Here Comes the Light (Cambrooke #1) (26 page)

“Huh?” Hudson sits up groggily. The only light coming from my cell phone which tells me it is one AM.

“There is someone out there.” I whisper again. He picks up the flash light and I feel around on the floor to find my clothes when the door swings open and a flash light is shone on us.

“Hey man, your blinding me.” Hudson says holding his arm in front of his eyes.

“Look who we have here.” Ethan’s voice comes from behind the light making my stomach turn.

“What are you doing here, Ethan, this is private property.” Hudson’s voice is clipped.

“I thought you said this was yours.”  A girl says as she hangs on Ethan.

“Go wait on the porch.” He snaps at her as he pushes her out the door and slams it shut. Smooth date.

“Hey!” I hear the girl shriek.

“Where’s your bodyguard?” he asks me. Then he turns the flashlight back to Hudson, “I thought you two had new people. “
You cheating on Nova and Miley cheatin on bodyguard?”  He takes a step towards us and Hudson positions himself in front of me like a shield as I hurry to throw my clothes on good thing its summer and I wasn’t wearing much to begin with.

“Ethan you need to leave.” Hudson’s voice echoes through the miniscule cabin.

“What’re you going to do about out here where there are no witnesses? No followers to pull us apart.” He says before pointing the light on me again. Luckily I am now dressed. “I don’t understand, Miley. What do Bodyguard and Hudson have that I don’t? Every other girl in the school wants me…”  Hudson mouths the word ‘run.’ I am not sure what he is planning but I obey and try to shoot past Ethan.

I hear a smack against flesh and Ethan stumbles back against me. I fall into the wall before I feel his hands grip me. “Ethan this isn’t funny.” Hudson says now his voice not as certain as it was
before. “You need to leave you’re trespassing.”

“But who would ever know I was here.” He laughs as he grips me tighter. “You know I could easily do away with you and your tease girlfriend here and nobody would know.”

“You aren’t going to murder us.” Hudson chides.

“What’
s going on in there?” the drunk girl Ethan brought here with him shouts as she swings the door open.

Ethan now has a very large arm around my stomach as he pulls me tighter against
him I can barely breath. “Shut up!” Ethan shouts to her before I feel him jolt then let go of me.

“Run!” Hudson yells. I don’t waste a second before my feet are dashing towards Hudson’s car I grab the girl’s wrist
and pull her with me. Hudson is right behind me when we climb into his car. He pauses.

“What are you doing?” I yell.  He doesn’t respond he runs to Ethan’s truck and pulls the keys out of the ignition then tosses them towards the pond the light clinking noise tells us that they hit the dock. Hudson then proceeds to climb into the car wearing only his boxer shorts. I am
tossed and flipped around the car as Hudson flies down rutted hill.  Gravel hits the car and we slide almost sideways when we pull out of the hidden drive my heart thunders in my chest.

“Hudson, what the heck is going on?” The girl chimes from the back seat. How does she know Hudson?

He quickly glances back at her. “Bree?” he says in shock.

“What?” I turn around and notice. I hadn’t gotten a good l
ook at her before. “Bree?” She is Carly’s best friend she is only fifteen what is she doing at the cabin with Ethan?

Bree huffs and flops back in the seat pulling her arms across her chest. “Don’t judge me.” she chi
des. Who said I was judging her?

“What were you doing with Ethan, aren’t you staying with
Carly tonight?” Hudson’s jaw tightens when he says this.

“What is going on?” she snaps back at him.

“Ethan attacked me in May and he just tried to again tonight.” I reply.

“How did you end up with Ethan?” Hudson is now sounding impatient.

“Carly and I snuck out and went to a party tonight. Ethan asked if I wanted to go to private party with him.”

“What party?” he growls as he grips the steering wheel tighter.

“Why?”

“Because
Carly doesn’t need to be at a party and neither do you.” He snaps.

She lets out a laugh. “What are you my da
d? You have no say in what I do.”

“When you are with my sister I do.” He snaps back at her. “Now where is she?”

My phone begins to chime one right after another. I pull it out of my pocket and stare. “We haven’t had service.” Hudson explains. I nod, but my heart sinks a little when I see Declan’s name several times. In between missed text messages from Aunt Kate.  My dad probably would have barely noticed me getting in this late, but Aunt Kate is a different story. Hudson pulls off the side of the road when and climbs out of the car.

“What are you doing?” I ask frantically as I look behind us to see if we are being followed.

“I have a gym bag in my trunk. I don’t want to go into town naked.”

“I don’t mind.”  Bree says from the back seat. I snap my head and around and glare at her. She shrugs. “I was only joking.”

“Miley!” Aunt Kate yells the moment I walk in. Brody is standing in the doorway to the kitchen his hair is a mess as he leans against the wall with his arms crossed not looking any happier with me than Aunt Kate is. “Where have you been?” her hair is in a messy ponytail and some has started fall out hanging the pieces with loosely around her face. “If something happened to you on my watch…”

“I’m fine.” I cut her off. I am too tired for a lecture right now.  “I fell asleep.” I glanc
e over at Brody again. “So you’re having sleepovers now?” I say dryly trying to get the attention off of me.

“Brody is here because he was worried about you.” She snaps. I have never seen my Aunt Kate this angry with me. She has always been the cool aunt.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to fall asleep.” My tone is not as snippy when I see the fear in her eyes. She pulls her arms around me and holds me tight against her.

“
My gosh, I was so worried. I would be a horrible parent.” She giggles a little. “Please don’t do that to me again.”

“Caring wouldn’t make you a horrible parent.” I say t
o her. I notice Brody look away obviously a little uncomfortable witnessing our Hallmark moment. “I’m sorry. I promise I won’t do it again.”

Chapter 24

“H
ey.” He smiles at me when I make it to the bottom of the stairs. I freeze seeing Declan here this morning I am flooded with guilt. Aunt Kate looks at me with raised eyebrows. “Can I talk to you?” He asks me. I look at Aunt Kate like she is going to tell me the right answer or something. Why do I feel guilty about what happened with Hudson when he is technically my boyfriend and Declan and I broke up two days ago?

“Yeah.”
I say softly as I nod toward the back door. He follows me out to the pool area where we sit on the patio furniture. Neither of us says anything at first. I just stare at the gray concrete bellow me as guilt grips my neck like a vice.

“I’m sorry.” He says finally after what seems like forever.

“What are you sorry about?”

“Not being upfront with you. I should have told you everything to begin with.”
This guilt balls up and takes residence in the middle of my throat now. I’m the one who should be apologizing.

“I might have over reacted.” I speak softly my eyes still examine the concrete floor.

“Does that mean you forgive me?” he asks. I finally look up at him as the tears stream down my cheeks. He pushes his chair close to me and places his hand on my back.

“I forgive yo
u, but you might not forgive me,” my voice cracks.

“What are you talking about?” his brow wrinkles. “I forgive you.” His hand lightly rubs my back. I pull a
way from him. He tilts his head.

“I am really confused right now.” I bite my lip and look back down at
what suddenly has become the most interesting concrete ever. “Hudson and I are back together.” I finally breathe out quickly. I can’t look at him I don’t want to see his reaction, but hearing his breath hitch is just as bad. My chin begins to quiver. “I’m sorry.” The words barely break through the cracks in my voice.

“We have on
e fight and you run back to him,” his voice sounds deflated now and I have never felt so bad in my life. I hate that I hurt him.

“D,” I finally turn towards him. His eyes blue eyes are glossy as he stares into mine like he is searching for an answer of why I am doing this. “I am sorry. I don’t want to hurt you. Hudson and I have so much history…”

“History of being treated like crap?” he snaps as he shakes his head. “What do you want history or someone who would do anything for you?” He slides his hand across his eye. I can’t believe I am making him cry. I am a horrible person. He shakes his head and looks out at the pool. His adams apple moves up then back down. “I am sorry I can’t give you drama or treat you like he does. If history of treating you like dirt is what I am competing with he wins.” He holds his hands out. A breeze passes through bringing his soft soapy scent to my nose making me remember the wedding. Did I just make the biggest mistake of my life?

He slides his chair back away from me and places both flip flop adorned feet on to the ground before he pushes himself up.
“Maybe it’s my fault, maybe I missed it.” He says. I have no clue what he is talking about as he taps a finger on the table. “See you around.” He mumbles before he stalks away. He doesn’t go back inside and through the house like everyone normally does instead he uses the gate on our tall privacy fence to leave. As soon as he is out of sight I throw my head into my crossed arms on the table tears flow out of my eyes. How can it hurt this much? He was only technically my boyfriend for a couple days. I don’t know how long I am out here when I feel a hand on my back.

“Miley,” Aunt Kate’s soft and caring tone reminds me of my mother’s. “What’s going on with those two guys?” I hear the chair Declan had just occupied slide closer to me again.

“Have you ever been in love?” I lift my face up and look at her.

She frowns when I ask this. “I have.”
Her voice even softer.

“Have you ever been in love with two guys at one time?” I ask. Her hand that had been rubbing circles in my back suddenly stops and she stares out at the pool with a small smile.

“Miley, if you were really in love don’t you think you would only be in love with one or the other?” She looks back at me. “I have seen you with both boys this week and I can tell which one you are truly in love with.” I crunch my nose up not sure I understand her. “And only one of those boys truly loves you.”

“Which one?”
I ask and stare at her like she has the secrets of the universe if she would just tell me which one I should be with then this would be so much easier.

“Which on
e constantly puts you before himself?” I hate it when people do this, answer my question with another question.

“Well…” I tilt my head to the side.

“Love is patient.” She says. “Love is kind, it doesn’t envy or boast. It’s not proud. It is not self seeking. It keeps no records of wrongs.” I recognize this; the preacher said the same thing at the wedding. “Who does that describe?”

“Both?” I ask her. She gives me a soft smile and shakes her head.

“No , it does not describe both and you know it.” Her eyebrows lower. “Do you want to know what I think?”

I let out a long breath and roll my eyes. “You’re going to tell me anyway aren’t you?”

She smiles and nods. “I think the one you are leaning towards you don’t care about as much. He is safer. You’re scared of how much you care about the other one. You’re scared of getting hurt.”

“You’re wrong.” I snap. “Hudson an
d I have been together for two…”

“How did you know which one I was talking about if I am wrong?” she cuts me off before she makes her way back into the house.

I try to float around my pool and take my mind off of things. Off of Declan and Hudson. What does Aunt Kate know? She has only been around for a couple of days. I am not afraid of Declan hurting me. Hudson and I…I love him, we just work. How could I possibly care more about Declan than Hudson? Hudson and I have been through so much together. So many things that were meant to tears us apart.

I hear a whistle making me jump from my thoughts. I shield my e
yes from the sun as I look at the figure on my patio. “Hey sexy.” Hudson says making me smile. I roll off my raft and swim to the edge.

“What are you doing?”

“Just stopped by because you weren’t answering your phone, I figured this is where you would be. There’s this party tonight.” He slides his hands into the pockets of his khaki shorts.

“I don’t want to
go to a party Hudson.” I sigh and I lay my hands up on the patio, squinting my eyes as I look upwards.

“Come on. I need to go be with the team and I need you there.” He says almost in a whine. I dunk my head under the water and come back up pushing my hair off my face.

“You know too much sun is bad for you right?” Oh here he goes again on the skin cancer lecture.

“You know not enough sun is bad for you?” I laugh when I splash him. He backs away. “Come on get in with me the water feels great.”

He shakes his head. “So I will be back to get you later for the party.” He doesn’t ask, he just tells me.

“Only if you swim with me.”
I tease as I splash at him again.

He shakes his head. “I don’t swim.” He reminds me, he does swim but not when it is just him and I in my pool. He swims at parties and lakes when he tries to get me to skinny dip with him. He looks back at the house. “So I will be back by to get you at seven alright?” He walks away from me not even giving me a chance to tell him no as I swim back to the house I can’t help but think about how much fun Declan is.

The music is loud we are fashionable late for the party as usual. He took me out to eat and then wanted to make out in the car for a little bit before coming to the party. He has his arm draped around me like he owns me as we make our way through the crowd. Guys fist bump him on our way through
.

“Hudson, hey.”
Coby walks up to him all suspicious as normal he looks at me like he is surprised to see us together for a second. “I need to talk to you man.”

Hudson nods. “Miley, can you go get me a beer.” He smiles at me but something about this doesn’t sit right with me. What am I his servant? Because I don’t want to make a scene right
here I nod then make my way through the sweaty-ear-numbing house.  We have partied here before so I know my way around.

I’
m almost to a kitchen when an under classman, he had to be a freshman wiggles his eyebrows at me. “Hey how you doing?” he slurs standing right in front of me. Really? That is the best he can come up with.

“Dude.”
  A wiry guy I am assuming about the same age grabs the flirty ones arm. “Do you have a death wish? That is Ley’s girl.” He says as he pulls him away. I finally am at the kitchen where Grayson Miller. A junior on the football team pumps some beer into a clear plastic cup for me.

“Tell Hudson
get his own beer next time or I’m going to steal his date.” Grayson tries to flirt with a wink. I just nod and give half a smile. As soon as I am out of the kitchen my arm holding the beer is slammed into my stomach and the beer slashes all over my white tee.

“Miley
, I am so sorry.” Another freshman guy, is all apologetic and shakey.

“Do I know you?” I ask him.

“Probably not, but everybody knows you, your Hudosn’s girl.” If I hear that one more time tonight I am going to scream. He looks down at my soaked shirt. “Please don’t tell Hudson he will kick my a…”

“I am not going to tell Hudson.” I snap with a hand out. “It was an accident.” I rush away from the kid. I can’t believe how many people are scared of my boyfriend. I find a bathroom upstairs and clean my sh
irt off realizing just what a bad idea it was wearing white. I dry my shirt with a blow dryer before venturing back out to the party. I still smell like beer, but so does everyone else at this place.

“
Carly?” I am shocked to see her when I open the bathroom door Bree and her sway holding each other up. “What are you doing here? Hudson is going to flip.”

“Actually he’s not.” She gives me a snotty smile.

“What?”

“It’s called black mail. My parents would flip if they knew he took you to the cabin…alone.” She says in the same tone Jess would use.

“You two shouldn’t be here.” I don’t want to see Carly and Bree end up like Jess and Nova.

“Whatever.”
Carly chides flipping her hair off her shoulder.

“You should be enjoying your innocence as long as you can.” I say.

She laughs at me. “Too late for that.” My jaw drops at this. I guess Nova was Carly’s age when she lost her virginity at one of these parties. “We are not all prudes like you Miley.” She rolls her eyes. “I know all about it how you made Hudson wait for almost two years to have sex with him while all his friends badgered him for sticking with you for so long. I am sorry. I don’t want to be like that.” Guess her mom should be worried about putting her on the pill instead of worrying about me.

That is when I spot Nova and she sees me. I turn from
Carly and pretend not to see her as I make my way through the sea of drunken teens. I zig-zag through everyone hopping to lose her. I make my way outside and behind a crowd of people.

“Miley.” She says
. I turn around dreading this encounter.

“Nova, I am so sorry. I told you I was over him.”

“What are you talking about?” her earrings jingle as she tilts her head at me.

“
Hudson and I.”

“Since when?” she whispers.

“Yesterday. I thought he told you.” My heart sinks when I realize she doesn’t know.

She blinks slowly and purses her lips together. “No, he told me he thought it wasn’t working, nothing about you two.”

“I’m sorry.” I whisper when someone bumps into me nearly knocking Nova and me together. She takes a small step backwards avoiding the collision holding her drink in the air; her top riding up showing even more of her mid drift than what she was.

“It’s alright I’m not mad at you, but you do deserve better.”

“Hey, Nova.” A guy waves her over.

“Billy!” she holds a finger in the air telling him she will be a minute. She turns back to me. “My date calls.” She says with a bounce. Obviously she isn’t tore up about Hudson any.

“Is Jess here?” I want to be prepared.

“No, she is too good for high school parties now.” She calls over her shoulder as she
skips away.

Okay now it is time to figure out where Hudson went. I make my way back into the house asking everyone on my way in if they have seen him. Most haven’t seen him at all
, others not since he walked in with me. I make it to the keg where Grayson is leaning his elbow on it like he owns it. He smiles a crooked smile. “Too bad for Ley.” He clicks his tongue. “I found my date.” He tries to hook his arm around me and I move away. He nearly loses his balance I can tell he probably has had most of the keg himself.

“Have you seen Hudson at all?” I say exasperated now.

“Nah,” he shakes his head slowly his eyes red and glossy. “He keeps sending you for his beer.” He slurs. “I wouldn’t treat you like a slave.” I roll my eyes and walk away.  Continuing my search I look out on the front porch, the crowded front room and some of the bedroom, no Hudson though I did see more than I wanted to.

I finally break down and send him a text when it becomes apparent no one has seen him.

Miley: where r u?
            Hudson: Beer run

My insides begin to turn as I stare at the text. He abandons me at the party I didn’t even want to come to?

Miley: there is beer here
            Hudson: I don’t want keg beer

“Oh whatever.”
I say a little too loud to my phone attracting some attention. I shove my phone back in my pocket and stalk towards the door.

“Miley where you going?”
I hear someone call out, but I don’t stop and look at who is saying this. Once outside I look around and don’t see Hudson’s car. I walk briskly away from the party. I don’t know where I’m going, but I’m not staying here. I didn’t even want to be here. He couldn’t tell me he was leaving? He just takes off like I won’t care or maybe he thought I wouldn’t notice. The further I get away from the party the more uneasy I feel. It’s dark and I don’t like being alone at night. I can’t believe I am doing this. I pull out my phone not even knowing if he will talk to me after everything. I slide my thumb across his name.

“Hey, Miley.” He says in his normal happy tone like nothing happened between us.

“I need you.” My face immediately warms up when I realize how that sounds. “I mean I need a ride if you still want to talk to me and all.” I say.

“Friends abandon you again?” he asks.

“Hudson did. Look I am sorry and I’m stupid. He isn’t ever going to change and I still want to be your friend if you want.”

“Where are you?” he asks
after a moment of silence making me think he was going to tell me to forget it. I look at the street sign and tell him where I am. Just as I am relaying it a car pulls upside of me. I don’t look I just keep walking and talking into the phone. The car slowly creeps beside me as I walk.

“Miley.” Hudson says exasperated, “what are you doing?” I keep walking Declan says he will see me in a few and I hang up. Hudson continues to drive beside me. “Where are you going?” I can hear the irritation in his voice.

“Home.” I deadpan and stare straight ahead as I keep walking.

He curses. “Miley, don’t start this tonight.”  He continues to drive slowly beside me.
“I went on a quick run. I was the only one sober enough to drive.”  I keep walking I am tired of hearing his excuses. “Miley.” His voice rises. “Get in the car.”

I stop abruptly and turn to stare at him. “You are kidding right? I didn’t even want to be at that stupid party.”

“Oooooh someone is in trouble,” comes from the backseat.

“Shut
up Colten.” He snaps finally putting the car in park and getting out beside me. I roll my eyes and start walking again.

“Miley! Stop being a drama queen and get in the car.” He says gripping my arm hard. “Can we not have one night without you flipping out about something?”

“No!” I scream at him making him flinch then tighten his jaw. He glances at his car where Colten and Coby are sitting. “Things haven’t changed. They never will. You always come first in your world.” I try to pull out of his grasp but he just holds my arm tighter.

“Get in the car now.” He snaps
gripping me a little harder.

“Ley, man you need to calm down.”
Coby shouts from the car. I see headlights pulling up behind Hudson’s car and I am relieved. I wasn’t a hundred percent sure he was going to show up. I wouldn’t if the situation was reverse.

Declan climbs out of his truck and slowly makes his way towards us. “Let her go.” He says
cooly.

“Go away.” Hudson snaps, “This isn’t any of your business.”

“I think it is.” He says as Garrett appears beside him.

“She chose me,
” he growls. “I don’t know who you think you are swooping in a trying to steal my girl.”

“You don’t own her.”

“C’mon, Ley. Let’s go.” Coby calls out. “We don’t need trouble right before football starts.” He looks at Garrett then at Declan before letting go of my arm.

“Go ahead, you can have her. She is too hard to please anyway.” He huffs as he makes his way back to his car. He glares at Garrett. “See you a
t practice.” He says sounding like a threat before he hops in his car and squeals away. Declan pulls me into his arms once Hudson is gone.

“Are you alright? Did he hurt you?”

Tears roll uncontrollably down my cheeks.  “I’m sorry for everything.” I sob into his chest.

“It’s okay, let’s get you home.” He says softly before leading me back into the truck and lifting me in.

“I don’t get it.” Garrett’s voice huffs in the back seat.  I look out at Declan as he stands right outside pumping the gas. He smiles at me.