𝕋𝕙𝕖 ℝ𝕠𝕒𝕕 𝕥𝕠 𝕌𝕤

ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣 ℕ𝕚𝕟𝕖𝕥𝕖𝕖𝕟 | ɢʀᴏᴜᴘ

Colton

The day started with a knot in my stomach that only tightened as we all piled into Hudson's car that weekend.

The plan was to go on a hike-get some fresh air, enjoy nature, and hopefully keep the peace between everyone. But I could already feel the tension buzzing like static in the air.

I wasn't entirely sure this was going to go smoothly.

Hudson was driving, thanks to his parents not needing the car for the twins this weekend. I sat in the passenger seat, with Chuck awkwardly positioned behind me. He was as tall as I was, six foot one, so his legs seemed cramped in the backseat... I didn't envy him back there, and it probably didn't help his mood. He was already grumpy as hell, probably for feeling obligated to be here.

We had just stopped downtown to pick up Carlos, and the tension in the car was already palpable.

Carlos swung his pack next to Chuck, who immediately glared at him with annoyance for disturbing him in the little bubble he was trying to keep himself in back there.

Carlos buckled in, giving Chuck a once-over like he was sizing him up.

There was a glint of mischief in Carlos' eyes that immediately made me nervous. Sitting side by side, they seemed about the same height. They were both cramped back there, but since Carlos was much leaner he seemed slightly more comfortable.

"So, you're Chuck, huh?"

"No," Chuck responded, flatly in a deep voice, not even bothering to look at Carlos, his gaze fixed stubbornly out of the side window.

Carlos raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Okay, then," he said, leaning back in his seat with a smirk.

Hudson's eyes widened in panic as he glanced over at me, his hands tightening their grip on the steering wheel.

The last thing we needed was Chuck's attitude making this whole day even more awkward than it already was. I immediately turned around and smacked Chuck hard on the leg.

"Fuck, dude, quit it!" Chuck yelled, whipping his head around to glare at me while rubbing his leg where I'd hit him.

"How are you already being an asshole?" I snapped, my frustration rising.

Chuck bit back a smile, but the corners of his mouth twitched, betraying him. He was trying to play it cool, but I knew him too well. He couldn't resist pushing buttons, especially when he was feeling out of his element.

"It's okay, I don't really care," Carlos said with a shrug, dismissing the tension with a smile. He unzipped the small backpack he'd brought with him and pulled out a lunch box. "Hey, I brought food for us all."

Hudson's eyes lit up at the mention of food, and a genuine smile spread across his face. I felt that ugly, gnawing feeling bubble up in my gut again. I hated it-hated that I was feeling jealous, especially over something as simple as Carlos being thoughtful. But there it was, clawing at me, making my chest tighten. Just because he made Hudson smile...

God, what was fucking wrong with me?!

I forced a smile, trying to push the feeling down. "That's great, Carlos. What'd you bring?"

"Just some sandwiches and snacks," Carlos replied, opening the lunch box to reveal an assortment of neatly packed items. "Figured we might need some energy for the hike."

Hudson shot him a grateful look. "You're a lifesaver, Carlos. I didn't even think about bringing anything."

"No worries, man. I've got us covered," Carlos said with a wink.