7. Hudson
Chapter 7
Hudson
It had been a week since I’d met the incomparable Evan Ellis. When Jack brought him up over dinner, or on the way to school, my gratitude toward him grew. My son was excited to go to San Diego, and I hoped the joy carried over when we returned.
Every time my phone buzzed in my pocket, I was hit with the overwhelming urge to pull it out to see what message might be waiting. I was like a teenager addicted to my cellular lifeline. But there was no one to blame but me because I’d started it the day he left. And for very selfish reasons, I didn’t want it to stop.
Adley had become my closest friend since Carrie died. I didn’t have time to socialize since I spent what little free time I had with my kids. As the Governor, I couldn’t go out with the guys for a beer or to a sports bar to watch a football game. What would my constituents think if I left my kids at home for a night out? I could see my PR staff working overtime on that one. And I had zero interest in dating.
That was another reason I hung on to the text conversations with Evan. In only a week, they’d become a lifeline to normalcy I hadn’t known since starting my political career. I couldn’t remember what it was like not to worry about public opinion or re-election campaigns.
Then there was Jack. When I thought about how good Evan had been with him, it made me smile. So much so that Adley noticed. And that meant trouble.
Evan: I have a question.
Me: Okay.
Evan: Let’s pretend you’ve had a stressful day.
Me: You mean EVERY day?
Evan: Yes, whatever. Back to the question.
Me: You haven’t asked a question.
Evan: If you’d stop distracting me, I could.
Me: Fine. Stressful day. Go.
Evan: So about this hypothetical stressful day…
I was smiling like a damn fool.
Me: Yes
Evan: I didn’t ask you anything yet.
Me: Then hurry up. I’ve had a stressful day!
Evan: So impatient.
Me: I’m blocking you.
Evan: No! Okay, I’ll stop making fun of your stressful day.
Evan: I mean, what do you really do other than tell people what to do?
Me: What do you do other than play with your balls?
I hit send, proud of myself for my smart-ass answer. Then I read it back and burst into flames.
What the fuck was I doing??
I put my phone face down on my desk, then immediately picked it back up. Staring at the screen as the dots bounced, I could just imagine what he was going to say.
So when Adley walked into my office, I didn’t notice until she barked out my name. Startled, I jumped and lost control of my phone before it landed on the floor.
Waiting for his reply.
Mid-stupid smile.
But full-on embarrassed.
“God, Adley! You didn’t have to shout like that!” I reached down and retrieved my iPhone from under my desk.
My so-called friend and personal assistant threw her head back and laughed at my failed juggling act. And when she could breathe, she wiped away the tears.
“Damn, I wish I’d recorded that for when you make the kids get off their phones!”
I scowled as I peered down at my screen. “How do you know I wasn’t working?”
She laughed again. “Hud, you don’t smile like that, ” she said, pointing to my face, “unless you’re happy.”
My face heated as she continued to chuckle at my expense.“Calling your name didn’t work, so shouting it was!”
Glaring at her, I narrowed my eyes. “You’re lucky security didn’t come running.”
She waved away my concern. “They’ve all gone home. Which is what I came in to tell you. I’m going home too.”
I took a deep breath as I glanced at my phone again. “Fine. See you tomorrow.”
If she left, I could go back to texting in peace.
Adley stood in the middle of my office in her navy blue pantsuit with her hands propped on her hips, smiling at me.
“What?”
I watched in horror as she sat down in the wingback chair across from my desk. We were going to be here a while.
“Hudson, I’m going to tell you something, and I want you to listen to me.”
I didn’t reply for a moment, hoping she’d just get on with it. But I wasn’t that lucky.
“Okay.”
She motioned toward my phone, currently held in a death grip.
“It’s okay for you to like him.”
My brows furrowed so much that the creases on my forehead developed new creases.
“Adley—”
She held up her hand. "Hudson, listen to me.”
I sighed and rolled my eyes like a petulant teenager. But when I remembered how much I hated it when Jack did that, I straightened and gave her an adult response.
“Yes, ma’am. I’m listening.”
Adley gave me her motherly expression.
“No one or anything has put that smile on your face since before Carrie got sick. And I’m not talking about the Hudson as a parent smile. I’m talking about the Hudson as a man smile.”
My heart started to beat erratically as I looked at her. What did she see when she looked at me?
So I chuckled as I put on my campaign smile, but dialed it back by half. Leaning forward, I placed my phone in my lap and put my elbows on my desk.
“Adley, I’m doing exactly what you suggested. I’ve found an unlikely friend I enjoy talking to about a variety of things. My son is one topic. And nothing more.”
My heart continued to thunder as she looked at me with what looked like pity in her gaze before she nodded.
Standing, she looked down at me.
“Okay,” she sighed. “That’s a good place to start. With friends.”
The closer she got to the door, the quicker my pulse began to normalize. When she stopped with her hand on the doorframe and looked back at me, I held my breath.
“Hudson, Carrie wanted you to be happy. Just promise me you won’t cut yourself off from the possibilities. No matter who they may be.”
Stunned, I sat back but never broke away from her gaze. All I could do was nod.
When she finally turned and walked out, I looked down at my phone. She was right. Evan’s texts made me smile.
Evan: I do a lot more than play with my balls.
Evan: And I’ll be happy to show you when you come to San Diego.
For the first time in over two years, my stomach tightened at the thought of seeing Evan next week. And I wasn’t sure what to make of that.
So I sat back in my chair and looked at the photo of my family. As I looked at Carrie and the kids, I wondered if the smile I wore in the photo was the same one I wore when I sparred with Evan.
I don’t know how long I sat there thinking about what Adley had said and wondering where my life was headed. Sometimes I felt lost without someone to talk to, and I wondered if Evan might be that person.
When my phone buzzed again, I looked at the screen.
Evan: Sorry if I offended you.
Smiling, I picked it up and began to type.
Me: No offense taken. Adley came in.
Me: Now, what’s the question? I should probably get home.
Evan: Oh yeah. Do you know how to cook?
I shook my head as I replied.
Me: Yes, I can. Nothing fancy, but I’ve learned along the way.
Evan: Cool. Maybe you can teach me.
Me: Is that what you wanted to ask? Or are you bluffing?
Evan: Let’s say I called an audible.
Me: You changed the play.
Evan: Go feed my new friends. I’ll text you later.
And just like that, the ludicrous smile was back.
After dinner, I headed up to my bathroom to shower and change into track pants and a T-shirt. Grabbing my phone, I walked down the hallway, stopping when I heard Jack in his room laughing and playing video games with his friends. I paused and listened a moment before walking toward Erin’s room. Stopping outside her door, I smiled when I heard three other voices talking at once. If I had to guess, she was having a video chat.
After losing their mother, there were times I wasn’t sure we’d ever be happy again. But I was wrong, and I was okay with it.
Heading down the stairs and into the media room, I sat down on the sofa and propped my feet on the ottoman. Picking up the remote, I turned on the television and flipped channels, looking for a baseball game to watch. In early June, most teams were still trying to find their footing after roster changes and trades.
As I flipped channels, I stopped on the Sports Network. The panel of former athletes and armchair quarterbacks were discussing the upcoming NFL season. The topic of discussion was how the prospects each team had acquired would help them in their quest for the Super Bowl ring. And evidently, the Storm wasn’t predicted to repeat as Super Bowl Champions.
Picking up my phone, I typed a message.
Me: Hey Superstar. Got some bad news for you.
I hit send and waited for his reply. It wasn’t long before the dots danced on the screen, making a smile split my face.
Evan: What? Don’t say you’re not coming. I’ve made plans.
Me: Should I be afraid?
Evan: Maybe.
Me: What kind of plans?
Evan: Big ones. And I’m not telling you. It’s a surprise.
Evan: But I do have a question.
Me: Ask me.
Evan: Are you traveling with your entourage and security?
Me: No entourage. I’ll have a bodyguard and some DPS on the ground. They’ll check everything out and blend in.
Evan: Cool. I have plenty of room if you’re interested. Four bedrooms in a gated community on the beach. The kids will love the beach.
Evan: And security is tight. We superstars need it.
I laughed as my phone buzzed with a photo of the sunset over the cerulean blue ocean from what looked like an open sundeck. The sky was alight with orange and pink streaks, relaxing me just from looking at the photo.
Me: That’s quite a beautiful view, Superstar. Maybe I should change your name to that.
Evan: It would fit! And the view’s spectacular. You’re gonna love it. So will the kids. There’s a ton to do.
Evan: Preston and Nick live five blocks away.
My gut told me this would be a PR nightmare if it got out. But this was for my kids. I was entitled to take a vacation and to have friends and a life outside of the job. I could imagine Jack and Erin out there in the water and enjoying the beach. So I typed a quick response before I could change my mind.
Me: Okay. You talked me into it. Thank you for the invitation.
Evan: That’s what friends are for, Hudson. I love having company.
My nerves settled some at his friend’s comment and made me laugh at myself. We were going to visit a friend at the beach.
There. That would work.
Evan: Now. What’s this bad news you have?
Me: You’re not going to win the Super Bowl.
Evan: How do you know that? Do you consult a psychic?
Me: No. LOL. It’s on the Sports Network.
I glanced at the television as I waited for him to reply. Usually, he responded quickly. But this was taking him a while. Maybe he wasn’t free. Or worse. Maybe he was on a date.
Frowning, I sent another message when he didn’t reply.
Me: Sorry to interrupt. We can talk later.
I put my phone down on the sofa and stared at the television screen. Why didn’t he just tell me he was busy? And more importantly, why was I bothered when he didn’t reply?
But before I could think myself into a bowl of chocolate ice cream, my phone buzzed again.
Evan: Sorry. Had to whip Lennox’s ass.
The heaviness that had been building in my chest lightened.
Me: Do I want to know?
Evan: Depends on whether you like to shoot pool or not. I’m the team champion.
I grinned.
Me: Well, it just so happens that I’m pretty good at billiards. We’ll have to play.
Evan: Bring it Gov! I’m ready to throw down with you.
I threw my head back and laughed.
Me: Be careful what you ask for.
Evan: I can’t wait.
Neither could I, and I had a feeling this trip was going to be unforgettable.