Love, Tussles, and Takedowns (Cactus Creek #3)(25)

A hollered-out order number from the food truck vendor had Lia hopping up quickly, beating Hudson to it. “You two catch up. I’ll go get the food and get some extra bowls and utensils for your cousin.”

When Lia was out of earshot, Hudson turned his attention back to Ben. “If this is about the inheritance, you’re wasting your time. How’d you even know where we were filming? And how’d you get on set?” He was genuinely curious. Seemed a little extreme for his cousin.

“I got in contact with your former commanding officer, who told me where you’re working now. Your boss then got me guest clearance to go on site because, and I quote, ‘He knows what a stubborn ass you are’. Unquote.”

Yeah, that sounded about right.

“That’s when this whirlwind of red hair and over-caffeinated bubbliness came over to find out why I was asking about you. After she got a good look at me, and then proceeded to recall at least three pranks that she’d been involved in helping you pull on me, she told me that you were going to be at a gym in Cactus Creek tonight. From there, I practically didn’t have to ask any questions. The folks here make your friend Fiona seem-laid back on the nosiness scale.”

Lia returned just as Ben confirmed Hudson’s suspicions. “And yes, we need to talk about the inheritance. It’s been six months. Great-Grandfather’s will stipulates that you and I work together to divide up his estate within one year of his death.”

Pivoting quickly after dropping off the food, Lia went off to go get them drinks…from a different food truck on the other side of the pavilion. Criminy, she was cute.

He caught the tail end of some legal details Ben was explaining with a tired sigh. The mere thought of being back at that old mansion again gave him the willies. He’d only gone there once but it would no doubt remind him of all the weekends his parents used to force him to attend society functions when he was younger. It was no wonder he hated wearing suits and gelling his hair. From the year he was able to walk until the age of seven, it seemed all his free time was spent with his hair gelled back and his little suits pressed and buttoned up to his ears.

“Like I keep saying, man, for whatever reason, my father hates your great-granddad. And while he and I don’t see eye to eye on things, if my father is uncomfortable with the man, I’m not going to shove his nose into this whole inheritance thing. So thanks, but no thanks. I trust you. Just divide the estate up however you want and donate my half to charity. I’ll email you a few I donate to regularly, along with some I’ve been wanting to help out.”

“But the will—”

“I’ll hire a lawyer to attend as my proxy if needed but it would save me a lot of money if you could just take care of it and send me the papers to sign.”

“If you took even a fraction of what great-grandfather left you, you wouldn’t have to scrimp and save for a good part of your adult life.”

Hudson shrugged. “I like working for my money. And like I said, while ‘great-grandfather’ may have been great to you and your dad, he was apparently pretty awful to mine. I’m not taking money built off the grave of a broken relationship that was apparently unfixable. Please offer my condolences to your family, and respect my wishes on this. We don’t have to make this into a big joint-family thing.”

“This is a joint-family thing.”

Hudson was surprised at how deflated Ben looked at the moment.

“Ben, what’s the big deal? Your dad and my dad are the sons of estranged half-brothers. I know stray puppies with stronger blood ties than what we have. It was nice to be included in something from that side of the family for once but you’re not going to change my mind on this.”

“I thought this would finally be a way for us to reconnect,” admitted Ben, quietly.

Hudson did a double take. “Are you serious? That’s why you’ve been hounding me all these months?”

“Well…yeah.”

Hudson couldn’t help but grin over that just-barely-a-slang-word that managed to slip through.

“Dude, you’ve been going about this all wrong. All you had to do was call me up and ask to go catch a game—not golf—or get some beers—not cognac. Did you really think starting off every voicemail with a line about how much money the relative my dad hates left me was the best way for us to reconnect?” He tsked. “What are they teaching you in those Ivy League schools?”

The crack in Ben’s composure widened even more as he frowned in embarrassment. “I guess that was rather presumptuous of me to think money would be the only way to convince you.”

“Hell, I’m a cheap date. I’d take two ten-buck pitchers of beer and some bottomless peanuts over several million dollars of antiques any day.”

Lia approached the table again at a snail’s pace. “Is it okay for me to sit now?”

“Sure,” said Hudson. “Ben and I were done catching up.”

Ben tilted his head at the not-so-subtle suggestion that he leave, and Hudson was positive he didn’t like that new little gleam in his eyes.

“Actually, I can stay for few bites,” replied Ben with a grin. “These noodles look delicious.”

Of all the days for the man to finally grow a pair.

Hudson grunted and proceeded to sit through what was no longer a nice date, thanks to his annoying cousin and his elephant-like memory.