22. Evan
Chapter 22
Evan
When Hudson walked through my door later that afternoon, I was cutting up some fruit to take out by the pool.
He tossed his keys on the bar before coming over to me.
“How’d it go? Did we blow up the government?”
He chuckled. “Dramatic much?”
Reaching for a slice of pineapple, he looked around. “Where are the kids?”
I motioned to the pool. “Out there.”
Leaning in, I kissed him, then met his eyes. “Tell me what happened.”
Hudson released a breath. “There’s not much to tell. Since I’m in the last six months of my term of office, most of the attention has shifted to the candidates running to take my place. Anne thought I was going to tell her I was reconsidering a run for the White House. She never expected me to say I had a new boyfriend.”
I grinned. “I bet not. How’d she take it?”
“Surprised, for sure. And she knows my priority 0 es have changed.”
“You can always change your mind about running. If that’s something you ultimately want to do.”
He looked up at me. “I know, but I don’t take that decision lightly. It takes 200% of your attention and effort, and I’m not in that headspace any longer. There are options to consider. But nothing that puts me in the public eye like you.”
“My spotlight isn’t that bright. It’s more like a 40-watt LED compared to your 150-watt incandescent spotlight.”
“Interesting comparison,” Hudson chuckled. He stepped back to the refrigerator and opened the door to pull out two beers.
“Are you gonna tell me what they said?”
He closed the door and handed me the beer. “Of course. They’re more concerned about your career than mine at this point. And I have to say I agree.”
My brow furrowed as I took the beer. “Mine? Why?”
Hudson leaned his hip next to the counter and popped the cap off his bottle. “Because you play a violent sport and the fandom is real. You’re unprotected out there. Other players could target you, and people who were once fans can make your life a living hell. And that’s not a chance I’m willing to take with your safety. Or anyone’s, for that matter.”
“I’ve never hidden my sexuality, Hudson. I assure you, our relationship is not a problem.”
He shifted and tipped the bottle toward me. “I hope you’re right. But it has the potential to create complications for you.”
I folded my arms over my chest. “You know I’m not the only out player in the league. And my skin is pretty thick.”
He looked at me like I was missing the point.
“Let me ask you something, Evan. How many public relationships have you had since entering the league? How many men have you openly dated where the press was there to ask uncomfortable questions about your personal life? Or have people who you thought supported you to turn on you?”
That answer was easy. “No, none of that. I haven’t been interested in anyone like that until now. But I also don’t hide who I am. And I’m not going to play forever.”
“I know. But I feel unprepared for the situation. I need to do whatever it takes to keep you and others safe..”
“Babe, you don’t have to protect me from anyone.”
He sighed. “But I do. That’s who I am as the governor and as a father. My job is literally to protect the well-being of all people in my state. Asking me to do the opposite is like asking you to change positions and become the kicker. You’d need coaching. And that’s what we need before we come out.”
Hudson kept his eyes on me as I moved closer. Placing my hands on his shoulders, I looked into his eyes and tried to reassure him. “I’m not concerned about the press. They are going to do what they do to get ratings. And I’m not concerned about my team. But if it will make you feel better before we go public, I’ll call our PR rep.”
He nodded, but the look of concern was still there. There was more to the story than what he was telling me.
“That’s a good start, but I need to do more. I was talking to Preston yesterday, and he mentioned how much Greer and I had in common. From what Preston told me, Greer Rowan would be a good source of information. For a lot of things.”
“Wait,” I laughed. “You were talking to Preston about me? I bet that was something to hear.”
“Not just about you. We were talking about his property in Portland, and how he’d gotten to know Greer. When he told me how he’d met some of the queer players and their families when they all showed up at his restaurant, it got me thinking about my little family. And the kids.”
“Okay,” I said, still not getting the connection to our situation. “What’s the connection to Greer Rowan? ”
Hudson looked at me, and like the badass he was, just told me. “I think he can help me protect kids with LGBTQ families from bullying and harassment.”
My eyes went wide. “How? Wait. Do you think Jack and Erin will be negatively affected because we’re together?”
My instinct to protect them kicked in. I’d kill anyone who hurt them.
Hudson put a hand on my shoulder. “Settle down, babe. Honestly, I don’t know. I hope not, but we both know how cruel kids and people can be. Parents can’t be there to protect their kids 24/7, but a tough law with no-tolerance policies can help.”
I nodded. “What are you thinking?”
“I believe I can do something to deter it from happening. There are kids who silently go through ugly things every day. Kids who are afraid to be who they are or to play sports. Not to mention the ones who have openly gay parents. Greer holds a wealth of knowledge I’d like to tap into. I want to know how he created a culture of zero-tolerance, and how I can do that here. We have a chance to make a difference through legislation before I leave office.”
I pulled him into my arms. “Okay, I get it.”
“I need to be prepared for whatever might come our way.”
He was right. Greer had a perspective that I could never give him.
“I’ll call Laura about meeting with us, and you get Greer’s number from Preston. ”
No matter how much I reassured him, he wouldn’t be satisfied until he had all the pieces to the puzzle. And I could see he was still concerned about something.
“Do you think your management will have an issue with us?”
I laughed. “I don’t think so. You’re the motherfucking governor.”
Hudson nodded, then wrapped his arms around me.
“Okay, Superstar. I feel better. For now. What’s for dinner? I’m starving.”
Two days before Jack and Erin left with Hudson’s parents to go on vacation, Adley took them for the night to San Francisco to see one of their favorite bands, Fallen Angel.
When they told me they were going, I pulled a few strings with Laura and got them backstage passes to meet the band. Her dad worked for EHM, who provided security for the band. That meant Hudson was free to spend the night with me.
And I had plans for him.
But first, I wanted to make him a romantic dinner. So I called Preston for help and talked him into cooking with me over a video call.
“Hello, big daddy. Miss me?”
Preston grunted and looked at Nick. “Why did I agree to do this?”
“Because he’s in love. Remember how you seduced me with a grilled cheese sandwich?”
“Wow, James. Grilled Cheese? Were you having an off night? I could have done better than that,” I goaded.
Preston scowled at me. “It was fucking gor — You know what? I’m hanging the fuck up and you can fucking open a jar of pasta sauce. No, make it a can.”
I laughed, knowing he wouldn’t actually do it. “You could. But I’ll still tell Hudson it’s your special recipe. Come to think of it, I think there’s a can of sauce in the back of the cabinet.”
“The fuck you will,” he growled, then turned to Nick. “I don’t understand what you ever saw in this guy.”
I burst out laughing as Nick tried to calm him down. It was so easy to get under his skin. Not only did I need him to give me his recipe, but I also needed him to give Hudson Greer Rowan’s phone number.
“I’m sorry, Pres. I’ll behave. Just help me cook this sauce. And there’s one more thing.”
“What now, Ellis? God, you’re so fucking needy.”
I shrugged. “This one is for Hudson”
Preston straightened and looked more concerned. “Okay. What can I do?”
His entire demeanor changed.
“He needs Greer’s number.”
Preston raised his brows, then nodded. “I already gave it to him.”
He looked over at Nick. “Can I hang up now?”
I burst out laughing again. He wouldn’t hang up on me. He just liked busting my balls.
“Thanks, big daddy. For the number and the laugh.”
Preston grunted, then pointed toward the ingredients I had stretched out across the counter. “Prop the phone up so I can watch you mangle the onions. On second thought, maybe I don’t want to see it.”
I laughed as Nick chided him. “How is he going to learn if you don’t teach him? This is what you do, babe. I’ll reward you for your good deed later.”
Oh god. They started kissing, and I was done. “Can we get back to the sauce? He’ll be here in an hour.”
Nick winked at me as I shook my head. “Carry on.”
Preston groaned and leaned back into the camera as if he could get a better look at my pile of onions.
“Cut them smaller, but don’t macerate them. Did you buy a micro plane for the garlic?”
I looked up. “You didn’t tell me to. I bought the stuff in the jar.”
“God, Ellis. You’ve watched me cook this a million times. And we don’t use the garlic in a damn jar. Fresh is always superior in flavor and texture to the jarlic.”
“I’m sorry, your highness. I’ll go right out and buy one.”
Preston continued to scowl at me as I finished chopping the onions.
“Now, put them in the pan with some olive oil over medium heat. Let them saute a bit until they’re translucent. Then add in the garlic and spices.”
“Hang on, one step at a time. How much oil? A cup?”
“Fuck no! A couple of tablespoons. Not a fucking cup.”
I laughed, knowing I was being an asshole. But I couldn’t resist. It was Preston.“Okay. Got it.”
As I set the pan on the burner, I turned the gas on high to get it going.
“Turn down the heat!” he barked from behind me.
“Okay, chef. I didn’t realize I was on Kitchen Nightmares .”
“You’re doing fine,” Nick coached.
I put the onions in the pan and added what looked like a tablespoon of oil. More or less.
“Make sure to stir them around, and when they start to cook, turn the temperature to low. Leave them until they’re translucent.”
I turned and saluted him, then did as he said. But before I could add the spices, I heard the garage door go up.
“Oh hell,” I said to them. “He’s here. Give me the cliff notes version of these directions.”
Preston sighed. “You can’t rush good sauce, Evan. Put the garlic, oregano, and basil in. When it’s heated and the spices are fragrant, add the tomatoes slowly.”
“How much salt do I —”
When Hudson came through the door wearing nothing but a royal blue jockstrap, I momentarily lost my train of thought. Fuck the sauce. My eyes flew open, and I dropped the spoon when he dropped something and charged toward me.
“You’re early. And did you drive here like that?”
Hudson grabbed me by the face and looked into my eyes. “No. But I couldn’t stay away. And you’re going to dick me down right now. I’m showered and squeezed half a bottle of lube up my ass. I’m tired of waiting, and I’m ready. No more excuses, Ellis. I’ve been watching porn and I know how to do it. Put it in me, Coach.”
My eyes widened in shock as he pushed me back against the cabinet and devoured me. He didn’t give me time to tell him I was on the phone. But the minute he heard Preston’s voice coming from the phone, he froze in my arms.
“Holy shit, governor. Who knew you had that in you? You get your man!”
Hudson went rigid in my arms, and not in the good way. The horrified look on his face when he jerked back was almost comical. And when he whipped around to see my phone propped up, he backed up against me in shock.
Leaning down, I reached around him quickly to shield his erection from view.
“What’s going on?”
“Cooking class with a side of porn,” Preston added. “Carry on.”
Before I could get to my phone, the screen went dark. Thank fuck for Nick.
“Evan. Did I just show Preston James my bare ass?”
I was struggling not to laugh. “Uh, seems you did, babe. But it’s okay. You have a nice ass.”
He groaned as I reached over and turned off the burner. Turning him in my arms, I bent down and picked him up over my shoulder.
“Where are we going?” he asked as I strode toward the bedroom.
“I’m rewarding your spontaneity, governor, and gonna give you what you want. We’re not letting all that porn watching go to waste.”
Hudson laughed and squeezed my ass. I knew we were on the same page.