24. Evan
Chapter 24
Evan
The next morning, while I was making coffee, my phone rang. Hudson was in the bedroom, talking to Adley about his schedule when Preston called. I grinned and accepted the video call.
“Good morning, Big Daddy! Calling to check on your star student?”
He scowled at me. “Stop calling me that. And no, asshole. I’m calling to tell you I talked to Greer. He said he hadn’t heard from Hudson, so I gave him the rundown.”
“We’ve been a little busy.” I waggled my eyebrows just to get on his nerves.
“I don’t need to know about that, Ellis.”
I laughed. “I thought it was only fair since I’ve seen your drunken declarations for Nick. You know, that makes us even.”
He rubbed his forehead. “I hate you.”
He didn’t, and we both knew it. It wasn’t like I saw it happen. It was on the internet for anyone to see.
I grinned as I poured two cups of coffee, then raised one to him. “Thanks, Preston. I’ll let him know.”
He grunted but didn’t hang up. “Good”
“Okay,” I said, wondering why he hadn’t ended the call.
“Don’t fuck this up, Ellis. Hudson’s a good man. And for some unknown reason seems to like you.”
I laughed. “I’ll try.”
Hudson walked in with his phone in hand. “What are you trying not to fuck up?”
I pointed to the phone where Preston’s scowling face looked at me. His demeanor changed into a smirk when he saw Hudson.
“Morning, governor.”
Hudson turned three shades of red and groaned.
“Fucking hell. Can we forget about yesterday’s exposure?”
Preston laughed. “Of course. Already forgotten.”
Hudson nodded. “Thank you.”
He picked up his mug as I told him about Greer.
“I’ll call and set something up. I appreciate that Preston.”
He smiled and nodded. “You’re welcome. And Hudson, don’t think you’re the only one who’s embarrassed yourself. I’ve done it, except I did it in front of a crowded bar.”
I burst out laughing.
“Shut it, Ellis.”
I held up my hands. “No problem, Pres. I’ll let you share that with him sometime in the future.”
He grunted and waved, then ended the call.
“I think you’re wrong about him, Evan. Preston likes you, but doesn’t want you to know it.”
I smiled but didn’t comment on him. “Would you be up for a quick trip to Portland? I’d like to go introduce you to my mom before we he season starts.”
Hudson nodded. “Yes! I can take a look at Preston’s building while we’re there. I’ll call Greer and set something up. Did you call the team PR liaison?”
“Not yet. I’ll do that now.”
He leaned in for a coffee-flavored kiss. “Okay. Let’s do this. You make your calls, and I’ll make mine.”
I grinned. “Yes, sir, governor.”
Hudson grabbed the neck of my T-shirt and pulled me down for another kiss. Then he turned away and started dialing as he walked out of the room. As usual, all I could do was smile at how fucking lucky I was to have him.
With coffee in hand, I took my phone and went outside to call Laura.
I settled into a chair by the pool and dialed her number. It rang three times before she answered.
“Hey, Evan. How are you?”
“I’m good, Laura. Am I catching you at a bad time?”
“Not at all. I’m actually visiting my Dad for a few days. What can I do for you?”
“That’s cool. He’s in Portland, right?”
“He is.” She paused, then continued quietly. “What’s up, Evan? Please tell me you’re not in trouble.”
I laughed. “No. I’m not in trouble. Not yet, anyway. But I do need to inform you and the team about the change in my relationship status. I’m involved with a man.”
“Uh-huh,” she replied. “Would this man be Hudson Gatlin?”
I laughed. “That would be the one, yes. How did you know?”
Now she was laughing. “Um, it was obvious to me. You two look at one another the way my dad looks at Brent.”
My brow furrowed, curious as to how we’d outed ourselves. “What do you mean?”
“When they visited the stadium, the governor couldn’t keep his eyes off you. At first, I thought he was focused on his son. But turns out it was you. And you looked at each like it would be difficult to breathe if the other weren’t around.”
I wasn’t one to be embarrassed easily, but my face heated at the thought she got all that in one afternoon.
“Did we really look that way?”
“Yes,” she said softly. “And I think it’s wonderful. I suppose you want to know what to do about the team?”
I nodded, even though she couldn’t see me. “Yeah. I think my teammates will be cool, but I’m not sure about the coach. Or Mr. Carlisle. Or even the NFL.”
“I won’t sugarcoat this, Evan. Things may be difficult with other teams. This may be an unpopular opinion, but your happiness off the field is more important than anything you do on it. And I think Mr. Carlisle would agree. But I have an idea.”
“Yeah? What’s that?”
“My father has connections to the Pirates. In fact, his boss is married to their kicker, Dominick Rossi, and the other one to Greer Rowan. How about I arrange to introduce you guys, and maybe you can talk.”
I laughed. “I think the stars are aligning for us, Laura. Hudson is on the phone with Greer Rowan right now.”
“That’s great. But why Mr. Rowan?”
I ran a hand over my head. “He’s thinking about expanding the food project to include the entire West Coast. And he just relates to him, I guess. We’re actually planning to fly up there to meet with him. And he has some questions for you. Maybe we can kill two birds with one stone.”
Laura spoke to someone in the background before she came back to me. “Sorry. Yes, I think that would be a great idea. Let me know when Mr. Rowan is available, and I’ll see what I can arrange.”
I smiled to myself. “Thanks, Laura. I appreciate it. But I want to keep this under wraps for now. I’m following Hudson’s lead.”
“I understand,” she replied. “Can I ask why the governor wants to talk with me?”
I sighed and rubbed my fingers over my lips. “He wants to make sure I don’t lose my career because of us. I told him not to worry, but this is Hudson we’re talking about.”
“I think it’s sweet, Evan.”
I couldn’t stop the smile on my face. “Yeah, me too. I’ll be in touch as soon as Hudson gives me a date.”
Strong hands grasped onto my shoulders. “Greer is available tomorrow if that works for her.”
I nodded and conveyed the message to her.
“Perfect. I’ll text you with an itinerary in just a little while. Need me to make a hotel reservation?”
I looked up at Hudson who shook his head no. “No. Hudson has that covered.”
Laura chuckled. “I’m sure he does. I’ll be in touch.”
When the call ended, I put my phone on the table. Hudson walked around and took the seat across from me.
“Get everything squared away?”
“Yes. And you?”
“Just Laura. I’ll call my mom in a little while.”
“Good.” He stood and held out his hand to me. “Then let’s get breakfast. We have a busy day ahead of us.”
I couldn’t recall any plans we’d made, but I’d do whatever he wanted.
Taking his outstretched hand, I pulled him into my lap for a kiss. And when he was breathless, I pushed him to his feet.
“Tease.”
I laughed. “I’ll make it up to you.”
“Yes, you will.”
His smirk made me smile as he walked away.
For the first time in my life, football was not my priority.
Hudson was.