Lucy
Hudson was clearly eager to put certain plans in motion, given the break-in and the unnecessary attention our relationship might bring, but I needed to at least wash my face before confronting whatever awaited me downstairs.
After I’d freshened up, I threw on my most comfortable pair of sweats and a hoodie—my soft version of armor. I had to admit, a small part of me wanted to let Hudson handle this while I buried my head in the sand.
But that wasn’t who I was. Despite how I’d lived for so long in DC, it never had been.
“I don’t want her to have to share anything about her past or her family until she’s ready.” The words drifted from the kitchen as I descended the stairway, Hudson’s concern palpable. “I’m a lot to take on—I don’t want this to be too much.”
And there it was—he was worried. My resolve strengthened even more. I’d prove to my man that I could meet whatever challenges we faced, as long as we faced them together.
“It’s not.” I stepped into the kitchen to find him seated at the table with his parents and brothers, all of whom looked up at me when I came into view.
I crossed the room, my focus solely on Hudson.
As I reached his side, his arm slid around my waist and I looked down at him.
“You’re not too much, honey. And even if you were, you’d be worth it.
Plus, I’m no cakewalk. I’ve got a nightmare ex and parents from hell who I guarantee will rear their ugly heads at some point.
We’ll just have to deal.” I gave a small shrug.
His gorgeous eyes shone with a tenderness almost too intimate for company. “Yeah, baby.” His arm tightened around my waist. “We most definitely will.”
Remembering we weren’t alone, I offered the room a sheepish smile. “Morning, everyone.” I gave an awkward wave.
“Hi, honey,” his mom greeted warmly. “I made coffee cake, and there’s coffee brewed.”
The concern must have been evident on my face because Riley burst out laughing. “Mom made the coffee,” he assured me.
“Thank God.” I exhaled in relief and headed toward the coffee pot.
“It can’t be that bad,” Hudson protested.
“Just keep singing, bro.” Riley chuckled, clearly enjoying himself.
I moved around the kitchen, preparing my coffee and grabbing a piece of delicious-looking coffee cake before joining them at the table. Sunlight streamed through the windows, highlighting the gorgeous property I hadn’t yet explored.
“My family invited themselves over.” Hudson shot them all an annoyed look. “After the break-in, they wanted to make sure you were okay.” His hand found my thigh under the table as I sat beside him.
“I promise we normally call.” His mother offered an apologetic smile, while Griffin snorted, indicating that might not always be the case.
“It’s good to get everyone on the same page, though.” Hudson’s gaze swept the table. “I already talked to my publicist, lawyer, and manager this morning.”
He must have been up since dawn to accomplish all that.
“You gonna make some sort of statement?” Griffin asked, dressed in his uniform and clearly on his way to work.
Hudson turned his gaze to me. “I’m hoping this is more about being proactive.
” He reached over to tuck my hair behind my ear, a gesture he did often, one I found incredibly sweet.
“I don’t think news about you and me has leaked.
I’d never want you to be a secret, and when I’m inevitably asked if I’m spoken for, the answer will be a resounding yes.
But I want to protect our privacy as much as possible.
I want you to have as much of a normal life as you can here at home.
As far as attending any events with me or putting you in the public eye, we can take that step by step.
So, for now, this is more about preparation than anything. Does that sound okay to you?”
“Makes sense.” This part of his world was still foreign to me, but I trusted him implicitly.
“Baby.” He hesitated, worry flickering in his eyes.
I covered his hand with mine and squeezed. “I get that your publicist will need to know some things about me as part of that preparation. I’m happy to share whatever’s helpful.”
He leaned into me, his forehead pressed to mine. “I want the world to know you’re my girl. But I want your safety more. So, we’ll just need to take this as it comes. I trust my team, which is why I want to get them on this.”
“And we’re here every step of the way,” his father added, his kind eyes resting on me.
While Bill and I didn’t know each other well, the love and care he had for his family was evident in every move he made.
“We may not be in the business, but whenever there have been big milestones in Hud’s career, we’ve navigated that as a family. We’re all here to support you two.”
“That’s so kind, thank you.” Emotion tightened my throat as I took in the depth of their bond, hoping that one day I could be part of that. “I know we’re still so new, but I understand that with Hudson’s fame, we need to be smart.”
“Regardless of fame, I don’t think Hud’s operating on a normal timeline with Lucy.” Riley chortled. “He went from recluse to shacking up overnight. But I figure he’s just been waiting for Rambo over here. So I’m here for it.” He shrugged.
Hudson shot him a look, and I smothered a smile.
“Where are we with the break-in?” Bill asked, clearly familiar with wading in when his boys got sidetracked
“Guy’s in the wind.” Griffin blew out a frustrated breath.
“We don’t have clear motive or even know if this is tied to Lucy or Hud.
” He turned to me. “I’d like to contact your parents and your ex.
Even if they won’t cop to anything, at least they’ll know they’re on the radar.
As for you, Hud, I’d put your security team on notice. ”
“Yeah, will do,” Hudson agreed.
“That’s all we got for now.” Griffin knocked the table once with his knuckles. “Gotta get to the station. Call if you need me.”
“I gotta jet too.” Riley rose to his feet and grabbed a giant piece of coffee cake. “I’ll be at the jobsite if anyone needs me.” He shoved the cake into his mouth as he turned toward the door.
“Have a good day.” Camila’s eyes warmed with affection for her sons as she waved them farewell. “So, what have you two got going on today?” she asked once only the four of us remained at the table, Ranger asleep at our feet.
Hudson looked at me with a deference I was still getting used to. “I was planning to spend some time at the restaurant office. I’m working my way through the books. And then I told Daphne I could watch Jo for a bit,” I replied.
“I’ll drop you at Goodie’s,” Hudson was quick to offer. “What do you think of bringing Jojo over here?” The use of Josephine’s nickname made my belly warm.
“I’m sure that would be fine, but I think Daph just needed to get to an appointment. I was planning to hang at her place. It’s easier for Jo to nap there.”
Hudson nodded. “I’ll come with if that’s okay.”
“Honey…” I glanced toward his parents, feeling only slightly awkward having this conversation in front of them. The ease I felt in their presence surprised me.
I didn’t mind spending time with Hudson, far from it, but I also didn’t want him uprooting his routine for me.
“I swear I won’t always be so overbearing.” He held up a hand in defense. “But the break-in just happened, and I’ve been gone. I just want to keep you close right now. That okay?”
“That’s okay.” I grinned. “As long as you help change dirty diapers.”
His mother laughed. “Sounds like you have a full day. We’ll get out of your hair, too.” She tapped her husband on the shoulder.
“Sorry, that was a lot.” Hudson glanced down at me as soon as we were alone.
“It’s fine, honey.” I squeezed his hand. “I really like your family. I just can’t believe I woke up alone.” I offered him a coy smile.
Before I could catch my breath, he swung me over his shoulder. “Let’s remedy that situation right now.” He smacked my behind as he strode for the stairs.
“Not sure Daph’ll want you under there.” I shifted Jo on my hip. Earlier, after helping with the baby, he’d taken it upon himself to repair Daphne’s sink. On her way out, she’d mentioned that it had been clogging.
“Pretty sure she wants her sink to drain, babe,” Hudson said from under the cabinet.
“Didn’t know you were so handy.” I shifted Josephine as she nuzzled my chest. “There’s no milk in there, JoJo.” I laughed, digging through the diaper bag for a pacifier.
Hudson sat up and shot me an incredulous look. “Baby, I was raised in a construction family. I can damn well fix nearly anything.”
I held up a placating hand, clearly having struck a nerve. My phone began to ring again from inside my purse.
His face grew hard. “That him?”
“I don’t know.” I glanced toward my bag. “Sometimes, I’m afraid to look.”
He stood abruptly, my admission seeming to be all the ammunition he needed. After digging through my purse, he pulled out my phone and pressed it to his ear.
“Yeah?” he barked in a tone he’d never used with me.
“This is her man.” He paused as he listened for a moment.
“Yeah, her man. The one who’ll put a restraining order on your ass if you keep calling.
” He scoffed at Josh’s response. “Her fiancé? Last time I checked, you two were never engaged. Only ring she’ll have on her finger is mine.
Get yourself gone, or you’ll find yourself in a world of trouble you do not need. ”
He ended the call and tossed my phone back into my purse. “Gotta change your number, baby,” he growled. “Tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow.” I nodded, assessing him warily.
As he always seemed to, he read my mood. Crossing the room, he leaned down and pressed a reassuring kiss to my lips as Jojo gurgled happily in my arms. “All good, baby. Just promise me you won’t answer any of his calls, yeah?”
That certainly wasn’t a hard promise to make. “I won’t.”
“And if you decide to give your parents your new number and they call, you wait for me to answer. I want to be there, baby. I don’t want you wading into that bullshit by yourself.”