While We Waited (Smuggler’s Hideaway #3)

Chapter 30

Sack – when Hudson gets tackled by an epiphany

Hudson

I park in front of Weston’s apartment building and press the button to call Nova.

“Miss me already?”

I do. The second I left the chalet, I missed her. I rub a hand over my chest where an ache has started. Nova is an addiction and I will happily remain addicted for the rest of my life. No rehab for me in my future.

“Just checking you’re okay.”

She sighs. “I know I can be a bit over the top with my worries about my health, but you left the house fifteen minutes ago. I’m fine.”

“You’re not over the top.”

“I am, but I appreciate your lie.”

“I didn’t lie,” I grumble.

“Okay, Mr. Cranksville. You didn’t lie.”

“You don’t believe me.”

“I believe you believe what you’re saying.”

I give up. Not for good. But for now. Pushing Nova about her fear of the people she loves dying won’t help a thing. She started seeing a therapist and she’s giving us a chance. I can’t ask any more of her.

“I’ll be home in an hour.”

She giggles.

“What’s funny?”

“You. Thinking you’ll be home in an hour.”

Weston asked me to help him move some furniture in his apartment. Apparently, he bought a new bedroom set. We’ll be done in fifteen minutes and I’ll be back on the road.

“I don’t understand.”

“You’ve been away from Smuggler’s Hideaway too long.”

I frown. I wasn’t away long enough. I was in the prime of my career when it got cut short by an asshole defensive lineman with an illegal tackle.

“Have fun!” Nova sings before ending the call.

I shove my phone in my pocket and get out of the truck. I climb the stairs to Weston’s apartment. His door flies open before I reach it. He grins and throws his arms wide open. “Welcome!”

I grunt. I don’t want to be here. I want to be with Nova.

He chuckles as he slaps me on the shoulder and ushers me inside his apartment. I frown when I notice Lucas and Flynn are also here.

“What’s going on?”

We don’t need four people to move a bit of furniture. If I had known Weston asked Lucas and Flynn to help, I would have said no.

Weston hands me a shot of whiskey. I glare at him. I’m not drinking. I need to be able to drive home. I can’t spend a night away from Nova. She’s already feeling insecure enough since I haven’t told her I love her back.

“I told you this was a bad idea,” Flynn says.

What is going on? I study the men before me. Sophia’s boyfriend, Flynn. Chloe’s husband, Lucas. And Weston. Then, it hits me.

“Is this when you give me the warning to treat Nova right?”

Flynn grins. “You’re more than a jock without any brains in his head.”

I scowl at him. “Being an athlete doesn’t make me stupid.”

And I am an athlete. I don’t play pro ball anymore, but I will always be an athlete. It’s who I am. Who I’ve always been. Who I always will be.

“No, but messing around with Nova would make you extremely stupid,” Weston grumbles.

“Nearly as stupid as the time you decided to triple your protein powder intake in one day and ended up unable to play football because you were too busy racing to the toilet every five minutes,” Flynn adds.

I scowl at him. “I hit my growth spurt late.”

“You were a freshman and wanted a varsity spot on the high school football team.”

Hell, yeah, I did. From the first time I stepped onto a football field, I knew playing the game was my destiny. It’s everything I worked for. Everything I wanted. The only thing I care about.

“The wide receiver was crap. I should have had the varsity spot.”

“Coach gave you the spot,” Flynn says.

“Until you decided to overdose on protein powder,” Weston adds.

Lucas chuckles and I growl at him. He holds up his hands. “Sorry, man, but growing up in Smuggler’s Hideaway sounds fun.”

“It was fun.” Weston nudges him. “Natalia is going to love growing up here.”

Lucas threads a hand through his hair. “As soon as we get the bully situation dealt with.”

Weston frowns. “Natalia is still having problems with Shelia? I thought Chloe dealt with it.”

Lucas smiles and the love for his wife is clear to see on his face. “Chloe dealt with the school administration all right. My wife is a force of nature.”

“Sophia is too.” Flynn narrows his eyes on me. “As is Nova.”

“I know she is.”

Nova is all smiles and sunshine but she doesn’t let anyone push her around. She’s amazing.

“Ah.” Lucas points to me. “He’s in love.”

Weston feigns gagging. “Is there something in the water on Smuggler’s Hideaway? All my friends are falling in love and pairing up. I guess I better stick to whiskey.” He lifts his shot glass. “Cheers.”

Flynn and Lucas join him but I set my glass down on the nearest surface. I’m not drinking. I need to be able to drive. Nova is nearly in her third trimester and prone to anxiety about the baby’s health. If she wants to go to the hospital, I’m taking her.

“You’ve given me your warning about treating Nova properly. If there’s no furniture to move, I’m out of here.”

Weston blocks me before I can make my exit.

“We’re not finished yet. I need to make sure your intentions regarding Nova are proper. I’m Nova’s honorary big brother.”

“As am I,” Flynn adds.

Weston wags a finger at him. “No, you’re not. She crowned me her honorary big brother when she was ten and I saved her stuffed bunny from the toilet.”

“Not to get in between you two, but can’t Nova have more than one honorary big brother?” Lucas asks.

I’m done with this shit. I don’t have time to waste listening to Flynn and Weston argue about who Nova’s honorary big brother is.

“I’m out of here.”

“What’s your hurry?” Weston asks.

“I need to get home to Nova.”

“I heard she’s living with you and not moving out when the baby is born,” Lucas says.

I cross my arms over my chest. I hate riddles. “If you want to know something, ask me.”

“Are you going to kick her out after the baby’s born?” Weston asks.

I glare at him. “I would never kick Nova out of her own home.”

“Her own home?” He smirks. “She is living with you.”

She is. We’re at the chalet for now. But she still has her house. I need to speak to her about it. I know she loves the chalet but does she prefer to live at her house? It’s the house she grew up in with her parents. She’s emotionally attached to it.

But I want to stay in the chalet. It’s close to my work. I can be home within minutes to handle any issues that arise with the baby. And the resort has childcare. Plus, we have enough room for a nanny should Nova want one. If she wants to stay home with the baby, that’s fine, too.

We still have a lot to figure out. And we will figure it out. Nova loves me. She’s in this for the long haul. As am I.

“I don’t give a shit where they live,” Flynn says. “I want to know if he’s going to treat Nova right.”

I growl at him. “I will always treat Nova right. She will want for nothing.”

Flynn grins. “He has my stamp of approval. He obviously loves Nova.”

My brow wrinkles. I obviously love Nova? I admit I’m falling in love with my sunshine. How can I not? She makes everything light and bright.

But love her? I’m not there yet. Love needs years to build.

Weston sighs. “He’s a goner for her. I’m going to be the only single man on the island.”

Lucas slaps me on the shoulder. “There’s no sense fighting it. The women of Smuggler’s Hideaway are irresistible.”

I don’t care about the women of Smuggler’s Hideaway. I only care about one woman. Nova.

I don’t see any other women. I—

Shit. I do love Nova.

I don’t know why I’ve been fighting it. Love doesn’t work with schedules. Love happens. Whether you want it to or not. Whether you’re a has-been or not. Whether you ruin good things or not.

Nova is my one good thing I’m not going to ruin. I’m keeping her. And our baby. Forever.