Chapter 23
PIPER
Ithrow another bar of chocolate into our shopping basket while April appears with two bottles of wine in hand. I give her a skeptical look.
“You know what I love about the Lake Spark general store? It’s like a grocery store from the city, with an abundance of quality wine choices.
I don’t think there is one single bottle of crap wine on the shelf here.
And I can’t decide if it’s a rosé or straight-up white wine kind of night.
Are you sure you don’t want any vino right now? ” she double-checks.
I shake my head and confidently offer her the basket. “I need a clear mind.”
At the spa it took a solid few minutes to convince April that I’m not pregnant, even when I explained that I really just want to be able to think clearly this weekend and was feeling the effects of the massage.
I convinced April to ditch her night at the inn and stay at Hudson’s since he’s away anyways.
He texted that he would call when he was done with team meetings because he saw the video of us online, to which his response was, “Damn it, should have had my hand on your ass for the extra wow factor.”
We turn down the next aisle and nearly run into Spencer, Hudson’s neighbor. “Oh, hey there, ladies,” he greets us, and I notice immediately how his eyes land on a glaring April.
“Hey!” I look between them then brush past it. “I was hoping to run into you, as I think you’ve been collecting the packages of materials I had delivered, and you left them by the back door. I wanted to thank you.”
“Yep. That’s me.”
“He’s a real saint, I’m sure.” April’s tone is pure snark.
This is one weird vibe happening. “So, uhm, I guess you’re around more now that baseball season is over?” I attempt to make conversation.
Spencer turns his attention to me. “I am. Just give me a shout if you need something. Hudson texted to let me know you would be around more and then mentioned something about the pine tree or some shit like that.”
“Yeah, he has this annoying tree.” Silence fills our bubble, and I’m not entirely sure April or Spencer realize I’m still here, but they both look like they may kill one another. “Right. So April and I should probably head back to the house. Beat the weekend fox rush on the road, you know.”
Silence.
I grab April’s arm. “Okay, bye.”
“Bye, ladies!” Spencer calls out.
April and I approach the register, and I let her arm go and look straight at her. “Explain.”
“He’s an asshole. I met him once when my uncle had a BBQ, and he was at my cousin Drew’s wedding. Every time he talks, I want to bang my head against a wall. He just constantly brags about his success.” She pretends to gag.
“Well, he’s nice enough to me.”
“Lucky you.”
I shake my head and focus on our turn at the register.
A few minutes later, we’re back outside and ready to load my car, but I stop when I notice the for sale sign on the empty store for the second time today, a reminder of my crazy thought.
April looks in the direction of my sight. “You’re really considering it, aren’t you?”
I smile and shrug it off shyly. “Nah, it’s crazy.”
“Is it, though? Your living room became your warehouse, so I guess if you were looking to move away from the city then this is a sign.”
“Real estate isn’t that cheap here.”
April’s eyes grow big. “You have some money saved, a growing business, a rich grandmother, and an even richer boyfriend. You’re good.”
I laugh at her absurdity and get into the car. Yet the image of the for sale sign doesn’t leave my mind on the way to the house.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, I hold my phone up as Hudson graces the screen.
“You’re lying in bed, aren’t you?” I flash my eyes at him.
“I am. I’m a little beat.”
My lips quirk. “You’ll get a good night of sleep and annihilate those Cougars tomorrow.”
“Would be a better night of sleep if you were here.”
“Ah, don’t go soft on me, Coach.” I lean back on the bed, and to tease him, move my shirt slightly off my shoulder. “Besides, I need to behave because your plan worked and now April and I are having a night in with snacks and movies.”
Hudson smiles proudly. “I’m a smart man.”
“You’re annoying,” I joke. “You make things happen.”
“I do have talents,” he quips. “So, about that video. Smith’s wife apologized and also asked the engagements coordinator for your number to send an apology.
She didn’t realize her error. But really, it’s no big deal, right?
I mean, now we don’t have to spend ten minutes trying to figure out if our coffee mugs have the right light for a photo. ”
I laugh. “True that. It’s not a big deal. I mean, we knew it was coming, she just put us a little ahead of schedule.” We were going to post something after the next home game.
“I got questioned during press rounds this afternoon, so you may want to watch that.”
“Ooh, now I’m curious.”
He throws an arm behind his head. “You’ll be at the next home game, right?”
“Oh.” I bite my bottom lip because I feel a pool of doubt in my belly.
Fears resurface of people’s opinions and uncertainty over whether I’m moving too fast. “I’m not completely sure,” I admit.
The comments I saw on the latest article seemed to emphasize that I’m a trophy.
Never mind the fact that I run a successful business, I’m now a glorified doll.
“What do you mean?” I hear disappointment in his voice.
“It’s a lot of press, and I’m not entirely sure I feel up to it energy-wise.”
Now he looks at me, confused. “What does that mean?”
“My mind is a little overloaded right now, and I haven’t slept so great. Can I see how I feel at the end of the week?” I say it before even thinking it over.
But Hudson’s disapproval is apparent on his face.
“Piper… I’m going a little crazy on the merry-go-round of hot-cold-hot.
I need to know that you’re on board with this life.
I can’t make it disappear. So yes, being with me means you are probably going to have to get out of your comfort zone more than you are accustomed, because I want to be with someone who wants to be at my games and there for me, not dragged along. ”
I hold my hand up. “I don’t think we should talk about this now. You’re tired, and April is downstairs.”
“No, we’re not going to talk about this now. In fact, I don’t want to talk about it until you’ve thought this all through and have made a decision that you’re comfortable with. As much as I love you, you’re bringing out an uneasiness that I haven’t felt in years.”
Shit. I’m ruining this, but he’s right, and I need to clarify my standpoint and thoughts before we discuss it further.
“You’re right,” is all I can say.
And just like that, we have our first fight.
I throw the remote for the fireplace to the side and look at April who is studying me intently while she pours herself a glass of wine at the coffee table in Hudson’s living room.
“It’s kind of weird seeing you in this habitat. It’s like you are the lady of the house.”
I snort a laugh. “What in the world does that mean?”
She takes a sip of her wine. “You know where everything is, walk around like it’s your home, and seem calm here. I’m going to assume most of your romantic rendezvous with my uncle took place here, so that explains it, I guess.”
My jaw flexes side to side. “Your thought process might be on point. And yes, I feel at home here, whether Hudson’s here or not.”
“That’s a big deal.”
I shrug it off and instead glance at the television that is mounted on the wall and that we put on pause. “Is it bad if I watch it again?”
April smiles at me. “Kind of sickly cute.”
I press the rewind button, with guilt plaguing me.
Pressing play, Hudson appears on the screen in the clip that he mentioned from earlier.
It’s the sports channel that I’ve gotten used to watching in recent months.
I know they always have media following the team around while in season and today one of the reporters stopped Hudson after practice.
On the screen, Hudson is in jeans and a long-sleeved shirt with the team logo.
He folds his arms as he listens to the man with the mic ask a question.
“Everyone is counting on a win this week, but the Cougars have a strong defense from what we’ve seen this season.
How are you feeling about tomorrow’s away game? ”
Hudson’s face remains stoic, with a hint of cocky confidence twisting on the corner of his mouth.
“My guys have been practicing hard and continue to study the plays, whether we need to have a strong offense or defense tomorrow. We also have a lot of new blood on the team this year, and I’m confident that they will bring some fresh energy to the game to support some of the best returning players in the industry that have come back this year. ”
“Would you say you’re not going to lose sleep tonight about tomorrow’s game?” The man with the mic returns the device to Hudson so he can speak.
“Nah. Only coaches who don’t have confidence in their guys lose sleep.”
The commentator laughs. “Fair enough. There is also a rumor, thanks to a recent video, that you’re now sharing your life with someone off the field. Care to comment?”
Hudson’s grin is now uncontrollable, yet it’s so incredibly suave. “My personal life has no effect on tomorrow’s game, but it’s true that I can now say life is better when you know there’s someone waiting for you after a winning game, and I’m lucky that it’s Piper.”
“Will she be at your home game next week?”
“Whether Piper is there or not, I’m sure she’ll be wearing a Winds shirt wherever she is.” Hudson looks at the camera, and I swear every woman in America may just melt from that glint in his eye that feels like a secret message only for me, yet the female population’s minds may be running wild.
I turn the television off, and I know I have a silly look on my face.
“Geez, no pressure or anything. My uncle really knows how to lay it on thick, right?”
Rolling my eyes, I sigh. “A tad. He likes to get what he wants, I guess. It’s kind of endearing, and I’m maybe an idiot for thinking that.”
“Nah, he takes care of you. Maybe now I can go to games with you and we can find me a hot sports guy. Before Hudson would never introduce me to anyone, but maybe you can soften his stance for me. I mean, you did draw me a wedding dress that I’ll need to use one day.
” April crosses her legs, with her feet resting on the sofa.
I’m kind of surprised she brought up the dress. “I’ll keep the design for you.”
“Can I look at it?”
My eyes narrow. “Is that a good idea?” I ask, doubtful.
She sighs. “It’s fine.”
It takes a second before I search on my phone for the folder with the design. I debate if I’m only fueling April’s misery, but she seems content with her request. Handing her my phone, I watch her study the screen.
“Boho chic, fitted yet comfortable, even has hidden pockets,” I list. “I went for floor length, and the elements of lace are more traditional.”
“It’s beautiful.” She sounds wistful.
“Thanks. It’s not my forte, but the inspiration was there.”
April hands me my phone and a knowing smirk forms. “I would have loved to have this dress, but you know… this is more your dress than mine.”
“What?”
April nods her head. “That’s right. You designed your own wedding dress.”
I scoff at her thought. “No, I didn’t.”
Her facial expression turns goofy. “Uhm, yes, you did. Where did you get the inspiration for traditional lace?”
“My grandmother’s dress.” The S slurs. “Oh.”
April laughs. “I remember you once told me when we were at your grandmother’s for dinner that you would want to use some of the lace from her dress on your own wedding dress one day.”
“And?”
April sets her wine glass back on the coffee table.
“The dress. Your housewife skills. The boutique that caught your eye in Lake Spark for your future shop. Sounds to me like you’ve been setting all the puzzle pieces in place to make a life with someone.
You did that because you found the right someone, and your heart knew it before your head. ”
“That’s some theory.” But the realization hits me like a ton of bricks, and I feel emotions running through me but in a way that is pure elation. “He is kind of angry at me right now because I keep taking a step forward, then step back. He wants me at his game, and I said maybe.”
Her expression turns pained. “Yeah… probably not a smooth move on your part. He’s never had a woman at a game, and now he’s asked you. It’s a big deal because he’s laser-focused during a game.”
“Even more reason for me to be slightly scared. People will have their eyes on me because it’s unusual for Hudson.”
“It’s not about you. No offence, but as your newly reunited friend then I’m going to highlight that you’re being a fool. The only opinion you should care about is the one you and my uncle have of each other. You know that too.”
I run through my history in my head and know she has a solid point. The hesitation I have is unlike me because I’ve grown into a confident woman over the years.
“I know it’s crazy, but I love him, and even though we are newish, I feel it in my bones that we are right. Maybe I thought it was lust and it would fade, but it’s like we’ve been slowly building something profound together. It’s just happening already.”
“You two happened faster than some, but that’s all the more reason why you maybe didn’t realize it until now, when your extremely smart friend highlighted her brilliant ideas.” She brings her hand to her heart with pride.
A smile tugs on my lips. “I probably should get it together, huh?”
April tips her wine glass to my direction. “Yep.” She pops the P.
The next morning, I’m sitting outside and watching the sunrise with a mug of coffee in hand. I pull my knees up on the chair and one hand wraps my sweater tighter around my body.
There are exactly two things that I need to figure out before I talk to Hudson. It was during the night that I realized what those two things are. It may take a few days, but maybe the space will be good for us. We’ve been on a rollercoaster the last few months anyhow.