Chapter Fourteen
Chris
“Now that we’re done, what do you want to do?” I asked Hudson, throwing the last of Luke’s dog shit into the trashcan.
I left work an hour early today because my parents and Savannah headed back home. It was the end of the week, and I doubted anyone at work even missed me. While I got along with every employee at the branch, no one misses the boss when they leave.
Everyone cried when we said our goodbyes. The empty feeling of being without my family hit harder than when I left to come to Love Beach. While I wished I could have stayed and continued working, being home for Hudson meant more to me than money. Hudson and I were lumps on a log. It took an hour to get Hudson into a happier spirit. Playing with Luke in the backyard took both our minds off of missing my parents and Sav.
“Can we go to the park?” he asked, one hand resting on Luke’s head.
“The park?” I asked.
“For Emily and the dogs.”
As if in complete understanding, Luke cocked his head. Two pairs of big, brown eyes looked at me. “She’s not at the park right now, buddy. But we can go to the class tomorrow if you want.”
“Okay!” He moved his hand over Luke’s head the same way I used to rub his back when he was fussy.
“Do you think Luke likes it here?” I asked.
“Oh yeah. The yard’s really big. So is the pool.”
“And what about you, Hudson? Do you like your new room?”
“Yep. I really like the bed.”
“I’m glad.”
“Are Emily and Moose and . . . what’s the other one’s name?”
“Rufus.”
“Are Emily, Moose, and Rufus coming on a walk with us?”
“Do you want them to?”
“Luke likes to play with them, so yeah.”
“I can call and see if they’re available if you want.”
“Okay.”
“Maybe they can come over for dinner later.”
“Yeah!” he exclaimed.
“I’ll make your favorite—chicken bacon ranch pasta. Here.” I handed him Luke’s tennis ball. “Remember the words?”
“Luke, sit.”
“Good job. What’s next?”
I watched my pride and joy show Luke the ball before throwing it as far as he could. “Get the ball, Luke!” he yelled.
“Hudson, did you set the table?” I asked, noting the time.
“Yeah.”
“Yes,” I corrected, focused on sharpening his manners.
“Yes.”
I winked, tousling his hair.
“Dad!” he scolded. “Now I have to brush it all over again.”
I chuckled as he ran to his bathroom with Luke quick on his heels. “Don’t forget to wash your hands for dinner,” I yelled after them.
My mind automatically went to Kayla. I chuckled, remembering how she would tell me the same thing before I fed Hudson as a baby. Moments like this filled me with sadness and made me miss the life I thought I would have with her. A quick jolt of remorse hit me because I was happy Emily was joining us tonight.
Since everything was in order, I cracked open a beer and sat at the counter. It made no sense to feel anxious, but I did. It would be our first time being alone with Hudson. I’d never introduced Hudson to anyone before. In fact, I’d never dated anyone long enough to actually want to introduce them to him.
With Emily, everything was different.
We’d already spent a lot of time together before Hudson came home. It wasn’t just the sex that I enjoyed, although I quite enjoyed that part—a lot. When it was just the two of us, everything was great. Even spending time with my family last week had been a breeze. But now that we didn’t have a buffer, I wondered how things would feel.
My parents and Sav offered to stay and watch Hudson. It was a blessing because I was nervous about his transition to Love Beach. Since I had to work during the day, they were able to take him out and show him around town.
Every night after work, Hudson told me about his adventures that day. He’d been to the various dog parks, the beach, the toy store, the mall, the bookstore, and almost every restaurant in the area. They also got him signed up with the local soccer team for the upcoming season.
By the time we said goodbye to Grandma, Grandpa, and Aunt Sav, I was certain I made the right choice in relocating. Traveling took too much time away from Hudson. Now, I would work Monday through Friday while he was at school, and I’d be home every night to have dinner and tuck him into bed.
When the knock sounded at the door, my heart jumpstarted. Again, with the nerves.
Two lolling tongues and a bright, beaming smile greeted me when I opened the door.
“Something smells good,” Emily said.
On cue, Moose and Rufus sniffed the air.
“Chicken bacon ranch pasta,” I said, kissing her cheek as they entered.
“The boys are going to be so jealous.”
Hudson and Luke skittered over to us. “Hi, Emily,” he said before I had to remind him about how we greet our guests.
“Hi, Hudson. How was your day?”
“Good.” He patted Rufus and Moose on the head. “I was with Grandma and Grandpa, and Aunt Sav until they left. Now it’s just me and Dad.”
“And Luke,” I said.
“What did you guys do today?” she asked, instinctively focusing on the positive.
“We made pancakes for breakfast and went swimming.”
“That sounds like fun. Did Luke go swimming, too?”
“No.” He rested his hand on Luke’s head.
“Moose and Rufus love going in the pool.”
“They do?”
“Oh, yeah. Even at the beach, if I throw a ball, they’ll go chasing after it.”
“Can we take Luke in the pool, Dad?” His big, brown eyes shot straight through my heart.
“If Emily helps,” I answered.
Her eyes met mine for just a moment before she shrugged. “It would be my pleasure, Hudson.”
“Cool!”
The microwave timer went off.
“All right, guys. Hudson, why don’t you and Emily have a seat, and I’ll bring everything over.”
“We have to wash our hands, Dad.”
“You just washed them.”
“But you said we need to wash our hands after we played with the dog.”
“Let’s give them a treat. Then we can wash our hands,” Emily said, handing Hudson three treats.
“Thank you for a delicious dinner,” Emily said, standing at the door.
“Thanks for eating all of your broccoli first.”
She chuckled and said, “Hey, veggies are important for a balanced diet.”
“If I didn’t force Hudson to eat them, he wouldn’t.”
“I was the same way when I was his age. He’ll grow out of it.”
“I hope so.”
“Just keep doing what you’re doing. And don’t forget the butter.”
I barked a laugh. “Right. Butter makes everything better.”
“I make a delicious chicken and broccoli casserole. Lots of broccoli and butter.”
“Do you now?”
“Mm-hm.”
“Is that an invitation?” I secured her around the waist.
“Mm-hm.” She clutched onto me, a different kind of hunger shining in her eyes.
I lowered my head slowly, capturing her mouth in a greedy kiss. All night, we’d played the part of responsible adults. With a few minutes to ourselves, while Hudson changed into his pajamas and brushed his teeth, all restraint flew out the window.
“I wish you could stay the night,” I said, ravishing her mouth.
“Me too,” she whispered.
The sound of Hudson’s bathroom door opening ripped us apart.
We stood like two guilty teenagers, ensuring there was enough space between us that nothing appeared suspect.
“I like your pjs,” she said to Hudson.
“It’s Luke.” He pulled at his shirt for reference. “From Star Wars,” he added for clarification.
“I hear you’re a big fan.”
“Yeah. Yes,” he amended, looking at me. I gave him a thumbs-up. “Me and Dad love Star Wars.”
“Yes, we do.” I cupped his chin. “Let me see your teeth.” He grinned and then blew his breath, proving he brushed his teeth. “Good job.”
“Well,” Emily said. “We better be going. Moose, Rufus,” she called.
Luke bounded over with his pals to say goodbye.
“What do we tell our guests when they leave?” I asked Hudson.
“Thank you for coming over for dinner.”
“Thank you for inviting us,” she said.
Of all the times I said goodbye to Emily, this had to be the most awkward. Usually, I’d kiss her, but with Hudson here, that wouldn’t send the right example.
She felt it too.
“Text me when you get home.”
“It’s a couple blocks away.”
“Still,” I said. “Text me so I know you’re home safe.”
“Will do.”
I gave her a quick hug and whispered, “I’ll give you an extra kiss next time.”
She kept her laugh inside.
“Thank you again, gentlemen,” she said, opening the front door.
“Wait,” Hudson said.
Emily was caught off guard as much as I was when Luke hugged her. “Goodnight,” he said, releasing her. Then he patted Moose and Rufus’s heads.
She touched her heart and smiled at me.
It wasn’t just her heart that melted from the moment.
“Text me,” I said as her feet hit the driveway. I smiled at Hudson and called, “And don’t forget to brush your teeth!”
Hudson giggled, and Emily laughed, throwing her hand in the air to wave goodbye one last time.