Still, she wished he would get over Hudson already. It had been long enough, and still he was walking around like a zombie. The worst part about it, she thought, was that he didn’t even know why he was doing it. He was so clueless, he probably thought he had the flu or something. She knew that if she told him the real reason he was being so moody, he wouldn’t believe her. He was incapable of it, she was certain of it. He gets more excited about a sea slug than he does about sex, she thought. He probably doesn’t even jerk off.

She was walking so quickly that she didn’t even notice Brian calling to her. It wasn’t until he was in front of her, waving his hand in her face, that she saw him.

“You must have something on your mind,” he said. “I’ve been calling to you for half a block.”

“Sorry,” Caddie said. “I was just thinking. What are you doing?”

“Lunch,” said Brian. “How about you?”

“Lunch,” Caddie told him.

Brian took her hand. “Great,” he said. “We can go together.”

Caddie didn’t particularly want to hold hands. It made her feel like a little kid, as if she were crossing a dangerous street and needed looking after. She almost told Brian to let go. But then she saw Hudson. He was walking toward them, and he’d seen her. She tightened her grip on Brian’s hand and fixed a smile on her face.

“Hi,” she said when Hudson stopped. “Brian, you remember Hudson,” she said, as if they were an old married couple running into a recent acquaintance.

“Sure,” Brian said. “How’s it going?”

“Nice to see you,” Hudson said shortly. “How’s your dad, Caddie?”

“He’s fine,” she answered. “Busy.”

“I was on my way to see him,” Hudson said.

Caddie’s heart skipped a beat. “I wouldn’t,” she said. “He’s right in the middle of something.”

Hudson nodded. “Thanks for the warning,” he said evenly. “But I think I’ll chance it.” He smiled, and Caddie understood that they were now enemies. Something had changed in him since she’d last seen him. He seemed colder somehow, more determined. More dangerous, she thought with some alarm.

“We’re going to lunch,” Brian said when no one spoke.

“Enjoy it,” said Hudson. “I’m sure we’ll see each other again.”

He walked away from them. Caddie turned and watched. She wanted to run after him, to jump on his back and pound his face with her fists. She wanted to tell him to stay away. But then Brian pulled on her hand, and she felt herself being dragged forward as Hudson went to meet her father.

CHAPTER 36

CHAPTER 36