37. Lacy
37
LACY
I rush into the diner, my Saturday morning blood donation all done. It's been a week since New York, and aside from seeing Hudson most days, my life has gone back to being somewhat normal. Hudson and I flew back in his private jet and then both hit the ground running with work. Now as I get back into my routine, we decided to meet here for the weekly sundae together, my mom resting and getting ready for a big week as her first transfusion nears.
“The boys are already here waiting for you,” Rochelle says to me the minute I walk in, and I hold my breath and glance around. In the far corner of the room, I spot Hudson and Harvey sitting in a booth, both looking at me expectantly. My smile grows as my shoulders relax, just being around them.
The looks Hudson and I are getting are less and less as the locals are now so used to seeing us together. That, plus our mothers have been settling the rumor mill for us, knowing that I hate being the topic of conversation in this town. Even though it has been happening for most of my life.
“Thanks, Rochelle.” I offer her a smile, and her cheeky wink makes me laugh.
“I’ve missed that laugh, darlin’. It’s good to hear it again,” she says before walking off and refilling the coffees for patrons nearby. I swallow, thinking of her words. These past weeks with Hudson have been like I am walking on air. He calls me and checks in with me every day, and when I get his sweet text messages, I can’t stop smiling. I feel so much different, so much better, more like a version of me I want to be since he came into my life. My to-do list is full but not as long because we now have Jennifer, and work is still busy but even more exciting because I love working on our new projects. I don’t feel as wound tight anymore, and I like that I have someone else to talk to about it all. I’m still on edge, though. Still waiting for something that I know is coming, yet I have no idea what he is going to do next. My nerves are frayed, jumping at noises during the night. The only time I feel safe is when I’m with Hudson.
“Well, if it isn't Miss Perfect walking in to get her weekly ice cream,” Jolene snarks, sitting close by in a booth with her team of gremlins. I didn’t see her at the hospital this morning, so she clearly has the day off.
“Hi, Jolene,” I say, looking at her, then at the gaggle of girls around her. I don’t see these girls much and haven’t spent any time with them since school. But they are here, every Saturday, just like I am, and on occasion seem to like ruffling my feathers.
“I see the new doctor is here with you again. So it must be true,” she says, and the girls next to her giggle, making me frown.
“What’s true?” I have no idea what she thinks she knows, but Hudson and I spending time together is topical. There isn’t much else to chat about around Whispers at the moment, so we are an easy target.
“Oh nothing, just people talk is all.” She’s dangling the carrot in front of me, waiting for me to snatch it. I should ignore her and walk away. That is what I usually do. But I can’t.
“What are they saying?” I bite out, and her smile widens at my clear frustration.
“Rumor is, there’s some fancy doctor coming from the city to see your mom,” she says, and I nod. She’s probably the one spreading the rumor, given she has access to my medical files.
“What of it?” I ask, my frown only deepening because I can tell there’s something more.
“It isn’t news that you can’t afford something like that…”
Her posse sniggers, and I take a breath as my spine stiffens.
“Just spit it out already.” I’m getting sick of her games. We were not friendly in school, and we aren’t friendly now.
“You’re sleeping with the new doctor to get upgraded medical care. At least, that’s what people are saying. You’re paying for your mom’s care with sex,” she says, sitting back and smiling wide, her eyes glistening wickedly as my heart almost splits in two.
“What?” I can barely speak with how my chest tightens. I can’t get enough air in my lungs, and my feet are frozen solid to the ground. I’m unable to move.
“I mean, I never really picked you for a sexual favors kind of girl, Lacy; you were always so frigid at school.” Jolene smirks, and her friends laugh louder. I feel like I’m climbing a mountain, unable to ever reach the top. This is what it was like in school, with these barbs thrown at me almost daily.
I expected gossip. I expected small-town chitchat. But I didn’t expect outright lies. I feel like my body is crumbling underneath me as I look around the diner. Is this what everyone thinks? Is this what they’re all saying about me?
“What’s up, Lacy? Cat got your tongue?” Jolene teases again, relishing my clear distress. Palms sweaty, my heart races, my mouth going dry.
My eyes flick to the back of the diner, and I see Harvey and Hudson both waiting for me. Hudson frowns, his eyes flicking from me to the booth of women and back again, clearly aware that something isn’t right. My spine straightens, and I take in a breath. I know the truth, as does he, and at seeing him, newfound confidence runs through my shoulders and pulls them back to hold my head high. I clear my throat and look back at Jolene.
“It’s all getting a bit old, isn’t it, Jolene?” I ask with narrowed eyes. How the hell does she work at the hospital with this kind of attitude?
“What is?” She smirks, like she has the upper hand.
“This pick-on-Lacy attitude you’ve got. Seriously, you’ve been doing it since fifth grade. I think it’s time you move on, get a new hobby. This infatuation you have with me is getting kinda embarrassing for you.” I look her up and down. Her face turns red, not used to me talking back, and I walk away without another word, not giving her a chance to respond. My knees feel wobbly, but for the first time in a long time, I don’t care anymore. I don’t care what she thinks or what she says. It’s almost like a heavy weight has lifted.
“Hey, you two,” I say with a smile, walking up to the booth where Hudson and Harvey sit. My hands are a little jittery, and I’m thankful that I have a bag to hold.
“Hey, baby,” Hudson murmurs, standing. “Everything alright?” His hand automatically cups my waist, pulling me to him as his lips meet my temple. I release a breath I didn’t realize I was holding and melt a little into his hold. Smelling his cologne and feeling his secure touch, my body starts to calm. As I look around, everyone in the diner is looking at us. Rochelle eyes me from behind the counter with a smile on her face, and Bob from the hardware store grins over his coffee mug. Everyone looks happy to see me happy, and for once, I appreciate it.
“Don’t worry about all the eyes… They’re going to talk no matter what we do or don’t do,” he whispers in my ear, his thumb brushing across my back.
“I know,” I grumble like a sulking teenager, and he laughs.
“Brat,” he says, pinching my skin at my waist playfully, and I laugh, feeling light for the first time in a long while. I realize it’s him. He’s given me confidence to face this. All the counseling I’ve done, all the talks with Mom or Victoria, they’ve all been great, but it’s Hudson who’s been able to break down a wall I didn’t think was possible. His time, his words, his attention and affection have instilled a new confidence in me that I knew I always had, but had buried, too busy and too exhausted to bring out before. I was already smitten, and I realize I’m falling hard for this man.
“Hey, Lacy!” Harvey says loudly, his excitement clear, jolting me from my thoughts.
“Hi, Harvey.” I give him a bright smile as I slide into the booth opposite them.
“What’s that?” Harvey spots the bag in my hands, sitting up a little, as the red logo of Tony’s Toy World on it gives it away.
“Oh, something I just picked up. Want to see?” I ask, hoping I have done the right thing. My eyes flick to Hudson, who looks confused. Perhaps I should have asked him first. I have never been in this situation before to know if I am overstepping. I bite my bottom lip, not so confident in my choices this morning.
“Been shopping?” Hudson asks, his eyebrows high, and I take a breath.
“It’s something I thought perhaps we could do together,” I say, looking at them both as I put the bag on the table and slide out the box.
“It’s the model airplane I wanted!” Harvey yells, jumping up immediately and grabbing the box in his hands. Everyone in the diner looks our way again. I knew he would be excited, but shit, I should have expected this enthusiastic of a reaction. I smile back at them, ignoring Jolene and her posse and focusing on the people who matter .
“You didn’t have to do that,” Hudson tells me quietly, holding my hand on the table and giving it a squeeze
“I wanted to. I know Harvey loves planes.” I shrug. I should have spent the money on getting Mom a new blanket for her knees or maybe on the screen door, but instead I went to Tony’s Toy World and picked up the plane, knowing how much it would mean to Harvey. I can get the new blanket for Mom next week and the screen door will be fine until next month.
“Can we do it? Can you come over tonight and we can do it together?” Harvey says, his eyes wide, face still plastered with surprise and shock.
“Oh, I…” I start to say, because while I thought we could do it together, I hadn’t planned on it being tonight. My eyes flick to Hudson to gauge his reaction. I should have probably asked him before I brought his son something. I’m not totally sure of the rules around this kind of thing. I think it’s a nice gesture, but many parents may feel differently. But his smile is warm, the love in his eyes that he has for his son obvious, and when he flicks his gaze my way, it doesn’t falter.
“Come over tonight. Let me cook you dinner?” Hudson offers, and I take a deep breath. I’m trying to balance all my responsibilities, but the guilt I’m feeling for leaving Mom at any time is eating me inside.
“Please, Lacy? Pleeeaasssee,” Harvey says, bouncing in his seat, and I laugh lightly. I have no idea how I’m meant to turn him down, let alone his handsome father, whose eyes haven’t moved from me the entire time I’ve been here.
So I find myself nodding with just as much giddiness. “ Okay. Sounds fun.” I take a deep breath and quickly run through my mental to-do list. I know Mom will be fine to spend tonight alone. She has her cell, and I’m not too far away. Jennifer and I have ensured her independence has grown these past few weeks, and I know she likes to have some alone time. She will probably appreciate me being out of the house tonight.
“Great. Let’s get our afternoon treat, and then we can take you home, pack you an overnight bag, and bring you to the ranch,” Hudson says, leaning back, happy that the decision is now made.
“I got your usuals,” Rochelle says, sliding up to the table, with one sundae and one brownie, both with extra cream today.
“Thanks, Rochelle, they look delicious.” Hudson gives her a broad smile, and I think I see her blush.
“Anytime, Doc. Looks like a nice gift you got there, little Harvey.”
“Lacy got it for me!” Harvey says excitedly, and I suddenly see spots in my vision. I blink them away as I hold on to the table tightly, feeling a little faint.
“Did she now?” Rochelle says, smiling, and I can tell she is pocketing that information for later. Probably to tell my mother or share it with her friends down at the community center, where she plays a weekly game of bridge. Although I don’t know how much bridge they all play; it’s more like one big gossip session in front of a deck of cards, if you ask me.
“Harvey is very spoiled, and Lacy is very generous,” Hudson says, watching me, before he curls his fingers in mine, still on display on the table. Rochelle notices the move immediately, and her smile widens even more, like we have just given her the best gift.
“Treats are on the house today,” she says, grabbing the menu cards.
“You don’t have to do that.” I frown, confused. Over the years, Rochelle has treated me on the house a few times. Typically, when I have come in super sad after one of Mom’s particularly bad weeks. But today, that isn’t the case.
“Oh, nonsense. It’s nice to see young love blossom. You don’t see a lot of that around here.” Her eyes twinkle, her lips twitching before she steps away.
“She has had one too many coffees today, I think,” I quip, before I let go of Hudson and grab my spoon, the sundae in front of me teasing me. My vision has cleared up, but I’m a little nauseous. Maybe my blood sugar is low.
“So how was this morning?” Hudson asks, eyeing me carefully.
“It was fine. Just like the last time, over pretty quickly.”
“Any dizziness? Fatigue?” he asks in his doctor voice, and I roll my eyes.
“I am fine, Hudson,” I say, grinning as I wave him off. I don’t need him worrying about me. I’m already feeling better as it is, anyway.
“Are you going to eat that cherry?” Hudson asks, one eyebrow rising with a sexy smirk on his lips. I swallow, my eyes flicking to his son, who is completely oblivious to our flirty banter.
“You want to watch?” I ask quietly, my tone laced with a trace of seduction, my eyebrow quirking to meet his in a challenge.
He doesn’t say anything, but he leans back, throws his arm over the back of the booth, and his eyes hook on me as Harvey shovels in his brownie next to us. Hudson’s jaw ticks, and flames heat my insides, my stress from everyone's eyes on us before now all forgotten.
“Put it in your mouth.” His request almost comes out as a demand, and I swallow before I grab the cherry stem, letting the glossy red ball dangle before I place it in my lips and taste it. I suck the juices, dropping it into my mouth, and as I do, I hear a small rumble from the man sitting opposite me, whose eyes are burning into my own.
He waits and watches as my tongue darts around in my mouth, and I swallow the fruit before I grab the stem from my lips, perfectly tied, and place it on my napkin.
“I have a new admiration for cherries,” Hudson murmurs as he sits forward again, grabbing his spoon, our little show for two over.
“They are my favorite,” I tease, smirking.
“And you are mine,” he says quietly as he digs into my sundae, and my stomach flutters at the sincerity in those words. My weekly treat is now one I share with a man I think I am falling in love with.