For the Love of Gracie Read Free Page A

“Really think I’m going to be judged here?” A hearty laugh sounded, and it took a moment to realize it was coming from me. I liked this guy; he reminded me of Cam. Hudson didn’t seem to like the attention he gave me. He marked his territory by playing with my hair and keeping a firm grip on one of my hands, in plain view, at all times.
    After a few drinks, Cameron leaned over and put his hand on my breasts. "This shirt makes these look awesome, girl." 
    Hudson stood up quickly, kicking his chair back, sending it sailing across the room. He snarled, "What the hell was that?" 
    I stepped in between him and Cameron. "Calm down, Hudson." 
    Cameron butted in. "I think Gracie can tell me if she doesn’t want me to do something.  She's a big girl." 
    Hudson pushed forwar d and I shoved him back.  "Stop! Take a look around for a moment and realize where you are." 
    He glanced around with a scowl on his face. It took him a moment, but his surroundings began to sink in.
    "Is this a gay bar?" he asked, a little taken aback. 
    I laughed. "Yep. Cameron is gay. He can touch my boobs anytime he wants and he's not a threat."  Hudson faced Cameron and raised in hands in the air, as if in surrender.  "Sorry, man. It would have been nice if Gracie had told me that." 
    Cameron stood up and accepted the apology, but asked, "Do you introduce your friends by saying 'This is my gay friend Cameron'?"
    Hudson nodded. "I get it. Sorry for being a jerk." He turned to me. "I'll be back; I'm going to hit the head." 
    As Hudson left, Cameron pulled me onto his lap.  "Gracie, he's cute and I'm sure he's a great lay, but girl you deserve better than that. You keep falling for such asshats." He was right, though I didn’t want to admit it. 
    "I know.  Hudson's just insecure. He's not a bad guy. Give him a chance , for me." I stood up and put my hand out. “In the meantime, come dance with me, hottie." 
    Cameron and I went out to the main floor of the club, with the beat jumping, and got our groove on.  We had always loved to dance together. I had my arms wrapped around his neck and he was grinding against me as I threw back my head, laughing at the faces he made. 
    I felt a tap on my shoulder. Hudson was angry. His ears practically had smoke rolling out of them. He yanked my arm and dragged me outside. Cameron followed close behind. Once we got out in the street, Cameron yelled, "What is your problem, man?  Take your fucking hands off of her!" 
    Hudson turned and raised his fist. I slipped in between them. "You hit him and so help me…" 
    Hudson scowled, "A dude hit on me in the bathroom.  I don’t need this crap. Let's go." He grabbed my arm again and I yanked away from him.
    "You should be flattered.  All you have to do is say you aren’t interested. Don't be such a homophobe!"
    Hudson stepped back. "Let's go back to my place. I wanna spend time with you, baby." He tried to use sweet talk to get on my good side, but it wasn't working this time. 
    "I'm staying here with my friend," I grabbed Cam's hand in mine. "See ya later, Hudson. Have fun walking the dog tonight." He cursed and stomped away to his car. 
    Cameron put his arm around me. "Gracie, Gracie, Gracie, where do you find these assholes?" 
     
    I spent the rest of the evening with Cameron, Ashton, and Gavin. Mary Jane and Angel bolted on us around two in the morning to go home.  It was the third beer, after my second martini that had me feeling it was time to call it a night, which was around four in the morning. Whenever I drank, I always mumbled to myself, "Beer before liquor, never sicker. Liquor before beer, never fear."  I lived by that rule and I had learned the hard way, once, how very true it was. 
    Every month or so , we would get together for what we called 'Loozas', and they usually had a theme. Our first looza, called Cam-is-fabpalooza was absolutely crazy. I had to credit Cam for coming up with that fabulous name.  I was triple dog dared to