10. Chapter Ten
Chapter Ten
W arren didnt hit Connor. He was far too happy-go-lucky for anyone to hit him in anger. Even when he made fun of the whole situation. To be fair, hed only known about us a week before Warren found out. Hed caught me off guard, unable to come up with a response Id just blurted out we were dating. Hed been supportive, said hed have my back when the time came. Although that hadnt happened. I was fairly sure Hudson thanked him while no one was listening.
Now that it was out in the open, we didnt need to sneak around anymore. Though we still occasionally went to the state park for our hikes. Warren and Connor came along once but theyd complained so much I told them they werent invited again.
We were open about our status in school too. Nick Wilkinson and his cronies hadnt done anything to retaliate. The cops came around to see dad about the car fires, but nothing came of that either. For a very short period of time, Reinhart Snr went on a rampage about the MC, but Warren paid for the damages to the lawn as promised. Andrew hadnt said anything further about the incident, but it was clear how much he hated the MC.
Nick did eye us with distain when he saw Hudson holding my hand. That shocked the shit out of me too. I didnt think hed be big on PDAs but came to realize it wasnt so much about being affectionate in public, more letting people know who I belonged to. I wasnt mad about it. It also let all the girls know who he belonged to.
It hadnt gone down too well. There was some shit about it but I took care of it. Those girls thought theyd scare me into breaking up with him, with a few nasty comments about being a slut, hah! And breaking into my locker? They were idiots. They break into my locker, I break into theirs. And hide things in there that they shouldnt have, things Connor had acquired for me. Then I anonymously reported them.
A few suspensions later, they stopped bothering me, especially when I let them know things could get a lot worse. I hated threatening anyone, but I had no time for bully drama. Surprisingly, Cheryl Halstead was fully on my side and threatened social war against them.
When Warren and I turned eighteen at the end of April, dad threw us a party at the clubhouse. I was shocked Id been invited but it wasnt a normal clubhouse party.
The club girls were cleared out, the old ladies and their kids came, and the party started in the afternoon with a barbeque and went on into the evening. It was all very respectable, or as respectable as the brothers could be, there was still a lot of drunken antics. Not least from Connor.
We were only three weeks older than Hudson so classed it as a joint party. Dad hadnt said much about my relationship with Hudson, nothing to me, but Hudson said hed told him to be respectful or else.
At least he cared enough to make sure my boyfriend was looking after me. That had to mean something. King still remained standoffish. I let it go. Hudson and I spoke more about my dad when we were alone, and he convinced me dad was just made that way. He showed me he loved me in other ways, I just hadnt seen it until he pointed it out.
We celebrated Hudsons birthday with an overnight trip to Atlantic City. We got three rooms, to appease Warren but everyone knew Hudson snuck into my room. We still hadnt gone all the way. I was nervous and Hudson didnt push me. We still did plenty to keep each other satisfied. Hed finally let me go down on him. Hed praised me but I knew I was awful. But practice makes perfect. I was an old hat at it these days. Pretty soon we were going to go further. My fears were being quashed by my desire for him.
Prom would be here in a couple of months, and it might be a clich but that was when it would happen. I hated to admit I was a romantic at heart. Hudson promised wed go together. He didnt want me to miss my senior prom the way Id missed the junior one.
It was a Sunday night, and we were in his room at Ballistics place. Hed gotten comfortable living here. His dads house was completely renovated and now that he was eighteen, if he wanted to, he could move back in, but he chose to stay with Ballistic and Rosa. His dad was coming home soon, he wanted to see how it went and whether they could build a relationship before he went home.
Wed just got finished eating some Chinese food and now he was massaging my neck, which was tense from all the hunching over I was doing while studying. When he kissed my shoulder, I knew things were taking a turn. I tilted my head to let him get better access. His hands came up and cupped my breasts and he sighed.
What? I whispered.
I just
What? I turned to look at him. Was he tired of waiting?
He stroked my cheek looking anxious. He was starting to scare me a little. He must have realized and shook his head, laughing. Sorry, Im just, this isnt easy for me to say.
OhWhat isnt?
After a few seconds where I literally thought I might die, he spoke.
What you mean to me. How much
Yeah? I asked. I felt it too. It was obvious what he was about to say and I almost leaned up towards him but his phone rang.
He glanced at it. Ignore. He stopped and frowned.
Whats wrong?
Its Ballistic, he said. I figured it was unusual, he reached over and answered the call. Yeah.
I watched as his face blanched, sitting up straighter. He listened for a while before speaking.
Where is he?
Who the hell was he talking about? I started to get nervous it was dad, or Warren, or Connor. I grabbed his arm but he didnt look at me.
How bad? Okay. Yeah. Im on my way. He hung up and sat silently staring at the phone.
Hudson? I touched his arm and he jumped. What is it?
His face shuttered in a way I hadnt seen for a long time. Not since his mom died. Dad got out of rehab today. I thought it was next week, but they needed the room, so they let him go early. He went to a bar, got drunk and decided to drive home but on the way he hit a couple of pedestrians. Ironically right outside the fire department, he shook his head.
I covered my mouth with my hands. He said it like he was reading it off a screen. Like it wasnt his dad he was referring to.
Hes in the hospital. Banged himself up pretty good too.
I got up and grabbed our clothes. I passed his to him, but he was still staring at the phone. Hudson, I sat down beside him. He was clearly in shock. His dad got out of rehab and went straight to a bar. It had all been for nothing. His hopes were dashed with this one phone call.
He killed someone.
What? I asked stupidly. Had I misheard?
He raised his eyes to mine, they were dull and hard. One of the pedestrians. Shes dead. He killed her. The cops are at the hospital.
I didnt know what to say. Hudson laughed suddenly, making me even more worried for him. He got off the bed and went to the window. He stared out at the darkened sky in silence. I sat on the bed watching, not knowing what to do or say. I was too stunned myself. His dad killed someone?
My heart broke for Hudson as I watched him turn and get dressed. His face was completely stony, he didnt say anything as he waited for me to dress then we headed downstairs. He made sure I put on my helmet, checked to make sure it was tight enough. He usually trusted me to do that but I got why he was being cautious.
Once we got on the bike he hauled me up close to him and clasped my hands together on his stomach. He sat there for a few minutes, and I pressed the side of my head against him as best I could with a helmet on. If this was the best way to be there for him, Id do it. Whatever he needed.
He might not have got the chance to say he loved me, but I loved him. So much. Sometimes it hurt how much I loved him. I wished wed been able to say it before this. I wished that phone call never happened. I wanted to take all of the pain away. He was going to have to face this and I wasnt sure what I could do to help. He started the bike and headed for the hospital.
I wasnt surprised to see all the bikes outside. The club made it clear what they thought about Hudsons dad. This show wasnt for Leon. This was all for Hudson. I recognized dads bike. We got off and Hudson stowed the helmets and he reached for my hand.
A couple of dads guys were stood just inside the door, waiting for him. They silently led him to an elevator. His grip on my hand remained firm, if he needed strength from me then I would make sure I gave it. We came out on a floor that was milling with bikers. The general public were eyeing them all, off to one corner, as far as possible from where they were congregating.
Dad and Ballistic came over when they saw us. Dads eyes dipped to where he was clinging to my hand but gave nothing away. I glanced about and noticed a couple of State Troopers by the nurses station.
They were keeping an eye on everyone, but no one was doing anything they shouldnt be. I didnt see Warren or Connor and wondered if anyone called them. Im sure they had. Hudsons focus remained on Ballistic. I hadnt noticed before how close they had got. Well, as close as anyone could get to Ballistic. Although he had two kids of his own, so knew how to handle teenagers. But he wouldnt take Leons place. All he could do was be there for Hudson.
Hes awake.
Hudson nodded. I wasnt sure he knew what to do right now.
Do you want to see him?
It seemed an odd question, given Hudson had come straight here but the way Hudson paused surprised me. Ballistic seemed to know him better than I thought. After a while Hudson nodded.
He asked them to give him a minute and turned to me. He looked over my shoulder then took out his phone and sent a text. He waited a second then got a response. He showed it to me as he looked to the elevator. It was Connor, theyd just got here and were heading up. Hudson waited with me until him and Warren came in. Warren gave Hudson a hug, he still kept my hand in his though. Warren noticed and looked at me worriedly.
Connor patted his shoulder. Were here, whatever you need, he said solemnly.
Hudson nodded. He turned to me and pulled me towards him. I wrapped my arms around his waist and felt him inhale in and out, knowing he loved the peach scent of my shampoo. He gave me a squeeze then let go and followed Ballistic and dad past the cops, who watched them closely, one of them had his hand on the butt of the gun at his hip. Asshole.
What the fuck happened? Warren asked.
Ballistic said his dad got out of rehab early, I started. Then he went, got drunk, and drove, he hit a pedestrian. Two people, I corrected. One of them died, I added quietly.
Shit, Connor glanced around. He waved over one of the guys who got up and walked towards us. How bad is it? Connor asked him.
Cops are going to arrest him. Not sure if its vehicular manslaughter or something more serious. The womans family were up here earlier, it got nasty.
Thank God Hudson hadnt been here for that. My brother and Connor thought the same thing. Arrested. His dad was going to go to prison. Funny how that thought only just occurred to me. There was never going to be any relationship building for Hudson and his dad.
God knows how long he would go to prison for. Tears burned the backs of my eyes. Connor noticed and put an arm around me, pulling me into him. Eventually the three of us went and sat down.
Connor got us some vending machine coffee after a while, it was disgusting but just holding it gave me something to do with my hands. Hudson hadnt come back out but two men in suits arrived, spoke to the troopers and then went back to where Leon was.
Are those detectives? I asked, stupidly. I knew they were. I wasnt sure if they would allow Hudson to stay while they spoke to Leon. I was right, he came around the corner with Ballistic behind him. Dad hadnt come back and another guy in a suit came through, spoke briefly to them and then disappeared round the corner.
Club lawyer, Connor pointed out.
Hudson spoke to Ballistic a little longer, then his head lifted. He glanced around until he spotted the three of us, sitting away from everyone else. He came over and stood in front of us, both hands in the pockets of his jeans. He looked as if he had aged five years in the last hour.
How is he? I asked.
Sit down man, you look like youre going to fall down, Warren got up and shoved him towards a seat. Connor handed him the coffee hed been holding. He thanked them quietly.
Hes got a fractured pelvis and broken leg, he punctured his lung when a couple of his ribs cracked, and the wheel column pushed into him. Concussion too, he reeled off the injuries disinterestedly. Hell be okay. Eventually everything will heal, he looked at the cup in his hand as though surprised to see it there. He handed it to Connor, who took it and looked at me in concern.
Do you want to stay? I asked, shifting my seat closer. Well stay as long as you need us to.
He lifted his head and looked around at everyone still sitting in the waiting room. I just gotta wait for dad to speak to the cops and his lawyer, then Ill go back in. After that, there wont be much point hanging around.
None of us knew what to say to that. I reached over and took his hand. It was cold but he squeezed my fingers. Connor cracked a few jokes that had some of the other guys around us laughing, Hudson smiled once or twice but for the most part, he was quiet.
When the two detectives came back out of the room, he got to his feet, his fists clenched as he watched them pass by without acknowledging anyone. After a while, the lawyer came out. He shook hands with dad and left too. Dad came over, looking at the four of us before he indicated Hudson to follow him. I got to my feet too but Hudson turned to me and shook his head.
He leaned down and kissed me softly, leaning into me as he did. Ill be out in a little while, come home with me?
I nodded and let him go. We watched him go with King again. Warren put his arm around me and Connor squeezed my hand. Something about the whole thing seemed ominous. I didnt like the way I felt watching him walking away with my dad and Ballistic.
The others tried to get us to come back to our house once we left the hospital, but Hudson was pretty adamant he wanted to be alone with me. I was grateful for that because it eased some of the tension in my shoulders.
What did surprise me, was when he pulled up at his dads house and not Ballistic and Rosas. I almost questioned what we were doing here but decided not to as he helped me off the bike and we went up to the house. Id seen him leave his key behind when he moved out but he had one now. The door was different though, so I guessed Ballistic or whoever renovated the house had given him a copy.
The house looked completely different, inside and out. Theyd done an amazing job. The place belonged to Hudson now, I guessed. If his dad was charged and convicted, chances were he would not come back to this house any time soon.
We walked silently through the rooms, this was the first time he had seen it since it was done. We ended up at his room. He stared across the hallway to his parents bedroom. After a while I tugged on his hand and we went into his room. He huffed out a laugh as he looked around. The walls were white, the carpet beige, the twin bed was dressed in pale creams and aqua.
Guess they knew.
Who? I asked.
Whoever decorated, he waved his hand around, pulling a face at the large wall mirror with built in lights, perfect for doing make-up. They knew I wouldnt be coming back. Its like a show home. Someone will buy it in a heartbeat.
You dont want tokeep it?
He went to the window and looked outside. I went to stand beside him.
Wow, I said after looking out back. The whole yard had been redone, with brand new decking, a small purpose built shed, a low maintenance lawn and planted area. There was a bright yellow bench where Mrs. Kelleys fairy garden had been. Shit.
Hudson swept some hair from my face, and I turned to look at him.
Someone once told me that the good memories are here, he touched his chest. And I can take them with me.
That person sounds smart, I quipped, trying to lighten the mood. I didnt want him to be so sad. Things were only going to get tougher.
I guess I just wanted to see the place one last time. Im glad I did, cos I realize it hasnt been a home since I was nine.
I wrapped my arms around his waist. We stood there for a while, just hugging until he was ready to leave. We headed back to his new home and Rosa was there waiting for him. She gave him a big hug, then offered him a beer. Typical Rosa.
We sat up late with her watching horror movies that had her laughing and me burying my face in Hudsons chest. He chuckled and called me a wimp but held me tighter to him. It was really late when Warren sent a few texts asking where I was and how Hudson was doing. After I let him know what we were doing and that Hudson seemed okay, but he was putting a brave face on it, I sat up and looked around for my shoes.
Id come here on his bike, so he was going to have to give me a ride home, or Id call a cab. Hed kill me for suggesting it. Shit, bad choice of words, I needed to remember to be careful what I said around him.
Its been a shitter of a day, Rosa says, flicking off the TV. She looked us both over. I guess itll be fine for you to stay over.
We both looked at Rosa. In my room? he asked in surprise.
Youre eighteen. Shit, I dont want to know what goes on between the two of you, but just this once, Im okay with it. Dont go thanking me cos Ill change my mind. She got up and collected the empty beer bottles.
She left us alone in the room. Hudson raised his eyebrows at me. Once she was definitely out of earshot he leaned closer. You okay with that? We dont need to do anything. I mean, Im actually too scared to do anything, he grinned, nodding toward the stairs after Rosa. But itd benice if you stayed.
I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. Just a few short hours ago, I was sure he was going to tell me he loved me. He didnt need to now. Wanting me to be here with him, when he was going through probably the second worst moment of his life, said enough about how he felt. I got up and reached for his hand. We were halfway up the stairs when he muttered.
You can tell your brother.