Twisted Collide: The new sports romance in the Redville Saints series
Twisted Collide: Chapter 61

I can’t believe these guys convinced me to meet them.

This is by far the last place I want to be. I trudge through the dimly lit bar, looking for my friends. After tonight, I might downgrade them back to teammates.

The music is obnoxious, and the walls practically rattle from the bass.

In the corner, in the usual spot, I replace a way too happy Hudson, Mason, and, surprisingly enough, Aiden. Although I see him every day, he rarely goes out unless he’s forced to or Cassidy has convinced him it would be good for him.

I narrow my eyes as I approach, and I can tell something’s up by how tight Aiden’s jaw is. I glance over at Hudson. He’s grinning like an idiot, but his demeanor isn’t going to help me figure out what’s going on. The man is always a juvenile child.

“There he is!” Hudson leans back in his seat, a shit-eating grin spreading across his face.

“Why are you so happy?”

Hudson shrugs. “I’m always happy. I give golden retriever vibes.”

“Nah, just a horndog. And you.” I turn to Aiden, suspicious. “What are you even doing here?”

Hudson claps his hands in front of his face like an excited schoolboy, and Aiden groans.

“Why did we invite him?” Aiden asks Mason while pointing at Hudson.

“Hey! It was my idea to grab a drink.”

“He has a point.” Mason shrugs.

“Plus, you both wanted to know what’s up his ass—shit. I wasn’t supposed to say that yet.”

“Yet?” I quirk my eyebrow. What the hell did I just walk into?

“Yeah, sorry, man. Okay, let me start this again.” Hudson stands from his seat and gestures to Mason, Aiden, and himself. “We’re staging an intervention.”

“My intervention?”

“Oh, boy. Pretty Boy is slow, but he is catching up.”

“From what?” I barely drink. I don’t do drugs, and none of them know about my relationship with Hellfire.

“You being a bigger asshole than normal.”

“Are you fucking kidding me?”

“Case in point.” Hudson reaches forward, grabs the pitcher, and pours me a beer. “Listen, man, we love you, but what the hell is going on with you?”

I take the glass from him, lifting it to my mouth. “I’m fine.”

“You’re not fine.”

“Okay, I’m tired.”

Hudson swirls the napkin in front of him. “Tired? That’s the best you’ve got?”

“Is Hudson the official team leader?” I turn to look at Aiden. “And here I thought you were the captain.”

“I’m just here for the beer. I thought this was a terrible idea. When you’re ready to talk, you will.” He shrugs.

“You’re no help, Slate.” Hudson turns to Mason next. “Goodie, are you going to sell me out too?”

“You have been a little more irritable than usual.”

Hudson rolls his eyes. “Seriously, Goodie, that’s all you’ve got? The man practically ripped the equipment manager a new asshole yesterday, and how about his fucking water bottle?”

Okay, he might have a point with that one. I did kind of lose my shit because the water in my water bottle was too high and started to overflow off the side, but in my defense, I had just gotten a letter from an unknown person basically telling me my life was over. Not that they know that, so I guess from their point of view, I have been kind of an asshole.

“Fine. I may be a little stressed, but I don’t want to talk about it. Everything is fine, and while I appreciate you guys being concerned, I promise I have this.”

Aiden nods, his expression softening. “I guess what we’re trying to say, not eloquently ’cause Hudson’s involved, is shit can get rough, and we all know that, but we wanted to remind you that you’re not in this alone.”

If anyone knows anything about keeping their secrets close to their heart, it’s Aiden. While I am happy that he was able to replace Cassie and no longer needs to hide anything, my issue isn’t that simple. I can’t ever have the girl I want in my life, as I know it could change if my secret gets out, but instead of saying any of that, I lift my drink and take a swig.

“Thanks, guys. And I know. I appreciate it. But I promise I’m okay.”

“Fine, we’re done. Now, let’s drink.” Hudson smirks.

“We already are drinking.”

“I think what he’s trying to say is let’s get drunk,” Mason clarifies.

“Yes, that!” Hudson agrees.

“I’ll pass,” Aiden and I say at the same time.

“I get him, but you, you’re single. Where’s your fun?”

Lost to a hellfire.