m waiting.” I tap my fingers impatiently against my bare knee, not realizing until this very moment that I’m damn near naked – wearing only a pair of panties and a thin camisole. And even though Em has seen me in my birthday suit more times than I care to admit, I still pull the covers up a little higher.

  “What do you want to know?” She toys with me purposely.

  “I’m not nearly awake enough for your games, Emma Barrett. Now spill.”

  “Well, we walked on the beach for a while. Then we enjoyed the pretty freaking hilarious show you and Hudson were putting on in the water. After you two snuck off, I took him down to the pier.”

  “You didn’t.” My mouth goes slack as I stare at my best friend.

  “You brought Hudson into our home and let him fuck your brains out all night. Do not look at me like that.”

  “I’m not looking at you like anything. I’m just surprised,” I say, purposely not pointing out the obvious. The pier was her and her ex-boyfriend, Jeremy’s, special spot.

  There’s a large outstretch of sand underneath the pier that’s blocked completely from view unless you’re standing directly under it, which is where her and Jeremy would meet up to have sex when we were in high school. She hasn’t, to my knowledge, taken anyone there since he broke her heart a couple years ago.

  “And, how was it?” I add when she makes no attempt to elaborate.

  “Weird,” she admits, one side of her mouth quirking upward.

  “Weird?” I question, surprised by her response. “Weird how?”

  “It just wasn’t there. I mean, he’s obviously hot and we hit it off and all, but when we started getting hot and heavy under the pier, something felt off. I don’t know, there was just no spark.”

  “So what happened?” I press for more information.

  “I told him I couldn’t do it.”

  “And how did he react?”

  “Surprisingly, he was really cool about it. I think he felt it too. It was different when we were at the club under the flashing lights with alcohol pumping through us. But being outside under the moon, the fresh air in my nose, I don’t know. I guess it opened my eyes a little. Don’t get me wrong, Colton is totally friend material. I just didn’t see it going beyond that. When he kissed me I expected to feel a spark, but I felt nothing. Like literally nothing. It was like kissing my cousin or something. It’s hard to explain. I tried to push myself through it, thinking maybe it was the pier and that I’d made a mistake in taking him there, but I soon realized that wasn’t it. I could tell he felt off about it too. I guess when you know, you know.” She shrugs.

  “I guess,” I agree softly, my mind drifting back to Hudson.

  “So anyway, we exchanged phone numbers and he invited me up next weekend.”

  “Wait, he invited you up where next weekend?” I ask, my heart suddenly pounding inside my chest.

  “Nashville,” she states like it should be so obvious.

  “Hold up. You’re telling me that you met a guy, thought you were into him, spent the night grinding on his leg only to realize later as you were making out that you weren’t into him, and then at some point in the time that followed you made plans to visit him hours away?” I ask, not trying to hide how odd it all sounds.

  “Just because we didn’t click sexually doesn’t mean we didn’t click. We spent all night getting to know each other. Like I said, he’s definitely friendship material. And truthfully, I could always use more friends. Beats looking at your ugly mug all the time.” She laughs when I grab the closest pillow and swing it at her head.

  Not letting my violence distract her, she quickly continues, “So anyways, I think I might go.”

  “Just like that?”

  “Just like that.” She shrugs like it’s all perfectly normal.

 
“Em, you cannot drive damn near eight hours by yourself to spend the weekend with a guy you hung out with once. That’s insane.”

  “One, it’s not even a little insane. I like him and you know how much I’ve been dying to go to Nashville. Two, Hudson is playing on Friday night and from what Colton tells me, he’s pretty amazing. I definitely want to see that. And third, I won’t be going alone because you’re going with me.”

  “What?” I momentarily wonder if I’m still dreaming.

  “You heard me. You’re coming with me.”

  “I most certainly am not,” I object, setting my coffee back onto the night stand before crossing my arms in front of my chest.

  “Tell me you’re not the least bit interested in seeing Hudson again,” she challenges.

  “Em,” I start.

  “Seriously, Lennon. Just think about it. We could take a long weekend. Head down on Friday, see Hudson play. Spend some much needed girl time together on Saturday. Head home on Sunday and spend Monday recuperating from what hopefully will be one hell of a weekend.”

  Even I can’t deny her plan doesn’t sound half bad. And of course I’m dying to see Hudson again, even if I’m not willing to admit that piece of information out loud. And seeing him play? I’ve been dying to do that since the second he told me he was a musician. I mean, come on, what girl doesn’t love a hot musician? And Hudson definitely has the hot part down.

  “You know you want to,” Em adds, straightening her leg out to nudge the side of my knee with her foot. “Come on, Len. What do you say?”

  “I don’t want Hudson to know I’ll be there.”

  “Done.” She nods once. “Colton’s gonna shit when he finds out we’re coming.”

  “You mean Colton doesn’t know? I thought you said he invited you?”

  “He did. I told him I’d think about it. I had to make sure you’d go with me first.” She smiles wide and winks before quickly climbing out of the bed.

  Rolling to my side, I throw the covers over my head and let out a slow breath, still not able to fully process everything that happened last night or how I feel about it.

  I must have dozed off in the few minutes Emma was gone because when she flops down on the bed next to me I shoot up, disoriented and a little confused.

  “We’re all set,” she announces, pushing my wild mess of blonde hair out of my face.

  “All set for what?” I manage through a large yawn.

  “I talked to Colton. He gave me the information to the bar where Hudson is playing. We’re meeting him there at ten. I figure we will head up right after class which will put us checking into our hotel about eight. Then of course we need time to get ready. Hudson goes on at nine so they’ll be there if we get in earlier.”

  “We’re actually doing this?” I question, collapsing back onto the bed before rolling face down into my pillow. “I thought maybe I was dreaming,” I speak directly into the fluffy cotton.

  “No such luck, butter cup.” The bed shifts seconds before Emma’s hand connects with my ass cheek on a hard smack. “Now get your ass up. You’ve got to be at your parents in less than an hour.”

  “I don’t wanna go,” I whine, throwing my hands dramatically to the side.

  “Well too bad. You’ve missed lunch the last two weekends. If you don’t go today they will come to us and as much as I love your parents, I do not want to deal with Elise Claire when she’s in one of her moods.” I hear the smile in her voice as she refers to my mother.

  My parents are incredible but my mom tends to get a bit of a stick up her ass when she hasn’t seen me in a while. Considering my sister, Nana, and Uncle Scott never miss Sunday lunch, she doesn’t take too kindly to it when I do.

  In my defense, Nana, my mother’s mother, never misses anything, like ever. Uncle Scott, who isn’t actually my uncle but a very good family friend, has exactly two friends and that’s my mom and dad, so he always shows. He and dad usually end up sneaking off shortly after eating whatever elaborate thing my mom made to drink beer and watch whatever sports program happens to be on at the time. And Starr, well she still lives with my parents so she’s there by default. I keep telling my mom that shouldn’t count but in her book it does.

  “Fine.” I groan, knowing she’s right. There’s no way I can get out of it a third weekend in a row, especially considering I’ll be missing next Sunday to be in Nashville with Emma. “You sure you don’t want to come with me?” I lift my head, spotting my best friend leaning in the doorway waiting to make sure I’m actually going to get up.

  “I think I hit my quota for the month. Besides, I’m pretty sure your Nana still hates me. I swear I feel her glaring at me every time I go anywhere near her.”

  “She does not hate you.” I laugh.

  “No, she only blames me for every bad decision you’ve ever made,” she says with a smile on her face and humor in her voice.

  “She has to blame someone I guess.” I grin, slowly sitting up before dropping my legs over the side of the bed.

  I stretch my arms over my head, my body sore in all the right places, causing my smile to spread.

  “And there she goes,” Emma says knowingly, turning in the doorway. “I’ll leave you to day dream about your hottie. I got shit to do. I’ll be back later tonight.”

  “Love you,” I say to her backside seconds before she disappears down the hall.

  “Love you back,” she says, the front door opening and closing moments later.

  I close my eyes and take a deep breath. The smell of Hudson’s cologne still lingers in the room, almost as prominent as his touch still lingers on my skin.

  I know it was just one night. Despite any plans Emma has to prove otherwise, that’s probably all it will ever be.

  Even still, I can’t deny the way my stomach flutters at the thought of seeing him again next weekend, even if I think it’s ultimately a bad idea. There’s no way things will work between us long term so why make it any harder than it already is.

  And even though I know with almost absolute certainty that this is true, it doesn’t silence that small voice in my head saying maybe things could turn out differently for us.

  I give myself exactly thirty seconds to mull that over before I force myself out of bed, knowing the only thing worse than not showing for Sunday lunch is showing late and making everyone wait to eat.

  Chapter Four

  “I can’t believe I let you talk me into this,” I say, pausing on the sidewalk under a huge sign that reads Thrive – the bar where Hudson is apparently playing.

  We’ve been in Nashville a total of three hours and while every part of me has been dying to reach this moment, now that we’re here I have the sudden urge to turn around and run in the opposite direction.

  “Relax, Len.” Emma slides an arm across my shoulders. “He’s gonna be over the moon to see you.”

  “And what if he isn’t?” I voice my real concern out loud for the first time.

  “He will be,” she assures me, giving me a squeeze before dropping her arm. “You look incredible. There’s no way he’s going to see you and not lose his fucking breath.” She smiles, her eyes sliding down my outfit.

  Since it’s a bit chillier in Tennessee, I decided against the dress Emma tried to get me to wear and settled on a pair of dark skinny jeans partnered with an off the shoulder charcoal sweater. My black boots hit me about mid-calf, accessorized with charcoal boot socks with black bows on the sides. I kept my hair down and wavy and my make-up natural.

  I feel good. Not particularly sexy like I did the night I met Hudson, but definitely more myself. Which if I remember correctly, Hudson really liked.

  “Come on, girl. Everything will be great, you’ll see.” Emma loops her arm through mine and pulls me through the front door of the bar.

  The moment we step inside, it’s clear to see that it’s standing room only. People are packed into the small space like sardines, talking so loudly you can barely hear the music coming from the in house speaker sys
tem.

  My eyes find the stage which is set up with full band equipment only there’s no band in sight.

  Leaning into Emma, I practically shout, “I thought Hudson was playing.”

  “He’s probably on a break or something. Come on,” she says, giving my arm another tug as she pulls me further into the room.

  I fumble forward, my eyes scanning the crowd until they land on the side of Hudson’s smiling face and my entire body freezes.

  Emma must feel me go rigid next to her as I feel her eyes on the side of my face before she turns to follow my line of sight.

  “See, told ya he’d be here...” The last word trails off as she takes in the same scene that I am.

  Hudson’s sitting at a round high top table to the right of the stage, a stunning brunette in his lap, and two blondes filling the other two seats next to him.

  The woman in his lap leans down and whispers something in his ear. He drops his head back and laughs, the sound seeming to vibrate through me even though I can’t actually hear it.

  “Probably just some groupie.” Emma bumps her shoulder against mine.

  And that’s when it happens. That’s when I watch the perfect brunette dip her head, her lips landing on Hudson’s. I watch as she practically swallows his face for all of three seconds before I move in the opposite direction.

  My chest feels tight and tears sting the back of my nose the instant the cool evening air hits my face. Walking a good ten feet away from the front entrance, I don’t stop until Emma’s fingers close around my wrist from behind.

  “Lennon.”

  “Do not Lennon me.” I rip my arm out of her grasp, spinning on my heel to face her. “I told you to leave it alone. I told you I didn’t want to do this. I knew this would happen. I knew it.” I throw my hands up in the air.

  “You don’t even know what’s going on in there, Len. She could be nothing more than some bimbo trying to throw herself at the hot guy on the mic tonight.”

  “Sure didn’t look like she had to throw very hard,” I bite, emotion welling in my throat.

  I’m pissed. Pissed that I came here against my better judgment. Pissed that less than a week after he was in my bed, he’s making out with another girl. When I’ve been unable to think about anything but him. And I’m furious with myself for feeling as hurt as I do right now.