Chapter 17
CHAPTER 17
Hudson
T he last time I saw Presley, she’d given me a quick peck on the cheek before disappearing into her homeroom. But now, halfway through the day, she was nowhere to be found. I scanned the cafeteria, weaving through groups of students, feeling a gnawing worry I couldn’t shake. Finally, I spotted her brother, Neil, in the lunch line, already halfway through a chocolate chip cookie.
“Neil.” I stepped in beside him, catching his attention. “Have you seen Presley?”
His expression darkened, and he shot me a look that was equal parts suspicion and warning. “You better delete that video,” he muttered, his voice low and tense.
My brows shot up. “What?”
“You heard me. I know she sent you something,” he said, his gaze hardening.
I held back a sigh. Neil was just doing what any brother would, watching out for his sister. But he didn’t know the whole picture. I wasn’t some random guy. I’d never do anything to hurt Presley. I clenched my jaw, meeting his glare. “It’s none of your business. I just want to know where she is.”
Before Neil could respond, a familiar voice cut in, dripping with arrogance. Evan slung an arm around Neil’s shoulders, completely oblivious to the tension simmering between us. “What’s up, man? Got any extra fries?” he asked with a grin.
Neil shrugged him off, shooting a quick smile. “Yeah, don’t worry—I’m up next.” He turned his attention to the food counter, leaving me alone with Evan.
Evan turned toward me, his gaze sharp and taunting. He smirked, his voice low and cutting. “Hey, dickhead, where’s your cunt?”
The way he said it, the mocking tone. Before I knew it, my fist was already swinging, smashing into his jaw. The shock on his face was almost satisfying as he stumbled back, hitting the wall with a dull thud. His eyes widened, anger flaring as he regained his balance. Around us, students gasped and scattered, creating a wide circle, some staring, others whispering.
Evan’s face twisted with fury, and he lunged, fist raised, ready to take me down. My pulse pounded, my body coiled, ready to take him on. But just as we were about to clash, a stern voice cut through the chaos.
“Mr. Braddock. Mr. Evert. Dean’s office. Now.”
We both froze, turning to see one of the teachers glaring at us, arms crossed, clearly unimpressed. Evan rubbed his jaw, muttering under his breath as he straightened. I couldn’t help but smirk. He’d deserved that punch, and he knew it.
As we trudged toward the dean’s office, a small flicker of satisfaction lit up inside me. Yeah, I was probably looking at a suspension, and my mom would kill me for it later. But right now? Watching Evan nursing his bruised pride made it all worth it.
My mother shook her head as she set down her teacup, sighing softly. “Hudson, what is it about this boy that you can’t stop fighting with him?”
I grabbed a handful of potato chips, crunching them slowly as I considered my answer. “Mom, he called Presley… something awful. I couldn’t just let him get away with that.”
She placed a gentle hand over mine, her eyes both stern and soft. “It’s only October, and this is the second time you’ve been suspended, Hudson. I want this to be the last time. Promise me.”
I leaned back in my chair, tension coiling in my chest. If I promised her, I’d be giving Evan a free pass to keep running his mouth about Presley. I wasn’t sure I could stand that.
But I nodded. “I promise.”
“Good.” She lifted her tea, studying me over the rim. “Avoid him. I know the type. And...what’s this with you and Presley?”
My cheeks burned. I looked away, the words slipping out before I could catch them. “I love her. I’ve loved her since we were kids.”
A small smile tugged at her lips. “You’re young, Hudson. Love can be...fleeting.”
I shook my head, resolute. “Not this love.”
She took a delicate bite of a tea biscuit, chewing thoughtfully. “Just...be careful, honey. Love can be fragile, too.”
Her words hung in the air, and curiosity sparked inside me. My mom rarely spoke about Dad since he’d passed. “Was it that way for you and Dad?”
Her face softened, and her eyes grew misty. “Your father will always have a piece of my heart. But I do love Alex. He’s a good man.”
She was right about that. My stepfather was a solid guy. He’d taken on the role of my father with grace, never once making me feel like I wasn’t his own. I nodded. “Yeah, he is.”
“Now, the dean said your homework’s in your online account. You may not be in school physically, but you’re still responsible for your assignments.”
I shrugged, smirking. “Yeah, yeah, I get it.”
I pushed up from my chair and leaned down to kiss her cheek. As I headed downstairs, my phone buzzed with a new message. I hadn’t checked it since sitting in the dean’s office, not wanting to give him another reason to be pissed.
What did you do?
Four little words from Presley, laced with her worry. It was only 1 p.m., and she’d still be in class for another hour.
Come over when you get out of school.
I crashed on my bed, and before long, I must’ve drifted off, my mind tangled in thoughts of Presley. Suddenly, a warm, familiar weight slipped in beside me, arms wrapping snugly around my waist. I stirred, groggy.
“Pres?”
She giggled, her breath tickling my neck. “Were you expecting someone else?”
I blinked, barely believing she was here. “Didn’t expect you sneaking into my bed with my mom around.”
“She was heading out,” she said, snuggling closer. “Something about picking up steaks for dinner.”
“So, you thought you’d slip in here and seduce me in my sleep?”
“Hudson!” She slapped my arm, laughing, but didn’t pull away.
I grinned, turning to face her. “Where were you at lunch? I looked everywhere.”
Her expression softened. “I had to see Mr. Pileggi about my Spanish project. By the time I got to the lunchroom, you were gone. Everyone was talking about the fight. Hudson, why’d you hit Evan?”
My jaw tightened. “He called you something I couldn’t let stand.”
She sighed, her fingers trailing gently over my cheek. “Huddy, you have to let it go. He won’t stop. He’ll talk all year if he wants to.”
“Probably true,” I muttered, hating that she was right.
She looked at me, pleading. “Promise me you won’t fight him again. Please.”
“I told Mom I wouldn’t,” I said with a shrug. “But if he starts it, I can’t back down, Presley. I won’t.”
“Just don’t start it,” she whispered.
“Pres?” I leaned in, brushing my lips against hers. “Shut up and kiss me.”
She let out a soft laugh, her hands slipping under my t-shirt as I kissed her, pulling her bottom lip into my mouth, savoring her taste. She moaned softly, her fingers tracing the lines of my waist.
“Your mom…” she murmured, pausing as she glanced at the door.
I chuckled, tilting her face back to mine. “Relax. She respects my privacy. She might not be back for hours.”
Her cheeks flushed, but she smiled, her fingers playing with the hem of my shirt. “Still, I don’t want her to think I’m...I don’t know, slutty.”
My hand slid up, cupping her cheek, and I gave her a serious look. “She doesn’t think that, Presley. Why would you even worry?”
Her face softened, but her voice wavered. “Because Evan’s mom didn’t like me.”
I felt my smile fade as I rolled her onto her back, brushing her hair back as I looked down at her. Presley Rossi—sweet, kind, beautiful. How could anyone dislike her? “Why?”
She looked away, her voice quiet. “She thought Evan could do better. I didn’t know until this past summer. He was in the shower, and I heard her on the phone, talking about me. And it wasn’t good.”
I scoffed, brushing a thumb over her cheek. “Does she even know her own son?” I shook my head, smirking. “Trust me, Presley—you were way too good for him.”
Her green eyes dimmed, the spark fading as if the knowledge of someone’s disdain had snuffed out her inner light.
“She thinks Evan is perfect,” she murmured, almost to herself.
I took her chin in my hand, tilting her gaze back to mine. “Pres, you’re the one who’s perfect. I've always thought so.”
Her eyes softened, a small smile playing at her lips. “You’re just saying that because you want to get in my pants.”
I leaned down, brushing my lips over hers. “I’ve loved you long before any of the clique nonsense or popularity games started—back when we were both just kids, awkward and figuring ourselves out.”
Presley turned onto her side, resting her cheek against my chest. She inhaled deeply, like she was taking me in. “You love me,” she whispered. “But how do I know you’re telling me the truth?”
I ran my fingers through her hair, letting the soft strands slide between them. “Because I’d never lie to you. Not about this.”
She stayed quiet for a moment, as if letting my words settle. “I missed you today.”
I raised an eyebrow, teasing. “I thought you were mad at me this morning.”
“I was,” she admitted with a small sigh. “But I got over it. I need you, and now you’re suspended until Monday.” Her voice carried a hint of sadness.
I smoothed my hand down her back. “You’re stronger than you think. Don’t let anyone—especially some jerk—make you doubt that.”
She nodded, her eyes serious. “I won’t.”
Without another word, I straddled her, slowly lifting her sweater over her head. Beneath was a black lace bra that made me pause, my breath catching. Her skin was soft and inviting, her nipples peeking through the delicate fabric. I traced circles around them with my thumbs, feeling her body respond to my touch.
Her lips curved in a smirk as she met my eyes, her cheeks flushed. “What are you thinking about?”
“The video,” I said, my voice low. “Why’d you make it?”
Her breath hitched as my fingers continued to tease her. She wet her lips, hesitating. “I was alone, couldn’t sleep... and I was thinking of you. I wanted to give you something.”
A low chuckle rumbled from my chest. “You gave me more than something—you gave me one hell of a hard time focusing.”
Her hands slid over my hips, and she pulled down the waistband of my boxers, a sly grin on her face. She let her fingers brush over me, tracing every inch until my breathing grew ragged. With a wicked glint in her eyes, she lifted her thumb, wet from the tip of me, and brought it to her mouth, savoring it.
“Presley…” I groaned, fighting to keep control.
She laughed softly. “Truth or dare?”
“Do you know how badly I want to fuck you right now?” I asked, voice thick with desire.
She groaned, her arms wrapping around my neck, her lips brushing my ear as she whispered, “Then don’t hold back.”
I spent my three days doing homework, watching movies and trying to keep my mind off Presley until she came after school. Alex was still on his business trip and my mother had a photography session for a corporate brochure for the rest of the week. She wasn’t home until the evening.
I want to take you out to dinner and a movie.
Movie? Where?
Asterdale Drive-In. Halloween movies.
The local drive in had just opened up again this past summer and after Halloween, it would shut down for the season. I loved horror films but we probably wouldn’t be watching them anyway. I just wanted to get out of the house after the boring week I had.
What’s playing?
Friday the 13th and Leprechaun.
Seriously?
You can pick the restaurant.
There’s a party at Doug’s house tonight.
Fuck that. I didn’t want to see the asshole jocks. I was friends with Doug, but I was in no mood for Evan’s shit. The football season was winding down and with the team with a fifty percent win record, they wouldn’t be going any further than the regular season.
Nope. I want you to myself.
You have me to yourself every afternoon. Perv.
Perv? Seriously?
I have to go to class. I’ll be there soon.
“It’s freezing,” Presley whined, crossing her arms as if it would fend off the chill.
I rolled my eyes but reached over to blast the heat in my truck, letting the engine rumble to life. She shot me a look, then dropped her head into my lap, and I brushed a stray lock of hair from her cheek, fingers lingering for a moment.
“You’re not even watching the movie,” I murmured, glancing at the screen where the group of clueless teens wandered through a darkened camp.
“I’m listening,” she said, her voice muffled against my thigh.
The soundtrack echoed through the speakers, the tense music building as shadows flitted across the screen. Presley’s fingers played idly with the frayed strings of my jeans, her soft touch grazing my skin, sending shivers up my spine. Three hours since we'd last been together, yet her fingers on my leg still made my pulse race.
“You have no idea what’s going on, do you?”
She tilted her head up, flashing a defiant smile. “Shut up, Hudson. I’ve seen this before, anyway.” Her hand slipped to my knee, squeezing just enough to make me inhale sharply. “You know, you only brought me here so we could fool around.”
I threw my head back, laughing. “Trust me, Pres, we’ve fooled around every day this week. I don’t need a drive-in movie to get you in my lap.”
Her nails dug into my knee, and I winced. “Ouch—okay, okay!”
She smirked, satisfied, then lifted herself up to straddle my hips, her hands cradling my face. “I love you, Hudson.”
My gaze softened as I took her in, all traces of teasing vanishing. “I know.” But before I could say anything else, she closed the distance, her lips claiming mine. I tangled my fingers in her hair, gently tugging her head back so I could press a trail of kisses down her neck. She sighed, rolling her hips against me, each movement more intoxicating than the last.
“This feels so good,” she murmured, voice laced with a teasing edge.
I struggled to keep control, my breath hitching. “Presley, if you don’t stop…”
“Why?” She asked, innocence flickering in her eyes, though the wicked smile that followed betrayed her. She knew exactly what she was doing.
“If you keep this up, I’ll end up taking you right here, while everyone else watches teens on-screen running from Jason.”
Right on cue, a scream erupted from the movie, echoing through the lot as Jason made his appearance.
She bit her lip, leaning in close. “I want to scream like that,” she whispered.
A grin tugged at my mouth. “You want me to make you scream?”
She didn’t respond, but the answer was clear in her kiss, slow and fierce. Her hands found their way to my belt, fingers working the buckle as she pressed herself closer, her breath warm against my neck. I caught her wrists, pausing her movements.
“Here?” I asked, glancing around the parking lot.
She laughed softly, trailing kisses to my ear. “Imagine us years from now, sitting around with friends, playing one of those ‘weirdest place’ games. Drive-in movie theater—we’d have the best story.”
A snicker escaped me, and soon I was in full laughter. She huffed, smacking my arm.
“What’s so funny?” she snapped, her eyebrows pulling together in irritation.
Once I caught my breath, I grinned. “Pres, people have been fooling around at drive-ins for decades. It’s practically a rite of passage.”
She wrinkled her nose. “Yeah, but how many drive-ins even exist anymore? Hardly any. This would be... special.”
I leaned in, my thumb brushing over her cheek. “You’re already special.”
She searched my face, her voice dropping to a whisper. “Then show me. Right here.”
As if on cue, the sky opened, rain pouring down in sudden, rhythmic drumming on the roof. Presley gasped, glancing out the fogging windows as water blurred the glass, cloaking us in privacy. Her breathing hitched as I eased her back onto the seat, unbuttoning her jeans and pressing a kiss just above her belly. Around us, cars started pulling out, brake lights illuminating the downpour.
“Should we go?” Presley asked, voice barely a whisper.
“No way.” I smirked. “This was your idea.”
She hesitated, biting her lip. “We could wait until we get to my place. My parents went out for the night—Manhattan, dinner with friends. The house is empty.”
I pulled her up, buckling her seatbelt with a grin. “Then you’re inviting me in?”
Her eyes sparkled as she leaned in close. “Unless you’d rather drop me off and say goodnight?”
Not a chance. I put the truck in drive, casting one last glance at the half-empty lot. The storm was in full force now, heavy raindrops streaming down as we pulled away, neither of us caring about the movie we’d left behind.