Chapter 14
CHAPTER 14
Hudson
W e agreed to keep things quiet until Presley cut ties with Evan, but I could sense something else was holding her back. She hadn’t said it, but I knew.
During morning break, I slipped outside behind the woodshop, lighting a cigarette for a quick drag before heading to class. The nicotine settled my nerves. As the second bell rang, I slid into my seat, just in time. Reagan took the spot next to me, her hand immediately landing on my knee. I brushed it off, keeping my gaze straight ahead.
She narrowed her eyes, leaning close. “What’s going on?”
I exhaled slowly. “I can’t do this anymore,” I whispered back.
Her eyes flashed with hurt and confusion. “You promised,” she hissed.
“No. We agreed,” I corrected, keeping my voice low.
Before she could press further, the teacher launched into the lesson. I could feel her cold stare, practically drilling into the side of my head. When the bell rang, she yanked my sleeve before I could stand.
“What the hell, Hudson? You’re just gonna ditch me?” Her tone was sharp, barely contained.
“I’m done playing games, Reagan,” I said, stuffing my notebook into my bag.
She scoffed, her face hardening. “We’re not finished.”
I glanced at her. “Talk to Presley.”
“Why should I? What does she have to do with us?” she snapped, her voice cold and steely.
“You’ll see,” I muttered, brushing past her before she could throw another barb.
The break wasn’t enough. I ducked outside for a few more drags, steeling myself. When I finally made it to the cafeteria, I noticed a commotion near the radiators. Evan had Presley backed into a corner, his hand gripping her sleeve, his face red with anger.
“You little whore! We were on a break!” His voice was a roar that cut through the chatter of the lunchroom.
Red flashed in my vision. My fists clenched as I strode toward them. “Hey!” I shouted. “Get your hands off her.”
Evan shoved her, sending her stumbling backward—right into my arms. I tightened my hold around her waist, steadying her.
Evan’s glare burned as he turned to me, sneering. “And what are you gonna do about it?”
I held my ground, keeping Presley shielded behind me. “What I should’ve done a long time ago.”
He took a step forward, but Doug Vera stepped in, blocking him. Doug, one of the guys on the basketball team, gave me a look. “Let it go, man,” he said under his breath.
Evan sneered, looking between us. “You can have her. That prude’s tighter than a damn snare drum. She won’t put out.”
Presley sucked in a breath, her grip on my arm tightening, but I shot him a mocking grin. “Maybe it’s your delivery, or maybe… it’s your tiny dick.”
Evan’s face went beet red. He lunged, but Doug held him back. Pointing two fingers at me like a gun, he spat, “You’re dead, Evert. This isn’t over. Better watch your back.”
I shrugged, not letting the threat touch me. “Whenever you’re ready, Braddock. Bring it.”
Doug kept a hand on his chest, but I was done. I wrapped an arm around Presley and led her out of the cafeteria. We ducked into the quiet alcove near the art studios. She shivered, her face crumpling as she looked up at me.
“I told him it was over for good,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “He just lost it.”
I cupped her face, brushing away her tears with my thumb. “He’s a piece of trash, Pres. Don’t waste another thought on him.”
She sniffled, wiping her eyes. “It’s October, Hudson. I have to make it through the rest of the year without him.”
“You don’t need him. Skip cheerleading today. Come home with me.”
Her brows furrowed, a slight frown pulling at her lips. “I want to quit, Hudson. All of it.”
I gave her shoulders a reassuring squeeze. “Then do it. Walk away. Spend that time with me.”
“Take me home,” she whispered, a plea in her voice.
I pressed my forehead against hers, closing my eyes for a second. “I’ve got a history test next period. But you can go ahead and wait at my place. Mom’s out in the city for a client meeting. You’ll have the whole place to yourself. Take a nap in my bed. Wait for me there.”
She managed a weak smile. “Can I wear your sweatshirt?”
“Anything you want,” I murmured, tracing my thumb along her jawline.
Her eyes sparkled with mischief. “Anything?”
I chuckled, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “Within reason. Now go. That security guard usually hangs around the soccer field for a secret smoke right about now. You should be able to slip out without a problem.”
She bit her lip, nodding. “I’ll go.”
As she turned to leave, I grabbed her hand, slipping a folded note into her palm.
She looked down, surprised. “What’s this?”
I winked. “Read it when you get to my place. Now, hurry.”
She gave me one last look, then walked down the hallway, her steps soft and determined. I watched until she disappeared around the corner, fighting the urge to follow, even though I knew she’d be safe.
All that mattered now was keeping her there, waiting for me, where she belonged.
As I slipped back into the cafeteria, Reagan’s glare locked onto me from across the room. She pushed through the crowd, eyes sharp, clearly seething.
“I want to talk to you,” she demanded, crossing her arms.
I slung my backpack over my shoulder, more than ready to get out of this tension-filled room. Evan was lounging in the corner, soaking up the attention and throwing me a smug look, as if daring me to respond. I ignored him. “It’s over, Reagan. We had a goal, and we reached it. You can go after Evan now, if you haven’t already.”
Her face twisted into a scowl. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“Doesn’t matter,” I muttered, turning toward the door.
But Reagan wasn’t done. She followed me, voice tight with barely contained anger. “It does matter, Hudson. I’m not ready to end things.”
I sighed, pulling her into a quiet alcove by the doors. “Not ready? Come on, Reagan. Let’s not pretend. You and Evan—don’t act like it never happened.”
Her face paled, her bravado wavering. “I’ve never been with him,” she said, but her voice was barely a whisper.
I quirked an eyebrow.
“You sure about that? Then why was your bra in his desk?”
She looked down, stammering, her words a jumbled mess. “I... it wasn’t... What did Presley tell you?”
“That’s what I thought.” I shook my head, watching her carefully. “Look, he’s free now. Go for it. But don’t expect anything from him. Evan’s a user. He’ll keep you a secret, just like he did with Presley. You know that.”
She straightened her back, lifting her chin defiantly. “You don’t know anything, Hudson. Evan always has a girlfriend. Why shouldn’t it be me?”
I couldn’t help the bitter laugh that slipped out. “Because you have a reputation, Reagan. He wants a good girl he can ruin, like Presley.”
Her face contorted in anger, and she shoved me hard. “Go to hell, Hudson. I’m done wasting my time on your little game. And you know what? I’m telling Presley.”
I met her glare with a calm shrug. “She already knows.”
That wasn’t true—not yet. But I’d make sure Presley heard it from me first. After history class, I could skip the rest of the day. If I timed it right, I’d be home hours before Mom and Alex got back from the city. They had a dinner planned, so I’d have the place to myself.
And by then, I’d make sure everything was finally out in the open.
I stood over Presley, watching as she slept soundly on my bed, her soft, peaceful face nestled against my pillow. She lay on her side, wearing my old, faded aqua-blue sweatshirt—once my favorite, now hers. It dwarfed her a little, making her look even more delicate. I sat down carefully on the edge of the mattress, running a hand through her hair, brushing it back from her face.
"Mm… Hudson," she murmured, her eyes still closed, voice soft and drowsy.
A smile tugged at my lips. "Were you expecting someone else?"
Her eyes fluttered open, just a sliver. "Your bed is really comfortable," she whispered, meeting my gaze.
I leaned down, burying my face in the curve of her neck, breathing in the scent of her skin, her perfume lingering faintly. The reality of her being here felt surreal. I couldn’t imagine anyone else lying in this spot but her. She was where she belonged, with me, not with Evan.
"I like it too," I murmured, the words brushing against her neck.
I kicked off my sneakers, stretched out beside her, and settled my face on the same pillow as her. Presley reached out, her fingers tangling in my hair, smoothing it back as she looked at me.
"I missed you," she said, her voice a soft confession.
"Did you have a good nap?" I asked, smirking as I watched her yawn, her eyelids still heavy.
"It’s better when you’re next to me," she replied, a teasing smile lighting up her face.
I glanced toward the pillow. "Did you read the note?"
She fished a crumpled slip of paper from under the pillow, straightening it out before sitting up to read. “She walks in beauty, like the night of cloudless climes and starry skies. And all that’s best of dark and bright meet in her aspect and her eyes. Thus mellowed to that tender light which heaven to gaudy day denies.” She looked up at me, her expression a mixture of curiosity and wonder. "What does it mean?"
"It’s by Lord Byron," I explained, watching her closely. "The poem is called She Walks in Beauty . It’s about how inner and outer beauty blend in a way that’s breathtaking, and you, Presley… you’re breathtaking."
Her eyes shimmered, a few unshed tears catching in her lashes. "Hudson, you're… you're so different."
I gently brushed my thumbs over her lids, wiping away the tears that escaped. "Different how?"
Her soft laugh filled the silence between us. "You’re… you have this old soul. Are you sure you’re still a teenager?"
I chuckled, leaning in to press a gentle kiss on her lips. "Pretty sure. I’ve just… had a lot of time to read, growing up. Anything to distract me from missing you."
She bit her lip, placing a hand over her heart as her gaze softened. "I missed you too, Hudson. I never thought I’d see you again."
She echoed the words I’d been carrying for so long. I had spent years thinking about her, imagining what it would be like to see her again. I even went through phases of stalking her online, only stopping when it seemed like too much. But then, my mom told me we were moving back to Asterdale, and it was like I finally had a second chance.
"Did you ever look me up?" I asked, needing to know.
"A few times," she admitted, a shy smile tugging at her lips. "But I found a bunch of Hudson Everts, and some profiles were private. I… I gave up after a while. Had I known…"
"My profile picture isn’t me. It’s the cover of a poetry book."
Presley grinned. "I know. I saw it."
I glanced at my desk and noticed her jeans neatly folded on the edge. My heart stuttered a little. "So… any particular reason you’re not wearing jeans?"
She laughed softly, settling back under the covers. "They’re the worst to sleep in. Last year, I crashed at Reagan’s after a party, still in my jeans. Woke up feeling like a crumpled piece of paper. Never again."
I smirked, letting my gaze travel over her. "Think I could get a preview of what you’re wearing now?"
She rolled onto her back, slipping under the covers, a sly smile playing on her lips. "Why don’t you take off your jeans and find out?"
"Damn, Pres…" I groaned, shifting to slide in beside her, feeling the warmth of her body radiate through the thin fabric between us.
I slipped my arms around her, lifting Presley from the bed, her back pressed flush against my chest. My arm wrapped tightly around her waist, supporting her weight as I moved slowly, savoring the feel of her. I knew holding her this way would give us a different connection, one that brought us closer than ever. Each thrust felt deeper, and Presley’s head tilted back, resting on my shoulder, her eyes closed in bliss.
“Oh God… Hudson… this feels so good,” she breathed, her voice low and filled with longing.
The heat and intensity between us were electrifying. I wanted nothing more than to feel every part of her, but the distance of a barrier was a reminder to hold back. Someday, I thought to myself, we’d cross that line, but not yet. Right now, this was perfect.
With one hand anchored around her waist, I slid my other down, my fingers finding her tight pearl, rubbing it in gentle, insistent circles. She tensed in my arms, her breathing shallow as she leaned into every touch, every movement.
“Let go,” I murmured, my lips brushing against her ear.
Her breath caught. “Hudson… I… I…”
And then, she surrendered, melting against me as waves of pleasure rolled through her. Her body shook, her soft moans filling the room, every sound driving me closer to the edge. I held her as she fell apart, only releasing her when I felt her relax, spent and satisfied.
Gently, I lowered her back onto the bed, keeping us connected as her breathing slowed, her heartbeat gradually settling. I leaned over, pressing light kisses along her spine, my lips tracing the curve of her back. Presley’s fingers clutched the pillow beneath her, her breathing still ragged.
“Pres?” I whispered, letting my hand rest softly on her hip.
She managed a small smile, her voice breathless. “That was… incredible. I had no idea it could feel like this.”
I grinned, leaning in to kiss her shoulder. “This is only the beginning, Pres. There’s a lot more I haven’t shown you yet.”
She gave a playful wiggle, pressing her hips back against mine, her body inviting me to continue. I needed no further encouragement. I began to move again, our rhythm intensifying as we found a perfect synchronicity. This time, our release was simultaneous, a powerful, shared moment that left us both breathless.
When it was over, I held her close, our bodies wrapped around each other as the world outside faded away.