Chapter Thirty-Four Hudson
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
Hudson
Ash and Luke’s place is packed tonight, a swarm of familiar faces and the occasional flash of new ones. Spring term is officially underway, and we’re celebrating the fresh start with a party.
Ella’s joined me in my sober efforts this term, both of us determined to stay focused on cheer, at least until after Daytona. Still, it doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy a party thrown by our friends.
I spot her across the room, that infectious smile lighting up her whole face.
She’s laughing with Gabi and Sammy, and there’s something about the way she holds herself, so comfortable, so effortless, that draws me in every time.
When our eyes catch, she gives me a playful wink before excusing herself from the conversation.
“Hey, you,” she says, sliding her arms around my neck as she reaches me. She smells as good as she always does. Feels as right in my arms as ever.
“Hey yourself,” I reply, pulling her close. The room fades into the background as I focus on her. “Having fun?”
“Definitely,” she says, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “But I could use a dance partner.”
“Lucky for you, I’m available,” I say, leading her to the center of the living room. The music shifts to a faster beat, and we move together. Ella’s laughter echoes in my ears as we fall into each other, her hips swaying, one arm draped over my shoulder.
She spins around, facing away from me now. Her dark hair cascades around her like silk—shiny, perfect, and half-tied together in a neat little bow. I pull her against me, my hands finding her hips. A perfect fit for my perfect girl.
“This was more fun when we were two-stepping in Redwater Springs.”
“We’re in Nashville, darlin’,” I murmur into her ear. “If dancing’s what you want, we can easily make that happen.”
“Tempting, but I think I’ll stay here for now,” she says, pressing back against me, her ass nestling against my thighs—a deliberate tease. I chuckle, spinning her around to face me.
“Just as well,” I say, lifting one of her hands to twirl her. “Less chance of you stepping on my toes here.”
“I thought you said I was a natural.”
“You are,” I assure her, swiping my thumb along her bottom lip. “But you and I both know practice makes perfect.”
“Yeah, yeah.” She waves me off. “And you can’t compete where you don’t compare.”
I draw her close again, tilt her chin up. “That’s my girl.”
She rolls her eyes, but I pull her in for a kiss anyway.
A very public kiss. We’ve broken all the rules by now, and it feels damn good.
We like each other, and we’re both allowing ourselves to let go for once.
To feel our feelings, to act on our impulses, without the pressure of making sure things work out perfectly.
Her lips are soft, warm, and they taste faintly of the vanilla lip balm she always uses. I deepen the kiss, and she melts into me, completely forgetting that we’re surrounded by people. When we finally pull apart, her cheeks are flushed.
“You know,” she says softly, her fingers toying with the hem of my shirt. “PDA has never really been my thing.”
“Yeah, well, you’ve never been with me before,” I say with a grin, lightly bumping my forehead against hers.
“Ego,” she murmurs.
“Confidence,” I counter. “You know, I think this no-alcohol pact was a great idea.”
She chuckles softly. “You just like having a clear head when you kiss me.”
“Can you blame me?” I ask, brushing a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “I don’t want to miss a single second of this.”
Her smile is radiant, and she stands on her tiptoes to press another quick kiss to my lips. “Come on,” she says, taking my hand. “Let’s get some air.”
We weave our way through the crowd and step out onto the back porch. The yard is filled with groups of people, but the noise level is much lower out here. And the stars are out in full force, twinkling against the inky black sky.
Ella leans against the wooden railing, her eyes scanning the distant skyline. “Beautiful night,” she murmurs, and I can’t help but agree. But it’s not just the night. It’s being here with her.
“Yeah,” I say, sidling up behind her. “Perfect.”
“You know what I miss most about England?”
I rest my chin on the top of her head, wrap my arms around her. “What’s that?”
“It might sound odd, but the rain, mostly. That constant drizzle. And the smell of wet earth after it stops. It’s weird how little it rains here.”
I hum in agreement, pressing a kiss to her temple. “Funny how you miss what you’re used to. I can’t say I’d miss the rain much, but I get it.”
“I suppose it’s still … home for me,” she says wistfully, her voice a quiet hush. “Everything about it, good and bad. Even the dreary days.”
“Sounds like a place I need to visit to understand,” I offer, tightening my hold on her. “After you’re back, maybe I’ll find my way there. You could show me all your favorite spots, introduce me to some proper English tea.”
She laughs softly and turns around in my arms, her eyes sparkling with an emotion I can’t quite place. “All that way just for tea?”
“Well, it’s a bonus,” I say. “I’ve always wanted to travel.”
“If you’re accepted into Oxford’s Classics program, then all your dreams will come true.”
“Who says I’ll go there if I get in? I might have my pick of the litter.”
She snorts. “Probably. Though isn’t Oxford the perfect spot for an overachiever like you?”
I chuckle, a little embarrassed. “Yeah, maybe. But it depends on funding, really. Some of the schools I applied to are a bit lower cost. They’ll have different opportunities for grants and fellowships. Plus, I have to factor in the cost of living.”
I know that Ella doesn’t face the same financial constraints as I do, but she seems understanding enough. Her hand finds mine, and she squeezes it softly.
“Whatever happens, you’ll make the right choice,” she says with a certainty that makes my heart swell. “But if you do end up at Oxford, just know I won’t be mad about it.”
“Ah, but that would ruin my plans to avoid you.”
She swivels around in my arms to give me a death stare. “Strong women,” she says with a shake of her head. “They intimidate boys and excite men.”
I laugh, picturing us there together, wandering through narrow, bustling streets and sipping on coffees in quaint little cafés. Studying in dark libraries. Boating on the River Cherwell. Bickering with her between classes. Kissing her pretty much everywhere I can.
I trace a finger along her collarbone. “You excite me,” I say, “very much.”
Her face lights up, but loud, cutting laughter has us both turning our heads to find the source. There, in the middle of the yard, stands a rowdy group of boys I recognize as baseball players. There are five of them surrounding a woman who appears to be quite drunk.
Her blonde curls are disheveled, tumbling wildly around her face. She’s being held up by one of the boys, her heels barely touching the ground. Her laughter is wild, free, but there’s something off about it.
Ella stiffens in my arms, and I look down to find her eyes narrowing. “It’s Claire,” she murmurs, her voice tight with concern. “And she’s obviously had way too much to drink.”
I follow her gaze back to the group and, sure enough, Claire is in the center of the group, her curly hair a wild halo around her head as she sways unsteadily. The boys don’t seem to be helping; they’re egging her on, encouraging more drinks rather than temperance.
Ella pulls away from me, squaring her shoulders as she starts toward them. I know better than to stop her when she’s like this—determined and protective. I follow a step behind, ready to step in if needed.
“Claire!” Ella’s voice cuts through the laughter like a knife. The boys turn, their faces falling from amusement to confusion and then annoyance.
“We’re just having some fun,” one of them says, his tone defensive.
“She doesn’t look like she’s having fun,” Ella retorts, stepping closer to her captain. “Claire, are you okay?”
Claire’s head lolls to the side, her eyes struggling to focus before recognition fills them. “Oh … it’s you,” she slurs, attempting to free herself from the boy’s grasp but only managing a weak stumble.
Ella’s hands are quick to steady her, slipping under Claire’s arms to support her weight. “Let’s get you out of here,” she says softly.
“Hey! We were just keeping her company,” one of them protests. His eyes dart between us, clearly irritated at the interruption.
“Yeah? Well, she’s had enough company for one night,” I say, stepping in beside Ella. There’s a purposeful edge to my voice, one that carries a heavy note of warning. “It’s time for her to go home.”
The boys exchange glances, and one of them, the tallest with a mop of dark hair, steps forward. “Hudson Fox,” he spits out. “Who knew you were such a fucking white knight?”
I take a step closer to him. “You don’t want to find out what happens if you fuck with my people. Now back off.”
“Ooh, Fox is getting all worked up.”
“You’re damn right I am. It’s not easy to stay calm when a group of fucking creeps are trying to take advantage of someone,” I growl before I return my focus to Claire, whose head has now dropped onto Ella’s shoulder. “Come on,” I encourage gently. “Let’s get you inside.”
Ella manages to hoist Claire upright and, between the two of us, we begin to maneuver her away from the group. The leader mumbles something under his breath but doesn’t follow. Maybe he realizes we’re not worth the trouble, or maybe he just doesn’t care all that much.
Either way, I’m more focused on getting the girls to safety right now. I’ll deal with those guys later if I need to.
Together, we guide Claire back inside the house.
“Should we take her upstairs to one of the bedrooms?” Ella asks. “Stay with her until she’s sobered up a bit?”
“Yeah, that’s probably best,” I reply, glancing up the staircase. “If she gets sick, she should have someone there.”
We move carefully, navigating the crowded hallway filled with murmurs and laughter.
Once upstairs, we push open the first door we find.
I rear back when I spot Levi and Sammy sitting on the edge of the bed, foreheads pressed together.
They’re not kissing. In fact, they’re not doing much of anything.
They seem to have frozen at the sound of the door opening, light flooding into the room. Eventually, Levi clears his throat and turns to find the three of us awkwardly standing in the doorway. I glance over to Claire, a look of utter devastation on her face.
“Levi …” Claire whispers, her voice cracking. She tries to step forward but stumbles back into Ella’s arms.
Levi’s eyes widen, and he quickly stands up, a look of confusion shading into concern. “Jesus, Claire, what happened?” His gaze flicks to me and then to Ella. “Is she okay?”
“Too much to drink,” I explain quickly, not wanting to delve into the details in front of Sammy.
Sammy looks at Levi with a question in her eyes, and he nods slightly, as if silently communicating something. She stands and gathers her things.
“I’ll give you guys some space,” she says softly, brushing past us without another word. I watch her briefly, wondering what silent exchange occurred between her and Levi, but that’s a mystery for another time.
Levi steps forward and gently takes Claire from Ella, cradling her as if she were made of porcelain. “It’s okay. I’ve got you,” he murmurs, his voice tender and soothing.
“I’m fine,” she mumbles. “I don’t want … to … play the victim.”
“Why not?” he teases, stroking her hair. “That’s my favorite game.”
Her eyes fill with unshed tears. “Sorry about your Sammy.”
Levi’s brows furrow. “It’s okay,” he starts gently. “I’m not with Sammy. Not like that.”
Ella and I exchange a concerned look as Claire begins to cry. “Are you all good?” I ask Levi.
He nods, his attention fully on the woman beside him—her tear-stained cheeks and trembling lips. “Yeah, you guys go. I’ve got her.”
Ella and I linger for a moment longer, making sure Levi has everything under control. Claire’s cries have now quieted into soft sniffles, and she leans into Levi’s chest.
“Let’s give them some privacy,” Ella whispers to me, tugging at my sleeve.
As we move to shut the door, Claire calls out, “Ella?”
“Yeah?”
“Thank you.”
“Of course,” she responds gently.
And then we shut the door behind us, leaving Levi and Claire alone together in the quiet room.
That’s the first time I’ve seen her break like that, the first time she’s felt like a real person and not just an ice queen sitting high in her castle.
It’s sad to witness, but also oddly humanizing.
The way she must have been before they drifted, the version of her Levi used to love.
“Do you think she’ll be okay?” Ella asks quietly, her voice barely rising above the hum of voices downstairs.
“I hope so,” I reply. “Levi’s got her now, and if anyone can help her through a night like this, it’s him.”
“God, I want to kick those guys outside in the nuts.”
I snort a laugh. “Yeah, well, if they try to get near you, they’ll see what happens.”
She smiles at my words, but worry is still etched in her eyes. “Let’s just get back to the party, yeah?”
“If you try not to worry too hard. I’ll check in with Levi in a couple hours, okay?”
“Yeah,” she says, “okay.”