Page 14 of One Quick Obsession

So I picked up my phone, went through the security cameras, and then went to get a broom.

I couldn’t sweep this away, couldn’t push it away, but I could at least help him clean up this mess.

Because it wasn’t as if he was going to let me do it on my own. At least not tonight.

Chapter Four

Hudson

I had moved to Cage Lake to escape and to get out from underneath the eyes of my family. I had thought living in the mountains would mean I would be able to avoid many of the commitments that came with being around people. It wasn’t that I hated people, it was more that I didn’t like them all the time. They could be greedy, loud, rude, and intrusive. They could break you, take everything that you thought you could want, and shatter the lives of those you care about.

I did better on my own and liked being on my own.

Then I realized that moving to a small mountain town wasn’t exactly like I thought it would be. Because living in Cage Lake didn’t mean I could escape my problems or avoid the rest of the world—it somehow made it worse.

“Why the hell did you drag me down here again?” I rumbled, my voice as low as possible. But with how deep it was, it still carried. Hence the glare on a couple of faces.

I watched Isabella’s grin twitch ever so slightly and resented it. “I asked if you would like to join us. You’re the one who decided to follow through and join.”

I looked over at Weston, who just shrugged. “Hey. I’m only here because I fell in love with her. I didn’t have a choice.”

My friend grunted and rubbed his stomach from where Isabella’s elbow had just gone. My sister merely raised a brow at his look. “Really? You’re going to make that type of comment? You’re the one who’s from Cage Lake. Not to mention you’re the one who told us that there was an event today.”

Weston sighed. “It’s St. Patrick’s Day. And we’re Cage Lake. I assumed you knew there would be some form of ridiculous parade and event, with pies and whatever else they find. It’s what we do. We just didn’t help organize it this time because we were down in Denver, so I didn’t think about it.”

“I mean really, how dare you,” I said, my own lips twitching.

“Seriously, you should know by now that it’s Cage Lake, and we really do just go overboard,” my friend finally said, no longer hiding behind his smile.

I ignored both Weston and my sister. “This still doesn’t help me realize exactly why I’m here.”

I had been safe and happy in my own house, without having to deal with people, or this event, and yet here I was. With no escape because a few people had already seen me. Now running away was no longer an option.

“You’re so cute when you’re grumpy.”

I flipped off Weston and ignored the glare on one of the passersby’s face. I didn’t know what the lady was expecting. I was Hudson Cage, the town recluse and asshole. They should be used to my inability to act like a citizen of a polite society by now.

“If you really want to leave, we can make excuses for you,” Isabella whispered, worry in her tone.

I let out a sigh, my shoulders dropping. And that right there was why I couldn’t leave. Because of course Isabella would be kind to me in the end. Sure, she had just as much of an attitude and ability to put all of our siblings in place as Aston could—it had to be an older sibling thing—but, just like Aston, she actually cared about us too.

“No, it’s fine. I’ll stay.”

“Because if you stay now, then you don’t have to do the next couple of holiday things? I see how it is.” Weston smirked, and this time avoided Isabella’s elbow.

He wrapped his arm around her shoulder, tilted her head back, and took her lips in a kiss that was mildly inappropriate for the public area, however, people just clapped and looked ecstatic that the town mechanic and one of the new Cages were happy and in love.

I rolled my eyes and watched as yet another parade float with green shamrocks and fake gold coins slowly meandered past.

“It’s still been snowing,” I said after a moment. “We have a fresh powder on the mountain, and I know that the resort has been busy as hell, and yet we’re out here in the cold, dealing with this. Why?” I asked.

Isabella gave me a look. “Because that’s when St. Patrick’s Day occurs during the year. I mean, it always happens on March 17th, so it’s not that big of a surprise. And you sure know a lot about the resort.”

This time I full-on glared at her, and she held up her hands, conceding. At least I hoped she was conceding. “Touchy subject.”

“I know about the business, thank you.” Because that was a decent excuse, right?

My sister slid her fingers through Weston’s as she spoke. “Okay. Though I know you haven’t been around lately. And Weston and I are heading back down to Denver soon. You think you can handle the resort? Or shall we send Flynn up?”