Beautifully Torn by Charity Parkerson (books for men to read .txt) 📕

the three of them. Maybe they had merely uncovered a deep kinship. No matter the reason for his feelings, Rocky didn’t want him to be sad.

“Call us when you’re done.” The words were out there before Rocky could think them through.

Hudson’s gaze collided with Rocky’s and didn’t budge. He looked as if he held his breath. For a moment, no one spoke. Then Hudson gave the subtlest of nods. Air filled Rocky’s lungs, making him realize he had been the one holding his breath. Jinx squeezed his knee but didn’t look his way. Rocky wondered what he had started. He wasn’t sure, but one thing was crystal clear. There was no going back.

Two

Lights twinkled in the night sky for as far as the eye could see. Wind ruffled Hudson’s hair and made goosebumps rise on his skin. He tried keeping his mind blank. Nothing good ever came from his thoughts anymore. Instead, he focused on the city lights. His mood had taken a downhill turn immediately after filming wrapped. Some people he had never met invited him to dinner. Another random dude offered to blow him in the bathroom while simultaneously doing a hit of coke. No one blinked an eye. While most days he never stopped to think about how fucked up everyone was around him, tonight he noticed. Sometimes, from seemingly out of nowhere, it would hit Hudson. His entire life had been exactly like this. Since he was thirteen, grown men he didn’t even know had calmly offered to keep him serviced in every way. Fake smiles and greedy glances always flashed his way. Now, at thirty-one, Hudson was a complete mess. He had never stood a chance.

Before tonight, the day had been a good one. It had started out iffy. He had gone to lunch with some random guys, feeling self-destructive as hell. Hudson had thought to spend the day immersing himself in every sin. Then Jinx had saved him. A smile tugged at the corners of Hudson’s mouth. Jinx... Hudson took a cleansing breath. They had met a few years back when Hudson hired Zealous Blaze to DJ a party out in the desert. From their first conversation, Hudson had known Jinx was different—like his brain didn’t work the same as everyone else’s in the world. Jinx didn’t pretend to like things if he didn’t. He didn’t smile if he didn’t feel it. It was like Jinx’s brain was extremely linear. He didn’t stray from the path of good and right. Jinx was honest and sweet. Untainted. He let Hudson touch him because he liked Hudson as a person. That was exactly why Hudson should stay away from him. Jinx liked the parts of Hudson that Hudson had shown him. There was an ugly side no one should see.

Hudson dropped his gaze to the pool three stories below. He had this beautiful home and gorgeous cars. There was nothing he couldn’t buy; except he didn’t think he could buy Jinx. Jinx’s light blue eyes flashed through Hudson’s mind. The way Jinx always stared at him while hanging on every word Hudson spoke wouldn’t leave Hudson’s mind. A set of dark green eyes joined Jinx in Hudson’s head. Rocky was opposite of Jinx in every way. He was tall. Jinx was short. He was muscular. Jinx was tiny. Rocky was older than Hudson. Jinx was younger. Whereas Jinx would never question Hudson’s sanity or loyalty, Rocky would likely demand Hudson’s bared soul. After spending the entire day with the pair, Hudson had never been more torn. He wasn’t confused about which one he preferred or wanted the most. Hudson wanted them both. The problem was he longed to be crushed between their equal yet opposite personalities, but Hudson hated the idea of destroying them. He didn’t think they realized how they looked at each other. There was so much unspoken love between them. Hudson was a leech. He would take all of that for himself, leaving them empty.

Another breeze stroked Hudson’s skin. Without thought, he grabbed the railing and pushed, heaving himself up onto one of the concrete pillars that separated the tempered glass panes of his balcony. The foot-wide square surface was barely enough space for Hudson to stand on. His legs shook as he straightened. The wind felt stronger from this vantage point. His pool seemed even farther down. If he fell, the water might cushion the blow and save him, but Hudson doubted it. Hudson stretched his arms out wide and tilted his chin to the sky. He would let the gods decide. They could use a gust of wind to take him away or he could fall backward. It would hurt, but he would live. Hudson closed his eyes, accepting either fate. His heart raced into his throat as the world suddenly shifted and he flew through the air before landing roughly over a solid shoulder. The blow to his midsection knocked the air from his lungs.

“What the actual fuck, Hudson? Have you lost your goddamn mind?” Tito stormed through the house, berating him every step. “I’m one person. Can you not act a damn fool for one fucking second so I can have a break?”

Guilt washed over Hudson. He was a terrible person.

Tito stamped down three flights of steps, making sure Hudson was jarred every step of the way. Hudson knew the move was purposeful since he had an elevator. “I’m done with it tonight. It’s been a long day. As far as I’m concerned, you need to be someone else’s problem so I can get some goddamn well-earned sleep.” Tito stormed outside.

“I’m sorry.”

Tito unlocked the SUV and opened the back door. He tossed Hudson inside. “Shut the fuck up.”

Hudson caught a glimpse of Tito’s enraged expression before he slammed the door closed in Hudson’s face. Hudson watched in horror as Tito stormed around the vehicle and climbed behind the wheel. A hint of panic set in. It was possible Tito had completely had enough. Maybe he would finally have