Chapter 14 Adrian
ADRIAN
“Ithink I might actually want them to stay this time,” Hudson comments from his spot on the other corner of the couch.
I’m trying to get some work done while we watch one of our favorite shows where the couple has the option to renovate their home or move.
We both usually vote they should move because you can’t magically create more square footage no matter how creative you get with built-ins.
“Yeah, I like their backyard,” I agree, even though I’ve been pretty distracted during this episode.
Beck has been in Montana all week, again, so I’m trying to send him a summary of what he’s missed and a reminder for the short list of things I need him to sign off on or do himself in the next couple of days.
“Holy shit, look at this listing my agent just sent!” Hudson texts me the link, and my laptop and phone both ding with his message. I’m about done with the email I was working on, so I skim it again to make sure I didn’t forget anything and send it before I follow the link.
Wait. I know this house. It isn’t far from here, and I admire it every time I walk past. It’s wildly out of my price range, but it’s one of those picturesque dream homes that I can’t help but imagine myself in whenever I see it.
It’s a gorgeous multi-level standalone with four bedrooms, five bathrooms, and it even has a fenced-in yard.
I’ve never seen the inside before now, and it needs some updating to get the house to its full potential, but the bones are really good.
“I love this house, and the price seems way better than I would have expected for the space too. Well, for your budget at least—I could never. But with some quick upgrades, it would be a total dream home.”
“And it’s just down the block. We’d still be neighbors,” he points out, sounding excited.
I’m trying desperately to not get my hopes up about that though.
Even if we are that close, a few houses away is different than being in the next room.
Our friendship right now is one of proximity; I’m sure things will change when we’re no longer living together and my presence in his life is no longer required.
“Are you going to schedule a tour?” I ask, and wow, I sound so casual. Not at all like I’m desperate for him to get this house that’s so close. Good for me.
“Yeah, this is for sure the best one he’s sent me. When are you free?”
I blink a few times before I turn to give him my full attention. “You want me to come for the tour?” That seems like another possible overstepping moment. Something I would do with a partner.
“Obviously. I need your expertise. As much as I would like to claim I’ve learned a lot from watching all these shows with you, I know you’ll be so much better at picturing what things could look like than I would.”
Okay, when he explains it like that, it makes sense for me to come.
It doesn’t sound romantic; he just trusts my design opinion.
“Well, if you really want me to, I’ll make sure I’m free.
” And I’m only agreeing because I want to help my friend.
I will remain impartial when we tour this house.
The fact that he could be my neighbor if he did end up getting it isn’t going to be a priority to him the same way it would be for me.
I need to respect that and allow him to make his own decision.
“The loft could be a really cool playroom. Depending on the ages of the kids, it’s big enough to even install a rockwall or a ninja course, something for more active play if they’re a little older,” I suggest as we finish exploring the upper levels and head back downstairs.
Hudson’s real estate agent managed to get us in to see the house the next day, fitting it into his busy schedule between his morning practice and his home game tonight.
We’re almost done with the tour, and I love the house even more in person, but I’ve been trying not to sway his decision, only providing suggestions like he asked for.
And yes, I have been looking into specific design options for children, as any decent friend would in this situation.
So what if I’ve spent hours researching different parenting methods and now know all about the different schools in the area?
That’s just useful knowledge. It has nothing to do with my crush on Hudson.
I definitely haven’t been picturing what it would be like to live here, in my dream home, with him, helping to raise his children.
But I am picturing that exact life with some other, faceless man that vaguely looks like him who I haven’t met yet.
A man who’s obsessed with me, because even though I can’t help feeling the way I do about Hudson, I know he’ll never think about me that way, and I try to remind myself that’s what I deserve.
“So, have you thought about whether you’ll want to try to adopt an infant or an older kid?”
“I think for my first kid, I’d really love to adopt a baby.
That’s what I’ve always pictured when I think about being a dad.
But since that informational meeting the adoption agency had, I’ve been thinking more and more about the idea of eventually taking in older kids too.
Maybe in a few years when I’m more confident as a parent, or if I’m married. ”
I can’t help but smile at his answer. Hudson is going to be the best dad, the kind I wish I’d had growing up. “Whatever kids you end up helping will be really lucky to have you in their life.”
“Alright, guys,” his agent cuts in. “I’ll step out on the back deck, give you some privacy to walk through on your own and really imagine what it would be like for you two to live here.”
He leaves, and I turn to glare at Hudson. “Why do you keep letting him say things like that without correcting him?”
“Like what?” he asks, obviously distracted as he turns in the center of the kitchen, looking at different aspects of the room.
“Like we’re a couple who will be living here together!”
“Oh. Who cares what he thinks?”
Is he joking? “Hudson, he could tell the media he sold you a house to move in with a man and adopt a bunch of kids. You just said something about being married—oh my god! Did he think you were talking about marrying me? You need to go correct him. He could be out there telling someone right now! That was the whole reason you even moved in with me—to avoid scandal. Did we just make an even bigger one?”
Fuck, how did I manage to screw things up so royally? Is this it? Is this the end of our friendship? I knew it had an expiration date, but I’m not ready.
Hudson doesn’t seem to share my concern, smiling and chuckling to himself as he approaches me. He puts a hand on my shoulder. “Deep breaths, Charming. Everything is fine.”
I lightly swat his perfectly sculpted chest, relieved by his touch, but still not as relaxed as he is. “Why aren’t you freaking out? He obviously thinks we’re together.”
He just shrugs. “I’ve known Jason for years, and I trust him. And he’ll make a lot of money selling me this house. He doesn’t need to run to the media.”
“You’re not even a little concerned that he thinks you’re with a man?”
“Nah, half the team has been giving me shit about living with you and asking when I’m going to come out and announce we’re dating.”
“They’ve been doing what?” I slap his chest harder, but he just laughs, not even pretending to be affected as he stands solidly in place. What the actual fuck? How is he not freaking out about that? “How have you not told me? Do you need me to say anything?”
“Well, maybe not half the team. It’s mostly Bell, but Anderson and Martin joined in when they overheard him last week.”
“Hudson! They need to be careful who they joke around in front of. God, not only would that be a pain in the ass to deal with at the end of your career when it’s not even true, but Beck has been dying to have the first openly out player on our team.
I’d never hear the end of it if I was the cause of rumors that got his hopes up. ”
Hudson finally drops his arm from my shoulder as he makes a humming sound, looking intrigued by my comment. I almost ask if he knows something I don’t about any of the other players, but that is so not my place to question if he does, so I try to focus and get back to why we’re really here.
“Okay, fine, if you’re not worried, I will try to follow your lead.” Even if I’m still internally freaking out about those comments. And only partially because I wish they were true. “So, what do you think of this place?” I ask.
“It’s even better in person.” His smile is as big as I’ve ever seen it.
“Hopefully they don’t have any hidden nanny cams in here because you weren't exactly subtle during the tour. If they heard a word of what you said about how much you loved it, any hope of negotiating is completely gone,” I tease.
Touring the place less than twenty-four hours after they posted the listing also probably isn’t helping him come across as a casually interested buyer either.
I’m sure he can afford the asking price, but still.
“I definitely think you could make it into a great home.” I nod as I wander the kitchen and dining area, looking around and confirming that the only thing with color in here right now is a decorative bowl full of apples. “Does it bother you that everything is pretty much white right now though?”
“Well, we’d want to change that, but I’m not in a rush to move out if you’re not. Everything online says that the adoption process can take a really long time, so I think as long as I own a house, I’d be good to start applying, right?”
Did he say we? He is killing me with how much he’s making it sound like I’d be living here too, so I take a deep breath and try to unpack everything he managed to fit in that comment.
“First, I’ve already said you can stay with me as long as you’d like.
That hasn’t changed.” Look at me sounding so casual even though I’m thrilled at the idea of him staying with me for months of renovations.