Beautiful Collide (Saints Of Redville #3)

Chapter 68

68

Hudson

Now, what do we do?

I wish I had answers to how this happened, but I don’t. This leads me to pacing the room and staring at Molly.

She sits on my couch with her legs crossed and her arms folded.

Neither of us has spoken since we arrived, and I’m starting to worry we won’t.

Which doesn’t bode well for solving this.

Narrowing my eyes, I take her in. Her jaw is set, and her brows furrowed.

This I can work with.

She’s pissed, but this is different. This is stubborn determination.

A look I have come to know all so well.

Yep, I can decipher the many looks of Molly Sinclair.

I’ve been watching her long enough, after all.

Stalker much.

I’m used to this version of Molly. She’s planning, and when she’s like this, she’s unstoppable.

My lips part into a grin.

She’s really something else.

Can’t wait to see what she comes up with when she establishes a plan she thinks I should follow.

I watch her for a beat. She’s in the zone.

I can practically see the wheels in her head turning as she tries to devise a plan.

“If you keep thinking that hard, you might hurt yourself.”

She rolls her eyes. “Well, one of us has to.”

I laugh. “Not nice, Hex.”

But she’s right. We do need to think of something.

“It’s not,” she admits, her gaze drifting to the family photos on the wall. “What are they going to say about this?”

“Maybe they won’t find out.” Yeah, okay. And maybe I’ll retire from hockey and join the cast of Stars On Ice .

I stride across the room and toward the couch. Once there, I plop down on it.

“Seriously, Hudson,” she deadpans.

“No.” I stretch out, making myself comfortable. We have a lot to discuss, and who knows how long it will take.

“Shit.” She sighs before going quiet. I want to agree with her, but I need to stay strong and pretend this will all work out.

It doesn’t help anyone for us both to be confused.

“All right, Hex.” I break the silence. “Let’s talk about this mess.”

She stiffens, her arms tightening around herself. “Where do we even start?”

“Well . . .” I lean forward, resting my elbows on my knees. How do I say this? If I blurt it out, she might get upset. Oh, who am I kidding? She will get upset no matter how I say this. There is no world where she doesn’t. “First off, you should know something.”

She looks at me, her eyes wary, like she’s bracing for bad news.

“We can’t get an annulment.”

“What?” She sits up so fast from where she was reclined, I’m afraid she might have pulled a muscle.

“This whole marriage thing?” I say, keeping my voice steady. “It’s good for me.”

Her brow furrows, and I can see the confusion and disbelief in her expression. “What?”

“Image-wise,” I clarify. “It’s good for my reputation. You know what people think of me. The playboy, the party guy, the guy who can’t keep his name out of the tabloids. But now? Now I’m a family man. Married to a teammate’s sister. It’s like the ultimate PR makeover.”

Her mouth falls open slightly, and I can tell she’s trying to figure out if I’m serious.

“Are you saying we should stay married for your reputation?” she asks, her voice sharp.

“Not exactly,” I say, holding up my hands. “I’m saying it’s worth considering not doing it right away. I just got my first endorsement offer that wasn’t from a condom company. Seven figures, Molly. That’s not nothing. And it’s not just about the money—it’s about showing people I’m not who they think I am.”

“Let me get this straight.” Her jaw tightens, and she shakes her head. “You want me to be your PR stunt?”

“That’s not what I mean.” Shit, that did come out wrong. “Look, this could work for both of us. It will be temporary, but we can figure it out. You’re already stuck with me, so—”

“Seriously, Hudson,” she snaps. “You get an endorsement deal, and what about me? What do I get out of this deal?”

I sound like a real asshole when she puts it that way.

My mind short-circuits.

Think.

Think of something to say that won’t make her storm out the door.

I open my mouth and then shut it.

Nope.

Nothing.

There’s no fixing this.

I really put my foot in my mouth this time.

I’m about to say anything—hell, I’ll beg for her forgiveness—when her phone buzzes on the coffee table.

She picks it up, glances at the screen, and freezes. “It’s your mom.”

“What?” I sit straight up. “Why is she calling you?”

“I don’t know,” she says, staring at the phone like it’s a ticking time bomb. Finally, she presses the speaker button.

“Molly, sweetheart.” My mom’s voice fills the room, bright and cheerful. Her normal, happy self. I don’t even have to hear what she says to know this won’t go well. “Oh, I’m so glad you picked up.”

“Hi, Mrs. Wilde.” Molly glances at me like she’s hoping I’ll save her.

“Call me Mary.” My mom laughs. “We’re family now, after all.”

Shit.

She knows, and by the look on Molly’s face, she’s come to the same realization as I have.

I groan, dragging a hand down my face. Of course, she knows.

It’s all over the news.

Plus, if that isn’t bad enough, Anna practically stalks me. She even has a damn Google alert that tells her whenever someone posts about me.

“Anna saw something online,” my mom continues, oblivious to my growing mortification. “When she told me, I thought she was joking, but then I was like . . . well, that makes sense. I’m not blind.”

“What do you mean?” Molly croaks.

“I could see the way Hudson looked at you that night at dinner. It was obvious something was going on. It makes sense. You’re perfect for him, after all.”

I look over at Molly, who is currently mouthing the word, “Perfect.” Her eyes are wide, and she looks very confused, but she shakes her head after a second.

Molly bites back a laugh. “Thank you.”

“Oh, honey, I’m so happy for you both.” Jeez, my mom is gushing. I need to put an end to this, or she’s liable to say something really embarrassing.

“Hi, Mom,” I cut in, making my presence known and hoping that’s enough to stop her.

“Hudson, what am I going to do with you?”

“You’re going to have to be more specific, Mom.”

“You keeping this a secret. Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Uh . . . surprise?” I scratch the back of my neck. God, I sound awkward. Not what I want Molly to see, but whenever my mom is around, I revert to a momma’s boy.

She laughs. “Well, you’ll have to come visit soon. I want to hear all about the wedding. And, Molly, I need to know everything—how did he propose? Was it romantic? Did he cry?”

Molly laughs nervously, and I groan again. “Mom, please.”

This woman is going to be the death of me.

“Oh, hush, now,” she says. “Molly, dear. Welcome to the family. We’re so lucky to have you.”

Lucky to have her.

My throat tightens, and I glance at Molly, who’s staring down at her lap, her expression unreadable.

“Thank you,” she whispers, and I wonder if my mom even heard her.

“Well, I’ll let you two go. I’m sure you’re both very busy.” My mom giggles.

Great, my mom has her head in the gutter.

Knowing her, she will probably start wondering when we will give her grandbabies. “But don’t be strangers. And, Hudson, don’t mess this up. Molly’s a keeper.”

The call ends, and the silence in the room feels heavier than before.

Molly sets the phone down slowly, her hands trembling slightly. “I can’t do it,” she says suddenly, her voice shaking.

“Can’t do what?” I ask, frowning.

“I can’t divorce you,” she says, meeting my eyes. “Not after that. Not after hearing how happy your mom is. At least not yet. I don’t want her to know the truth. We can just keep this up a little longer, and then we can—”

“Molly . . .”

“Hudson. You don’t understand. She welcomed me into her family like I’ve always been part of it.” Her voice breaks. “She’s so excited, Hudson. I can’t take that away from her. It won’t be forever, but long enough for you to get your deal and for your mom not to hate me.”

My chest tightens, and I stare at her, unable to speak.

She doesn’t have to do this.

She doesn’t owe me—or my mom—anything. But the fact that she cares enough to stay, even if it’s only for a short time, hits me harder than I expected.

“You don’t have to do this for her,” I say quietly.

“I know.” Her voice is steadier now. “But I want to. Your family . . . they’re incredible. They care about you so much. And if I can help make this whole thing easier, I will.”

I swallow hard, my throat burning. “Why are you like this?” My voice sounds rough, and I wonder if she can hear how moved I am by her words.

“Like what?” She frowns.

“Caring,” I say. “About my family. About me.”

She laughs softly, shaking her head. “Because someone has to.”

The words hit me like a punch to the gut, and all I can do is stare at her.

“Molly,” I say, leaning closer. “You know this changes everything, right?”

She nods, her eyes meeting mine. “Yeah. I know.”

Fuck. I’m in way over my head. Because when the time comes, I’m not sure I’ll be able to let her go.