Chapter 32
CHAPTER 32
Hudson
A lex clapped me on the back as he dropped my duffel bag on the floor. “I’m gonna miss you, kid,” he said, squeezing my shoulder.
My stepfather was the glue that held our family together more than once. After it came to light that my father was murdered by Mrs. Braddock, his comfort and guidance kept my mother and me from going crazy. He picked me up several times when I was too drunk to drive, no questions asked.
My mother was making my queen size bed when he pressed some cash into my hand. I pushed it back at Alex.
“I have money.”
He winked. “This is for those late nights when you just want to grab a beer and a burger.”
Emotion clogged my throat, and I hugged him. We had an understanding after he came into my life, no babying me but now, I wanted to return his affection.
“Thank you for everything,” I whispered.
“I’ll always be here for you, Hudson. I can’t be him, but I can be the best stepfather I can to you. If you need anything, let me know.”
I forced back the tears which threatened to fall. “I couldn’t ask for a better stepfather. Take care of Mom,” I whispered.
He cupped the back of my neck. “Always.”
My mother stepped out of the bedroom. “All done. You’ll have to get better at housework now that you have your own place,” she said.
I chuckled. “I’m sure you’ll be visiting. Asterdale isn’t that far away.”
She pulled me into a hug. “Your father would be so proud. I know we are.”
I hugged her back, clinging to her blouse. So much happened over the past few months but I made it through though my sacrifice was losing Presley. Maybe we weren’t each other’s destinies.
After my parents left, I ordered a pizza and gorged myself on almost the entire small pie until I couldn't move. The grease and cheese were a temporary comfort, masking the unease that simmered beneath the surface. I snapped the air conditioner on high, letting the cool air wash over me as I stripped off my t-shirt and jeans. I collapsed onto the fresh sheets of my bed, staring up at the ceiling.
In a week, I will start my freshman year at Columbia University. The thought should have been exciting, exhilarating even, but a legacy isn't always a blessing. Both my parents and my stepfather had left large footprints for me to follow.
My stepfather, with his connections on the board, made sure I knew he had paved the way, but I didn't need it. My grades were good enough to gain entry on their own. Still, the weight of expectations pressed down on me, heavy and relentless.
As the air conditioner hummed, my mind drifted to Presley. Somewhere, eight miles across the city, she was out there. I didn't have her address, only fragmented memories of our past. The last few months had been a whirlwind, and thoughts of her had been a constant undercurrent, a nagging reminder of unfinished business.
Would we cross paths during our four years of college? The possibility lingered in the back of my mind, a mix of hope and trepidation. I wanted to see her again, to understand what had happened between us, but the fear of facing the truth gnawed at me. What if the person I remembered was no longer the person she had become?
I rolled over, trying to push these thoughts away, but they clung to me like a shadow. The room grew colder, the air conditioner working overtime, yet my mind remained restless. I had no idea what the future held, but one thing was certain: Columbia would be a fresh start, a chance to carve out my own path.
As I lay there, the weight of the unknown pressing down on me, I made a silent promise to myself. No matter what happened, I would find Presley. I needed to know if our paths were meant to converge once more, or if we were destined to remain as distant memories, echoes of a past left unresolved.
Three weeks into school, I found myself hanging out with my next-door neighbor, Oscar, in his cramped but cozy studio. The rain pounded relentlessly against the windows, a steady rhythm that matched the hum of our conversation. We were both starving, and the late hour meant our usual go-to delivery spots were closed.
Oscar sighed, running a hand through his curly hair. “Man, we need to go food shopping. I’m running on fumes here.”
I nodded, glancing at the clock. It was after midnight on a Saturday night, and our options were limited. “Most places that deliver are closed by now. What do you suggest?”
A grin spread across Oscar’s face. “How about Big Apple Bites? It’s an all-night spot with awesome omelets and cheese fries. Perfect for a rainy night like this.”
I hesitated for a moment, then shrugged. “Sounds good to me. Let’s go.”
We grabbed our jackets and braved the downpour, hailing a cab three times before one stopped. The streets glistened under the streetlights, puddles forming in every crevice. By the time we reached Big Apple Bites, we were soaked but laughing, the adventure of it all lifting our spirits.
The diner was a warm oasis from the storm outside. The smell of muffins and fresh coffee enveloped us as we stepped inside, shaking off the rain. We found a booth near the back, collapsing into the seats with relief.
Oscar flagged down a waitress and ordered a massive plate of cheese fries and a western omelet. I opted for a bacon cheeseburger and a side of onion rings, my stomach growling in anticipation.
As we waited for our food, I glanced around the diner, taking in the late-night crowd. My gaze froze when I saw her. Presley. She was sitting at a booth across the room with two of her friends, laughing over a plate of pancakes and vanilla milkshakes. Her presence hit me like a slap to the face, a swirl of emotions I wasn’t prepared for.
Oscar followed my gaze and raised an eyebrow. “Hey, you know her?”
“Yeah,” I said slowly, my eyes still fixed on Presley. “We have some history.”
“Good or bad?”
“Complicated.”
He nodded, not pressing further, and turned his attention back to his phone. I couldn’t look away, though. It had been years since I’d seen her, but she looked just as I remembered, maybe even more so. There was a light in her eyes, a genuine joy that made her glow even in the harsh diner lighting.
Before I could talk myself out of it, I stood up. “I’ll be right back,” I told Oscar.
I walked over to Presley’s booth, my heart pounding in my chest. As I approached, her friends noticed me first, their conversation halting as they followed my movements. Presley looked up, her smile fading as recognition dawned.
“Hudson?” she said, her voice a mix of surprise and something else I couldn’t quite place.
“Hey, Presley,” I replied, trying to keep my tone casual. “Fancy running into you here.”
Her friends exchanged glances, sensing the tension. Presley blinked, then managed a small smile. “Yeah, it’s been a while. How have you been?”
“Good,” I said, though it felt like an understatement. “Really good. You?”
“Same,” she replied, her eyes searching mine. “I’m at NYU now.”
“I know,” I said softly. “I’m at Columbia.”
She nodded, and for a moment, we just stood there, the weight of our shared past hanging in the air. Finally, one of her friends cleared her throat, breaking the silence.
“Hudson, these are my friends, Emily and Rachel,” Presley introduced them, her voice regaining some of its usual warmth. “Guys, this is Hudson.”
“Nice to meet you,” I said, giving them a polite nod.
“You too,” Emily said, though her curiosity was evident.
Rachel smiled. “You should join us.”
Presley shot her a quick glance as if to say don’t.
I hesitated, glancing back at Oscar. “I’m actually here with my friend, but maybe another time.”
Presley’s smile faltered slightly, but she nodded. “Sure, another time.”
I returned to my booth, my mind racing. Oscar looked up from his phone, raising an eyebrow. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah,” I said, forcing a smile. “Just…unexpected.”
Our food arrived, and we dug in, but my thoughts kept drifting back to Presley. Seeing her again stirred up old memories and unresolved feelings. As the rain continued to pour outside, I couldn’t shake the sense that this chance encounter was more than just coincidence. It felt like the universe was giving us a second chance, a new chapter waiting to be written.
Oscar chattered on about his economics class and I tried to engage but my mind and glances went to Presley until she left. I watched her as she stood under the awning with Rachel while Emily hailed a cab to take them back home.
I didn’t see Presley for a month though she was often on my mind. My Introduction to Astronomy, a science elective required a visit to the Hayden Planetarium at the Museum of Natural History. Since Wednesdays were my light day and I was done with classes by noon, I decided to go at 3 p.m.
The theater wasn’t full, maybe twenty people scattered and separated by many empty seats. Presley entered five minutes before the lights went down. The row behind her was empty and I quietly slipped into a seat to her left. When they shut the lights and the show began, I quickly penned a note and dropped it on her lap.
I heard the crinkle of the paper as she smoothed out the folded note and her sniffles as she read it. I reached between the seats to cup her cheek, and she leaned into my hand.
“Pres,” I whispered.
Above us the solar system flashed but we weren’t paying attention. I rose and slipped into her row, sitting next to her. She put her arms around my neck and buried her head in my chest.
“I love you,” I whispered. “I love you so much.”
She silently wept against me, and I held her shaking body. What a fool I was to believe it was better we were apart because having her in my arms lifted a weight I’d been carrying for months. When her crying subsided, I wiped her tears and cupped her chin, giving her a chaste kiss.
She clenched the note in her fist. “Truth,” she said.
“Do you love me?” I asked.
“Since we were twelve.”
Presley sealed her mouth over mine and we made out for the entire show like lovesick teenagers. She clung to my hand when the lights went up and we exited into the main room of the planetarium.
“Truth,” I whispered.
“Did you miss me?”
“Every day.”
I practically dragged her out of the museum into the blustery start of November. Presley pulled her hood on her head and secured her backpack, reclaiming my hand after she was done.
“Where do you live?” I asked.
“I have a studio near NYU. You?”
I led her down the stairs to the sidewalk, embracing her in the fading light of mid fall.
“One bedroom near Columbia. It’s not big but cozy. Want to come home with me?”
She giggled. “I thought you would never ask.”
My place was closer, and I threw my hand up to stop a passing cab, preferring it to the subway. She sat next to me, our thighs rubbing together, hands entwined and my dick twitching in anticipation. I hadn’t slept with anyone since Presley and that was over a year ago.
It just didn’t feel right, like I would be cheating on her. Deep down inside I knew we would find each other again. That I would get over my anger and feelings of betrayal. I had, several months ago when I beat the shit out of Evan Braddock for thinking he could assault her without consequences.
At that time, I couldn’t bring myself to tell her I still loved her, and I stalked her instead, watching her, loving her from afar. And then she was gone, off to school and so was I. The meeting in the diner was no coincidence, it was kismet. We were drawn to each other like two magnets.
I could’ve talked Oscar into going to a closer restaurant, there were plenty open until 2 a.m. on the weekends but I chose to go to Big Apple Bites. It was just one more step closer to sealing our connection. And the planetarium was open every day, so why today, this show?
“We can order dinner, and I’ll take you home later.”
“I don’t have classes on Thursdays. I usually study and take care of any class assignments for the following week.”
Presley put her head on my shoulder, and I petted her cheek. This cab ride was taking far too long but that was traffic in Manhattan.