3. Hudson
Chapter 3
Hudson
When I entered politics I knew social events were important to ensure I stayed in the office. Meeting people and networking was an essential part of the job. My constituents and campaign donors expected my presence, even though I’d rather be at home with my kids.
What wasn’t essential was embarrassing myself by spilling my cocktail all over Evan Ellis, the starting tight end for the San Diego Storm. The one who could be a doppelg?nger for the actor who played Superman . Henry something.
He’d startled me, and when I turned to look up, I recognized him immediately from Jack’s bedroom wall. Not to mention we wore the same underwear. That ad, however, was not on my son’s wall.
“Oh my god,” I muttered under my breath. “I apologize. Let me help you. I swear I’m usually not this clumsy.”
With my hand that wasn’t holding the offending bourbon, I attempted to brush off the dark liquid soaking into his shirt. Then it occurred to me what this might look like. I could see tomorrow’s headlines now.
Governor Gets Handsy with Tight End
This was not my night. But I bet Jack would get a kick out of how I’d messed up his favorite player. Or be humiliated that I’d embarrassed him.
“It’s okay, really.”
Evan moved in front of me and then reached for the glass. I watched as he tipped it back and drank the remaining liquid. He made it appear that he’d been the one to destroy his shirt. Not me.
The big man appeared unaffected, smiling down at me as if nothing had happened. To anyone watching, we might appear like two old friends having a conversation. And somehow, his actions settled my frazzled nerves.
I stuck out my hand to shake his. “You’re Evan Ellis. Tight end for the Storm.”
“Yes, sir. That’s me. How did you know?”
“Your poster’s on the wall.”
Mother of all that’s holy. Shut the fuck up, Hudson.
I pinched the bridge of my nose as my face heated, then took a deep breath before releasing a heavy sigh. Could this night get any worse?
Why yes, yes it could.
I knew I was making a fool of myself, but I was determined something would go right tonight. “Do you think I could get an autograph?”
His head tipped back, exposing his neck and Adam’s apple when he laughed like it was the funniest joke he’d ever heard.
Embarrassed, I missed the humor in my statement. But the longer we stared at each other, the more I understood what he was doing. He was laughing at the situation with me , not at me.
I held up my hand and looked down. “Let me rephrase that. I meant my son has your poster on his wall. And the autograph is for him.”
When I met his eyes, the smirk was no longer there. He wore a kind smile on his handsome face, and I could see what people saw in him.
Evan Ellis was a kind and caring man. And when he put his big hand on my shoulder, the weight settled me a little more.
“I’ll be happy to sign anything you like, sir. But I have a question.”
I looked up at him expectantly.
“Are you one of my fans too?”
Evan removed his hand and slid it into his pocket, unfazed by his shirt soaked in bourbon.
“What? No. Not you, per se. But the team, of course. But your shirt.” I motioned toward it as if he’d forgotten.
His big hand went to his chest. “I think I might be offended, Governor. I’m a superstar.”
The amused look on his face said he was anything but offended. So I chuckled and nodded, not quite sure what to say. I was not one to be rendered speechless, but somehow, this guy had done it.
“I apologize for ruining your shirt, Superstar. I’ll pay for the replacement.”
I reached out and ran my fingers over the satin lapels of the designer suit.
“It’s not a big deal.”
I froze momentarily, then shifted my gaze to him. “I wish that wasn’t me right now. This is not my finest moment.”
“I recognized you the minute I walked in the door. I voted for you.”
Evan’s blue eyes sparkled with mischief. “And your poster is on my wall.”
I smiled, taken aback. How cool was it that a professional athlete like him had my campaign poster?
Wait.
Did I have campaign posters like that?
“Oh. Um. Okay. Well, thank you for your vote. It’s always good to meet my supporters.”
I pulled at my collar and looked around for Adley. Was it hot in here? This was not the time for her to have disappeared. She was always here, whether I needed her or not.
When she was nowhere to be found, I took matters into my own hands. I couldn’t let him stay here in that destroyed shirt.
Sighing, I nodded once.
“Follow me,” I said, taking his well-being into my own hands.
His deep chuckle registered in my brain. “Where are you taking me?”
I could hear the playful snark in his tone. I spoke teenager… fluently.
“To get you out of that shirt before you get sick.”
When he didn’t reply, I glanced over my shoulder as he grinned at me. “Whatever you want to do with me, Governor, I’m here for it.”
I nodded and motioned for him to follow. As we rounded the corner, I gestured to one of my many pages.
“William, I’ll be back. Please find Adley and ask her to meet me in my office as soon as she can.”
The young man nodded, wide-eyed, as he stared up at the giant towering over him. “Yes sir, Governor. I’ll tell her.”
He scurried off to find her as I led Evan through the back hallway toward the rear entrance of the building.
Thomas Kingsley, my security, followed us as we exited the building and headed toward my office two blocks away.
“You don’t have to do this, Governor. I can go back to the hotel. It’s no problem.”
I looked up at him as he walked by my side. “You brought another dress shirt?”
Evan shook his head. “Well, no. I only brought one.”
“That’s what I thought,” I said as we crossed the street. “I might have something that will work in my office. I keep extras there.”
Evan chuckled. “You’ve got something that might fit me?”
I looked over at him and sized him up. “Probably not, but I have a few that aren’t fitted. If that doesn’t work, Adley can get you another one. She’s a miracle worker like that.”
Evan smirked at me. “I’m impressed.”
“She’s amazing. And please call me Hudson.”
I pointed toward the side entrance, then glanced at him. He smiled like this was the most fun he’d had in weeks. And I was powerless to do anything but return it.
“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”
Evan laughed. “Actually yes. And it’s cool getting a personal tour of the Governor’s Office by the Gov— I mean Hudson himself. I guess this means we’re friends now.”
I snorted. “What makes you think that?”
Thomas opened the door as we entered the building. I looked over at Evan as he took in the building’s interior. And when we got to the reception area of my office, he answered my question.
“You didn’t have to take care of this yourself, Hudson. You could have sent anyone on your staff to find me one. But you chose to take care of me personally. That’s what nice guys and friends do.”
I shrugged and stopped in front of my closet. Opening the door, I rifled through the half a dozen shirts there for one that might fit him.
“I could have,” I said, “but you’re not just anyone, are you? You’re a superstar, remember?”
Evan’s laughter made me smile. He was a nice guy, and I enjoyed making him laugh. Even if it was at my expense.
When I found the one I was looking for, I turned and froze.
Evan Ellis stood in front of me with his unbuttoned shirt pulled from his pants, and his untied bowtie hanging around his collar. He shrugged off his coat, then looked down as he unfastened the sleeves.
I’d never seen such a sculpted torso. His bare chest was exposed down to his navel, and the dark hair that led into his pants became fascinating.
What was I doing? I’d never noticed a man’s physique like that before.
Looking away, I pointed toward my private bathroom and held out the shirt for him to take. “You can clean up in there. Maybe this will fit.”
I could feel my face roasting in embarrassment.
“Thanks, Hudson,” he said, taking the shirt from me.
I watched his feet as he walked into my bathroom. “Towels are under the vanity.”
“Thank you.”
I went to my desk and sat in my chair. Before I could take a breath, Adley came charging into my office.
“What happened? What’s the emergency?”
I pointed at the bathroom. “Evan is changing. Spilled my drink all over him. My shirt might not fit.”
The smile that broke across her face made me roll my eyes.
“That’s one way to meet him,” she teased. I really should fire her.
“Adley, the man needs another shirt.”
“I bet he does,” she smirked. “What size?”
“Big,” I said, “ really big.” My face heated again.
It was official. I’d finally snapped and lost my mind. So I stood from my desk. “You get him what he needs, and I’ll head back over.”
She grinned at me like she knew something I didn’t.
“What?” I asked irritably as I rounded my desk and headed for the door.
“Nothing. We’ll be back shortly,” she said, as the door opened.
Evan walked out in my shirt, the buttons hanging on for dear life. He looked ridiculous.
I burst out laughing. “Well, that won’t work. But good news. Looks like the cavalry has arrived just in time.”
He smirked at me. “Friends don’t laugh at one another, Hudson. That’s rude.”
“But are we friends?” I asked, heading for the door. We had to be after this shitshow.
“Best of,” he called as I walked out. “I expect you to buy me a drink after this is over. You can make it up to me for ruining my shirt.”
I laughed and waved over my shoulder. “Adley will take good care of you.”
“Don’t forget, Hudson. Or I’ll come find you.”
I bet he would.