Jack
yeah. Sid ok alone? I can pick u up outside
Hudson
I think so. He might like some time with his man.
He’d make sure one of the guys brought food, or they could bring something back.
Jack
c u soon.
“Jack okay?” Sid asked, not even glancing over toward him.
“Sorry. Yes. He’s focused on getting the team’s heads in the right place for the next event. That’s what Mackey would want him to do.”
“Do you think… I don’t want to sound ungrateful, but I’d like some time with Mackey.”
He nodded, glad that he’d read Sid right. “Of course. Jack and I were just talking about going to get something to eat.”
“I’m sorry. I just?—”
“Hey. Don’t be sorry. Take all the time you need. One of us will be back in a couple of hours to check in, okay? Text me if you need anything.” He gave Sid a quick hug, glanced again at Mackey, and left them alone.
Jack was waiting in the rental, lips in a grim line, eyes hidden by sunglasses.
God, this was so fucking hard on Jack. He climbed into the car, then leaned over for a quick kiss. “Hey, you.”
“Hey, darlin’. How goes it? You okay?” Jack grabbed his hand and squeezed it, holding on tight.
He squeezed back. “Yeah. I kind of need that beer, though. How about you?”
“Fuck, yeah. A beer. A burger. Possibly onion rings. A nice long lunch.”
Man, he’d missed this. That was horrible, he knew, with Mackey in such a bad way, but he was really missing the meaningless things like burgers and beer. “Bring it on.”
“Yeah. This part sucks. When life goes on and they haven’t.” Jack got them moving away from the hospital.
“Yeah. Yeah, that’s exactly it.” And it was fucking depressing. “I’m hungry though. First time since we got here that I’ve actually wanted food.”
“Yeah. We need to eat, check in at the hospital, and then go to bed together tonight.” Jack sounded absolutely sure about that, and Hudson wasn’t going to argue.
“Recharge our batteries. Sid will be okay for one night.” He wasn’t so sure, but he said it out loud, hoping to convince himself. “Maybe we can make him go back to his hotel.”
“He’ll stay. You would stay for me.”
He couldn’t argue with that either. “You’re right. Especially if you weren’t awake to tell me to go the fuck to bed.” He took a breath.Cheeseburgers. Try to think of something else for an hour.“Have you heard anything from Ellie? I should text her. I think her man might tie this season up, right? Or close?”
“She’d be over the damn moon. I’d love that for her.” Jack pulled into a restaurant and parked. “She deserves to be a millionaire’s wife.”
“She’s got enough kids to spend it on. She thinks she’s done, but I’m betting if he wins, she’ll be fat pregnant to start next season.” He climbed out of the rental and took a second to make sure he was steady before closing the door.
“We end up with a fuck ton of nieces and nephews, don’t we?” Jack chuckled and led him into the dark, quiet restaurant.
“Right? Uncle Hudson has a ring to it.” Oh it was nice in here. Cool, quiet, chill. “This place is perfect.”
“Right? I googled it.” Jack looked so damn proud of himself.