27. Hudson
Chapter 27
Hudson
When Mrs. Ellis arrived at the hotel, Evan went down to meet her. While he got her checked into her room, I opened up my laptop to check my email and make some notes after meeting with Greer.
I was deep into creating a list of objectives when my phone pinged with a message from Anna. Swiping up to see the message, I had a feeling this message was connected to what happened earlier.
Anna: Please call me when you can.
I stopped my growing anxiety by doing as she asked and dialed her number.
“Hello, Hudson. I’m sorry to bother you, but I need to know how you want me to address the photos.”
Oh god.
Every politician’s nightmare was having their dirty laundry exposed on the internet. But I couldn’t think of a single thing we’d done that would be salacious or scandalous.
“What photos are you talking about? Please be specific.”
She sighed. “Evan has a fan page on social media, like most professional athletes.”
“Yes, I know.” I knew those pages well.
“But a new one is gaining thousands of followers a day. It’s called…” She hesitated, and that had me worried. “The governor’s tight end.”
I heard the humor in her tone, but my face heated at the implications. Thank god I wasn’t on a video call.
“Technically, it’s not… wrong,” she added. “And the photos are innocent enough, I suppose. Some are from the beach in San Diego, others from around Sacramento. Nothing salacious yet. But it’s only a matter of time, Hudson. Now’s the time to direct the narrative.”
She was right, and I knew it was best for all four of us to take control of the situation now.
“Okay. You’re the expert. What do we need to do?”
Anna wasted no time. “An interview on social media. Legacy media is losing market share every day because they tend to lean one way or the other. An independent news journalist with a following on multiple platforms is the way to go.”
“Fine,” I sighed. “Just let me know who and when.”
“I will. Enjoy the rest of your trip.”
I ended the call and sat back on the sofa. Staring up at the artfully textured ceiling, I began to process all this information. I could just imagine what had been created, but until I saw the photos, my hands were tied.
Picking up my phone, I opened the app my kids used. Tapping on the search function, I typed in the governor’s tight end , then pressed enter.
My dick stirred as mental images of us tangled together filled my brain as quickly as the search results filled my screen. Now I regretted my choice to decline Evan’s offer to blow me earlier.
Clicking on the first listing, I was greeted by an image of the two of us together. Swiping to look at the profile, the page description was fascinating.
This is a fan account dedicated to the coupledom of Governor Hudson Gatlin and Storm Tight End Evan Ellis.
I scrolled down the posts to find the most damning was pinned to the top. It was a photo of us walking into this very hotel two hours ago. One from the airport where we were getting off the plane with Austin. Several were of us standing close together while we waited for Thomas to bring the car.
We looked like we were in love. I never knew my face gave so much away. No wonder my kids could read me like a book.
I scrolled to the end and noted the first post. Several from the Gala, multiple photos from the beach, three from the stadium tour with the kids, and two of Evan walking up the steps to the Capitol Building.
There were photos of me doing my job, photos of him on the field, and photos of us together. Some were obviously AI-generated because we’d never dressed up as Roman Warriors kissing on the battlefield. And another one of him dressed as Superman, and me as Captain America. We looked hot together. And I had to admit, they made me laugh.
There were too many photos to claim we were just friends. We weren’t. And we didn’t want to hide anymore.
So I picked up my phone and dialed Anna.
“Schedule the interview and whatever press you feel is necessary. We’ll be back tomorrow, so as soon as you can get it arranged will be good.”
“Yes, sir,” she said. “Can I use the AI photos in a press release?”
“Funny,” I said. “But you can have some printed for me. Evan will get a kick out of them.”
She laughed. “I’m so happy you aren’t losing your mind over this, Hudson. It’s going to be bumpy for a while, but it will blow over.”
I huffed out a laugh. “Of course it will. They can say whatever they like about me, but my kids will not be a topic of conversation. Period. Vet them thoroughly, Anna.”
“I will. Where would you like to do the interview? Your office is too formal, so someplace calm and serene will lessen the tension. Your house would work.”
I shook my head. “No.”
My home was off-limits to the governorship. We had to have a space that was free of family memories.
“Let’s go with Evan’s house. Out by the pool.”
“Good visuals. I’ll let you know when we’re a go.”
“Perfect. I’ll text you when we’re on the way back.”
As I ended the call, the door to the suite opened. Evan walked in with his mother behind him.
I stood and walked toward them. Evan noticed my mood immediately.
“We have our very own fan page, and you’re going to love it.”
His grin was infectious. “They’ve shipped us, haven’t they?”
I nodded. “Just wait until you see the photos.”
“Are they hot?”
“The AI-generated ones are. You’ll get a kick out of them. I had Anna schedule an interview for us. It’s time to make us official.”
We were being rude. So I turned my attention to Mrs. Ellis. “No more shop talk. It’s wonderful to meet you in person.”
She opened her arms and pulled me into a hug. I glanced at Evan as the big grin took over his face.
“Call me Elaine. You’re good for my son, and even more handsome in person than all the photos on the internet, Hudson.”
Evan laughed as he pulled me back to wrap his arms around my shoulders. “Back off, Mama. He’s mine.”
We both laughed, but he had no idea what it did to me to hear him say that to someone other than me.
My stomach growled.
“Someone is hungry,” she said. “We need to feed you, Hudson.”
“We skipped lunch. Where do you recommend we get dinner, Elaine?”
Evan chuckled and put his chin on my shoulder. “She loves Bernardo’s, and the food is spectacular.”
The name sounded familiar. “Preston’s place?”
Evan nodded. “The very one.”
“I’m proud of how you’ve made friends with him, sweetheart,” she said.
He shrugged and squeezed me tighter. “He’s good for Nick. And without him, I wouldn’t have Hudson.”
She beamed at her son, and I see her pride in him as a man. Not an athlete.
My stomach growled again. “Let’s order dinner. I’m starved.”
Evan kissed my cheek. “Okay, I’m ordering Chicken Marsala. Then I’m texting Preston it’s better up here.”
I shook my head. “You just have to poke the bear, don’t you?”
He shrugged. “It’s our love language. I poke and he scowls.”