18. Evan
Chapter 18
Evan
I didn’t realize how fucking difficult it was going to be to say goodbye to Hudson and the kids. After spending five days together, their leaving reaffirmed how I felt about them. I wanted them in my life. Even before they left, I’d begun the countdown to the next time we’d see each other again.
“Do you have everything?”
Hudson sighed. “Yes, I think so.”
“Then how about leaving something behind so you have to come back for it?”
Hudson smiled at me, but I could see the sadness in his eyes as well.
“If I remember correctly,” he said, circling his arms around me, “I still have your shirt in my office.”
I smiled weakly. “Yes, I forgot about that. I guess I’ll have to come get it. I might need that soon.”
We both knew I didn’t need it. I could buy a hundred more. But that wasn’t the point.
“I’ll see you in two weeks. On the fourth. Until then, we can video call and text.”
I nodded, trying to will myself not to miss him. “I wish you could stay longer.”
“I do too. But I have a meeting with the Lt. Governor in the morning. And we have planning to do.”
Hudson’s phone buzzed once again, and that meant it was time to go.
I walked him to the door as he called upstairs for the kids. Jack and Erin came down, their backpacks in hand.
“When are tryouts, my dude?” I asked Jack, clapping him on the shoulder.
“First week of August.”
I nodded. “We’ll practice some more when I see you next time.”
“Cool. Sounds good.” He raised his fist to bump into mine, but I wrapped my hand around it and pulled him in for a hug.
He smiled and patted my back. “Bye, Evan. Thanks for inviting us.”
I glanced over at Hudson. “You’re welcome here anytime, buddy.”
I hugged Erin, who followed her brother out. When they were in the car, Hudson closed the door and dropped his bag to the floor. Pulling me into his arms, our mouths met in a heated kiss.
I already missed him, and he hadn’t even left.
Breaking the kiss, I held his forehead to mine and breathed him in. “Call me when you get home.”
Hudson nodded. “I didn’t expect this to be so difficult.”
“Me either. But we can do it. It’ll just make the time we are together that much better.”
He nodded, trying to convince us both. “Yeah. I better go.”
I released my hold on him and opened the door. Hudson picked up his bag and slung it over his shoulder.
“Bye, Evan,” he said, patting me on the shoulder.
“Bye, Governor.”
I wrapped my arms across my chest and watched as he handed off his bag to Thomas before climbing into the car. Thomas scanned the area one more time, then nodded to me before sliding into the driver’s seat.
As I watched from the door, Thomas started the car and quietly pulled away from the curb. Hudson looked at me and waved, the sadness I felt apparent on his face.
I followed them until they were out of sight. With a heavy heart, I went back inside and sat down on the sofa. Grabbing the remote, I turned on the TV and flipped channels, looking for anything that might distract me.
Settling on a baseball game, I watched mindlessly as I replayed the last five days in my head. I had a new boyfriend and he was the governor of the fucking state. Grinning, I rubbed my palm over my chest to soothe the ache.
My phone pinged on the coffee table and I scrambled to pick it up. Swiping the screen, I saw a text from Hudson.
Hudson: We’re not out of the neighborhood and I already fucking miss you.
Hudson: What have you done to me, Ellis?
Me: I miss you too. Only fourteen days until I see you again.
I reread my text, then erased that last line before hitting send.
Me: Let me know when you land. And call me tonight.
Hudson: I will.
When I didn’t receive another text, I went back to the ballgame and waited to hear from him again.
Over the following days, we slipped into a daily routine. First thing in the morning, Hudson started our day at six-thirty with a video call before he had to get up. I’d sent him earbuds to use, so our NSFW conversations were not overheard. We’d talk while he went downstairs to make a cup of coffee and then while he showered and got dressed.
During the day, I went about working out and taking care of business. I’d completed my responsibilities to sponsorships earlier in the offseason, leaving me free as a bird.
The highlight of my day came when my phone pinged with a text from Hudson. I tried not to blow up his phone when I knew he was working, but I couldn’t help sending a picture of the water from my deck. Or a photo of me from the waist down, looking out at the view of the water from my bed. The view he loved to start his day with when he was here.
I knew he was busy running the state government, so when my phone rang and I got to hear his voice, I stopped whatever I was doing to take his call. Even if I was with Lennox.
No matter what I did, the evening was the worst. He called each night after dinner and when the kids were busy. They had a busy life that held more than working out and hanging with friends. I found myself with too much time to think and the realization that my life was pretty empty.
I wanted what he had. A direction in my life that extended beyond football.
Before meeting Hudson, I was content just hanging out or surfing during the offseason. But now that he and the kids had been here, it was fucking lonely. And when I couldn’t stand it, I’d go pester Preston during the day just to have something to do. Only that didn’t last long.
One week was how long it took me to get my shit together and rent a house near Hudson’s in Sacramento.
“Why the fuck are you still here, Ellis? All that moping around isn’t attractive,” Preston said, shoving a plate of food at me.
I laughed at his to-the-point advice. “Well thanks, Preston.”
“Evan, what my less-than-eloquent husband is trying to say is, why are you still in San Diego?”
Preston threw his hand up and slung the towel he was wiping the counter with over his shoulder. “That’s exactly what I said, Nicholas .”
“Yes, but the delivery was off.”
Turning back to me, my friend started again.
“Is there any reason you have to be in town? Any team stuff or commitments of any kind?”
I shook my head. “Nope. Already took care of the endorsements, and training camp starts at the end of the month.”
Nick raised his brows. “Then what’s stopping you from going to Sacramento until then?”
“I don’t want to be pushy like that.”
Preston snorted. “Be pushy. The man fucking misses you. He told me.”
“Subtle like a sledgehammer, that one,” Nick said, looking over at his husband. “But he’s right. Go rent a place and stay for a couple of weeks. He can’t be here, but you can be there. For now, anyway.”
I bit my lip and considered what he said. “It would be kinda romantic to show up like that, wouldn’t it?”
“Yep,” Nick said. “And if you get a place to stay, he can come to you.”
My heart pounded as excitement filled me. There was nothing stopping me from going to him. “Yeah. You’re right. You’re a genius, Nick.”
Preston snorted and shook his head. “Get out of here, pretty boy. Go get your man.”
“I will. Thanks, Preston.”
He rolled his eyes but softened a little. “You’re welcome.”
Leaving my plate of uneaten food behind, I headed to the door that led to the beach.
“Don’t you want to finish eating before you leave?” Preston called after me.
I smiled and walked back over to where the other half of a killer grilled cheese sandwich waited for me and stuffed it into my mouth.
“Classy,” he muttered as Nick laughed at me.
“Get outta here. Let me know your final plans,” Nick called.
“Will do.”
I headed out and down to the beach. During my jog home, I made a mental list of all the things I needed to do. And I knew exactly who could help me.
After taking the steps three at a time, I entered the code to unlock my door. I grabbed a bottle of water from my bar refrigerator and settled on a lounge chair. Tapping the screen, I opened my phone and sent a text.
Me: I need some help with a secret mission and you’re the perfect person to help.
As I waited for a reply, I wondered how receptive she’d be.
Adley: What kind of secret mission are we talking about?
Me: I need some help finding a rental near Hudson’s house.
Adley: And why would you need that?
Me: Hudson said he told you about us.
Adley: LMAO! Like he had to tell me.
Me: What do you mean?
Adley: He’s smiling more than usual.
Adley: But he’s obviously missing someone.
I smiled.
Me: I hope it’s me.
Adley: That would be my guess.
Adley: What kind of place do you want?
Me: My only requirement is close to his house. And one with a pool or something the kids would enjoy.
Adley: That’s two. So not just a love shack?
Damn, she was funny.
Me: I didn’t say that. But I want Erin and Jack to come over too. And I didn’t think their home was an option.
Adley: Good call. Until he tells the Press Secretary, it’s best to keep things under wraps. For the kids.
Me: I agree. So privacy, proximity, and a pool.
Adley: I’ll get started!
Me: Thanks Adley. And I want to surprise him.
Adley: Text me when you arrive, and I’ll make sure he’s free.
And when she texted back half an hour later with a link to the perfect place, I booked it and started packing.
Tomorrow afternoon, I’d be back with Hudson.