37. Hudson
Chapter 37
Hudson
We kept Evan’s arrival a secret just in case he wasn’t able to make it. He didn’t want to disappoint Jack, so he waited until we arrived to slip into the locker room to say hello.
My son’s performance was his best yet. This was the fifth game of the season for him, but the first one Evan could attend. He’d seen parts of Jack’s games over video call, but this was the first time his schedule aligned with ours.
Evan watched every play intently, and I knew we’d be making time for a coaching session in the backyard the following day. My son would want a full evaluation of his gameplay, and Evan loved coaching him.
Maybe that was what he needed to do after football.
As we stood shoulder to shoulder along the wall outside of the locker room, Evan leaned over and spoke softly.
“When he comes out of the locker room, be cool, okay?”
Be cool? My brow furrowed as I turned to look at him. “I’m always cool. Cool is my middle name.”
Evan barked out a laugh. I loved that sound.
“What’s going on?”
He swung his big arm over my shoulder and kissed my temple. I forgot where we were and kissed him back.
But on the lips.
In public.
Evan grinned down at me. “Nothing, Mr. Cool. Just… don’t act surprised when you see them.”
Them. Them?
Before I could ask a million more probing questions, Evan bit his bottom lip. He cut his eyes toward the locker room door, then tilted his head.
I followed his gaze to find my son exiting the locker room with one of his teammates. He smiled up at the big kid, who was a couple of inches taller than him.
My heart swelled to see his mother’s smile and the way he looked at his friend.
And then it dawned on me.
Evan chuckled, drawing my attention. “Took you long enough, Mr. Cool.”
I didn’t have time to respond to my smartass boyfriend before my son stopped in front of us. I put on my proud father’s smile and looked at him.
“You played great tonight, kiddo. I’m so proud of you.”
I reached out to hug him, and much to my surprise, he let me.
“Thanks, Dad,” he said, pulling back.
Hug over.
Jack looked at his friend, then back at me. “This is Dashielle Benjamin. He plays center. Dash, this is my dad, Hudson, and you met Evan.”
I was momentarily stunned as the pieces of so many little puzzles fell into place. But Evan wasn’t. Maybe he was right. I wasn’t as cool as I thought.
“Hey Dash,” he said, extending his hand. “Nice to meet you.”
Jack looked at me with wide eyes that quickly snapped me out of my stupor. I extended my hand and smiled. “Nice to meet you, Dashielle. That’s a great name.”
“Thank you, sir,” he replied in a British accent. “I’m from the UK,” he said. “But my dad is from California. We just moved back here this summer.”
I smiled and nodded. “Well, on behalf of the state of California, welcome. We’re glad you’re here.”
Jack groaned, making Evan laugh.
“Thank you, sir. Please call me Dash,” he said with a bright smile.
Evan looked him over. “Do you play rugby?”
He nodded quickly. “Yes, sir. That’s why I’m playing football here. I miss it.”
“We have a former rugby star on our team. Ever heard of Jayse Flannery?”
“Yes! He’s a hooker!”
Evan burst out laughing, and the kid blushed. “I’m sorry. Different meaning here.”
“Dad,” Jack said, quickly changing the conversation. “We’re going to hang out at Dash’s house if that’s okay with you.”
I nodded. “Yeah, that’s fine. Are your parents here? I’d love to meet them.”
Dash looked at Jack, then back at me.
“They’ve already gone home for the evening. Dad has an early flight out. I can give you my Mum’s number if you like, Governor.”
Jack looked at me pleadingly not to embarrass him. But Evan took over.
“That would be great,” Evan replied to him. “It’s the governor thing. He has to bring security to my house every time they come to San Diego. It’s a fact of life with these guys.”
Dashielle nodded. “Yes, sir. I understand.” He rattled off his address as Evan put it into his phone.
I looked at my watch. “It’s nine. We’ll pick you up at eleven.”
“Midnight?” Jack asked. “We’re gonna play video games and get pizza.”
I looked at Evan, who just smiled.
“Okay. But if Dash’s parents need you to leave earlier, you call. We’re going to San Fran tomorrow with Evan, so no later.”
Jack nodded. “Yeah, okay. Midnight.”
Dashielle held out his hand. “Nice to meet you, Governor. And you too, Mr. Ellis.”
“Nice to meet you, Dash,” I replied.
We watched as the boys turned and walked back toward the locker room. My son was happy. He’d let me hug him in public.
“That’s his boyfriend, isn’t it?” I asked Evan.
He swung his arm over my shoulders. “Yep.”
“God, I hope he’s safe.”
Evan hugged me closer. “He is. I already asked Thomas to check it out. His father is a pilot for British Airways, and his mother was a teacher in London. He’s in good hands.”
I turned and looked at him. “You knew about them?”
“Yeah. I hope you aren’t upset that I didn’t tell you.”
I huffed out a laugh. “No. Ordinarily, I’d be concerned that he didn’t confide in me, but I’m glad he can talk to you.”
Turning to look at him, I knew what I wanted to do at the end of my term. And I couldn’t wait to share it with him when the time was right.
“Let’s go home, babe,” he said, taking my hand.
The next morning, we woke up early and had coffee before the kids got up. We were in the middle of the second cup when my phone rang.
Looking down at the screen, my gut clenched to see Collin’s name on the screen.
Evan looked down at my phone. “Are you going to answer that?”
Breathing out a weighted sigh, I nodded and accepted the call. I put it on speakerphone so Evan could hear. He needed to hear it for himself.
“Good morning, Collin. How are you?”
“Good morning, Hudson. I hope I’m not calling too early.”
“No, not at all. I’m on my second cup of coffee.”
I kept my eyes on Evan as he reached across the table and took my hand.
“Good, good. I’m going to cut right to the point, Hudson. You’ve been cleared for a cabinet position, and even though you said you weren’t interested, I want to offer you a position to consider.”
My pulse ticked up as Evan gave me a big smile and raised his brows.
“Okay, Collin. What are you thinking?”
“Secretary of Agriculture. I’ve seen what you’ve been doing in California, and I need someone with experience to head up the USDA. Someone who cares about nutrition security and improving food quality for all Americans. Someone who is passionate about helping us hold big corporations’ feet to the fire for stripping the nutrients out of our food supply. A litigator who won’t hesitate to work with the DOJ and bring lawsuits. Someone who can work with legislators to change regulations.”
He knew where to hit me hard.
“I need you, Hudson. The country needs you.”
I rubbed my hand over my face and tried not to lose my coffee. Evan squeezed my hand and smiled. I knew he’d support my decision whatever I decided to do. That’s who he was.
“Are you interested, Hudson?”
I laughed humorlessly. “You’re an asshole, Collin. And I say that with the utmost respect.”
The Democratic nominee laughed. “I know, and I’m sorry for hitting below the belt. All I’m asking is that you consider it. I see no reason you couldn’t work from California. Maybe come to DC once a month.”
I slipped my hand from Evan’s and scrubbed them over my face. I was hot all over and my stomach churned.
“Think about it, Hudson. Talk to your football player and see if it would work for you. We’ve known each other for a long time, and we both know this is perfect for you. You could help a lot of people.”
I nodded. “Thanks, Collin. I’ll think about it, but I’m not making any promises.”
“Good enough,” he said gleefully. “You let me know what you decide. Say by the first Wednesday in November?”
Locking my gaze on Evan, I nodded. “I’ll be in touch. One way or the other.”
“Okay. Talk soon. Have a good weekend.”
“You too,” I said, ending the call.
I sat back in my chair and looked at the ceiling as the coffee in my stomach turned to acid.
Evan sat patiently, waiting for me to process all the information. When I finally looked at him, his expression still hadn’t changed. Undying support.
“I hate him,” I muttered like a teenager.
He smiled. “No, you don’t. You hate the conflict.”
I shrugged. “Probably.”
Scrubbing my hands over my face, I needed to think about something else.
“Want pancakes?”
I moved to get up, but Evan caught me by the hand.
“I meant what I said last night. Whatever you want or need to do, I’ll make it work.”
“I’d never ask you to leave your team, Evan. You love those guys.”
He smiled. “I do, but I love you more.”
My eyes filled with moisture as I stared at him.
“Let me ask you something. Would the job make you happy? Don’t think. Just answer.”
“Yes,” I whispered, feeling guilty.
“Then you should consider it. He said you could work from California, so what’s stopping you from taking it?”
I stared at him. “It’s going to take up a lot of time I don’t have. Jack has three more years of high school, and Erin hasn’t even started yet. I can’t ask my parents to give up more of their life to take care of my children.”
Evan reached for my hands. “It’s okay, Hudson. What if I could help? Would you consider it then?”
“How? Your schedule is worse than mine, and we’ve seen each other seven days in the last two months.”
“I know. But what if you and the kids moved in with me in San Diego? I’m only gone on the weekends, and my mother is there. So is Nana. Between the four of us, we can take care of them, and you get your dream job.”
I just stared at him. “What do you get in all this?”
He smiled and held out his hands for mine. “I get you. And two kids I adore. I get a house that will feel like a home, and I get to be with you a hell of a lot more than I am now.”
“You make it sound so easy, Evan.”
He smiled and brought my hands up to his mouth. Kissing them, he nodded. “It would be a lot easier than this. But there is one thing I’d need from you to make sure this all works.”
I took a deep breath and continued to stare.
“What’s that?”
He looked into my eyes, “I’d need you to marry me, Governor.”
I stilled, and then my body relaxed. I leaned closer until we were face to face across the table.
“Are you asking me to marry you, Superstar?”
“Not asking,” I grinned, “I’m telling you I’m going to marry you. Whether or not you take the job, I want you here with me until we’re old men going into the assisted living facility. I want to raise those kids with you and have grandchildren visit our beach house. Just be my husband. You’re mine, and I’m yours. And no matter what, we’ll make this work.”
Sighing, my body relaxed a little more. Even though I didn’t answer, he knew I was thinking about it.