31. Hudson
Chapter 31
Hudson
The last fourteen days had been extremely busy. On one hand, I was thankful because it distracted me from missing Evan. However, the nightly calls quickly reminded me how much I missed him. We hadn’t had time for much intimacy since he shared a room with Lennox, but we were going to see each other this weekend. The coach had given them a few days off, and depending on how Jack’s tryouts went, would determine whether Evan flew here, or we went to San Diego.
Finishing up a call with the treasury, I sat back in my chair and scrubbed my hands over my face. I was exhausted, but needed to be there for Jack. Luckily, I had forty minutes to get there, and if I left now, I wouldn’t miss anything.
“Hudson?” Adley squealed as she hurried into my office.
I jumped up from my chair. “What? What’s wrong?”
She waved her hands in the air. “Nothing. But Senator Andrews is on the phone. He wants to speak to you.”
I sighed and sat down, willing my heartbeat to return to normal. “You scared the shit out of me, Ad. Don’t do that.”
“I’m sorry. But it’s the Senator. He’s going to be our president.”
I sat down in my chair and looked at my watch. I was supposed to leave in ten minutes for Jack’s tryouts. Looks like I was going to be late. Again.
“You don’t know that, but we hope so.”
I picked up the phone. “Which line?”
“Three.”
I waved her out of my office to accept the call. When she closed the door, I pushed the button.
“Collin. How are you? Sorry to keep you waiting.”
“I’m good, Hudson. How are the kids?”
I smiled. “Growing too fast.”
“Yes,” he chuckled. “They do that.”
“How’s Sarah?”
I hated small talk. I just wanted him to get to the point so I could go.
“She’s doing well. Tired from the campaign trail, but that’s par for the course. You know how that is.”
I chuckled. “Yes, I remember. So what can I do for you, Collin?”
Now he was chuckling. “Right to the point. I love that about you, Hudson. That’s why I want to add your name to the short list of potential cabinet members. I think you’d make a hell of an Attorney General. You know I have to submit a list for clearance from the Justice Department.”
I ran my hand over my face. “That’s quite an honor, Collin.”
“You deserve it, Hudson. You’ve done a great job in California.”
“I appreciate that, Collin. But I’m not sure that’s the right position for me. I’ve got my kids to think about.”
“It doesn’t have to be the AG position. We can do something else. I’m just asking if I can put your name on the list for clearance.”
I sighed and looked at my ceiling. But he cut me off before I could respond.
“Hudson, I saw the interview. If you’re hesitating because you think it could be an issue, I promise it’s not. I know about your new relationship with the football player. And I’m fine with that.”
I chuckled humorlessly. “It’s not about Evan, Collin. Not entirely, anyway. We already have a long-distance relationship. I’m the only parent my kids have, and I’m not sure uprooting them from their lives is the right move right now.”
Collin was quiet for a moment. I knew he understood. He had three kids of his own.
“I understand, Hudson. Just keep in mind that kids are resilient. Maybe a new start would be good for them. I’m not asking for a commitment right now, Hudson. Just permission to put your name on the shortlist of nominees.”
My gut churned as I thought about the possibility of leaving California. And Evan. One thing I knew was I needed to get to Jack’s school, and if I didn’t say okay to the list, he’d keep me on the phone all day.
“Okay, Collin. You can put me on the list as long as I have the option not to accept.”
He laughed. “Yes, Hudson. You have the option. But I’m going to do my best to talk you into whichever one you want.”
“I’m honored,” I said, standing from my chair. “I hate to cut this short, but I have a prior commitment I need to get to.”
“Sure, sure. You go, and I’ll tell my staff to take care of it.”
“Excellent. We’ll talk soon.”
“Talk soon, Hudson.”
He disconnected the call, and I hung up the phone. Reaching for my keys, I stuffed my phone in my pocket and headed for the door.
“Adley,” I called, walking out. “I’m headed to Jack’s tryout.”
“Wait,” she said, holding up a paper. “You need to sign this before you go.”
Handing me a pen, I took it and scribbled my name where the yellow flag indicated.
“Okay, you’re good to go.”
Thomas stood in the doorway waiting for me. “Ready to go, governor?”
I sighed and nodded. “Yes, but I drove today. I’m just going to Jack’s school.”
“Are you sure? I don’t mind going.”
I put my hand on his shoulder. “I’m positive. We’re going to be doing a lot of traveling soon. Preseason is starting next weekend, and we’ve got eighteen weeks of football games to consider.”
“It’s not a problem, sir. I love football.”
I shrugged. “Okay. Let’s go then. If you drive, I can make a few calls.”
Thomas nodded and escorted me to the car.
My phone buzzed with a text from Evan. He knew tryouts started at four since he’d spoken to Jack all fourteen days of training camp.
Evan: Tell Jack I’m proud of him and I’m sorry I couldn’t make it.
Me: I will. Did you text him?
Evan: Yes. But I thought you might see him before he saw his phone.
Twenty minutes and two phone calls later, we pulled up to the stadium at Jack’s school. Since Jack was a rising sophomore, I recognized a few of the parents.
I shook hands with a few parents and spoke to some of my neighbors Most were friendly as usual and returned the sentiment. But just like in every crowd, there were a few that had that look of judgment and disgust on their faces, and Thomas picked up on it quickly. It had nothing to do with politics and everything to do with my new relationship status. They could think whatever they liked about me as long as they left my kids out of it.
Walking through the gate, I could see the field in the distance through the trees. The team appeared to be going through warm-ups, and by the crowd here, you would think it was a regular game.
Thomas and I made our way inside and took a seat in the back row. I spotted Jack on the field, wearing number eighty-four. I smiled and wondered if Evan knew Jack was wearing his number.
I was taking photos of Jack when Thomas stood up and shook hands with someone. He stepped to the side, and the man sat down.
My heart started pounding and it was all I could do to contain myself. I didn’t have to look, because I could smell him. And I recognized that sexy chuckle since I heard it in my ear every night.
Evan leaned in and kissed my cheek. “Hey, governor. Mind if I sit here?”
I looked into the blue eyes I’d missed and could not wipe the smile from my face. “What are you doing here? I thought you had practice.”
He shrugged and took my hand in his. “Coach gave us an extra day since he wants to focus on the rookies. Thought I’d come up and surprise you.”
My head and my heart were brimming with happiness at the sight of him.
“I want to kiss you so badly,” I whispered. “But I’m afraid if I get started, I won’t be able to stop. And being arrested for public indecency isn’t an option.”
Evan’s dimple in his chin popped. “That’s probably a good call.”
Thomas put his hand on my shoulder. “I’ll give you some privacy, but I’ll be back here behind you, governor.”
I nodded and leaned into him. His familiar warmth and the smell of his skin my heart beat faster.
“How long can you stay?”
“Three days. I have practice on Monday.”
I wanted to cry as those goddamn sappy emotions took over. Thankfully, tryouts started and distracted me.
Evan kept a rolling commentary going until Jack lined up beside one of the other receivers. He took off down the sideline, then cut toward the middle. He caught the ball, just like Evan had shown him, and ran it into the end zone.
“Yes!” Evan yelled, getting to his feet. He let out an ear-piercing whistle that startled me.
Reaching up, I grabbed him by the belt loop on his jeans to urge him down.
“He’s gonna kill you for that,” I muttered.
Evan just laughed. “Nah, he won’t. He’s the only kid here with a starting tight end as a personal coach. He’ll be fine with it.”
Smiling, I watched him as he watched Jack.
And when we got home, I’d show him how much I missed him.