Chapter 6 #2
I can sense a lot of feelings stir inside of Hudson about that. Instinct causes me to reach out and touch his arm to comfort him. “And now?”
“Couldn’t be happier to have my son in my life. Just missed all the young years when he was growing up. He is the opposite of me in some ways, maybe a bit more introverted and not much for sports. He plays guitar and is good at carpentry, even made some of the shelves in my living room.”
I squeeze his arm. “Makes his father proud too, I can see it with every word you say.”
Hudson smiles to himself. “True. Now how about a tour?” he suggests.
“Sounds good.”
For the next few minutes, he shows me around downstairs, the at-home gym, and outside where there is a giant patio and an in-ground hot tub in the corner.
It will be nice to sit out there in the morning with coffee and my design book.
Color-wise, everything in the house screams bachelor, with neutral colors, except for a beautiful Native American rug hanging on the wall in Hudson’s office—oh, and his hallway is decorated with a few of his old jerseys.
We kept conversation to the point, Hudson mostly explaining where things were.
But as we walk up each step leading upstairs, that feeling in my stomach returns.
A swirl of anticipation and nerves. Maybe he picks up on it or perhaps he just doesn’t want to make a big deal about it, but he doesn’t show me his room.
I thought for sure he would make a joke about it at least. Instead, he points out two guestrooms, and at the third room, he opens the door.
“This can be you.” I follow him in, and he sets my bag on the bed. “Towels are in the bathroom over there behind the door in the corner. I guess maybe you want a few moments to freshen up before we head into town or go for a walk, whatever you want.”
I notice he’s avoiding eye contact. “Thanks. It’s a beautiful room.” I look around, and I do love the look of the white blankets with deep blue pillows. “I noticed you have a few rooms, so why this one?”
A droll smirk forms on his mouth, and his head lolls to the side as his eyes meet mine. “It’s the farthest from my bedroom.”
I feel my cheeks heat, and I try to hide my grin but fail, before I swallow and breathe in some composure. “You know, how about we just stay here tonight and open some wine and cook—or I watch you cook so I don’t burn the house down.”
“Sure. I’ll meet you downstairs.” Hudson turns to leave and makes it to the door where he stops, with his hand on the pane of the door, then turns back to me. “You know this is crazy for me too.”
“So I make you do things you normally wouldn’t do too?” I wonder, and I’m relieved that he also seems unsure about what’s going to transpire.
He doesn’t answer but instead scoffs, a hint of a smirk on his lips, before leaving me there to catch my breath.
After checking myself in the mirror, I return downstairs to find Hudson arranging cheese and crackers on a plate.
He glances up, and gosh, I don’t think I will ever tire of his smile when he’s happy to see me.
“White or red?”
I find a spot on the kitchen island. “Anything is okay, you decide.”
Investigating the snack plate, and wow, the man knows how to prepare a charcuterie board.
“I was thinking maybe just steak and vegetables for dinner, but then I realized I don’t know what you like.” Hudson gets to work on uncorking a bottle of white.
“I’m pretty easy, I don’t eat much pork, though.” He gives me peculiar eyes, and I explain further. “My mom is Jewish and my dad Catholic, best of both worlds, but my mom won on what we ate in the house growing up.”
He pours me a glass. “Ah, well, a wise man knows that the woman leads the way.”
“Is that so?” I feel a coy smile stretch on my mouth, as I feel that he is insinuating me and where our day may lead.
Hudson offers me the glass, and he holds his own out to suggest a toast. “I’ll cheers to that. You lead the way.”
“I like the sound of that.” I smile before clinking our glasses together, and I notice our eye contact is intense but in an electric way, which makes me thankful for the wine.
He indicates his head in the direction of the patio. “Some fresh air?”
“With that view, I don’t think I’d ever say no.”
I take the wine glasses and he takes the board of snacks, then we walk outside, taking a minute to get comfortable in the outdoor seating area, comfy lounge furniture with cloth pillows.
He doesn’t sit too far from me, but just enough to put my body on high alert.
We angle our bodies toward one another as we hold onto the wine.
“So, you’re Jewish?” he asks curiously.
“I guess. I was never raised in the religion. My grandmother, on the other hand, is a staunch follower, but more for the gossip from the temple than anything. Her family came from Hungary before the war, and my father’s side is Dutch, but again, came long ago to the US. Dapper means brave in Dutch, actually.”
“I like that. You are a brave person.”
“How so?”
He has a sheepish look before he takes a quick sip of wine. “You took a chance on me.”
I can’t answer, only let our eyes hold. Maybe I will explain my reasoning when I’ve got more wine in me. Changing the subject quickly is my diversion.
“Actually, I got into design because of my grandmother. She comes from a family of seamstresses, and she became quite a big designer, back when department stores were king, and now, she’s retired, with enough money to live a very good life.
My parents were kind of the opposite, met during college, now work as doctors and volunteer time abroad, my brother too.
” I study Hudson for a second and watch how he listens intently.
“If I can be honest, I think because of my grandmother, money and fame don’t really faze me.
Even though I could use my grandmother’s name to get my foot through so many doors, I don’t.
So, I guess I’m not the typical woman you may have dated. ”
He looks at me oddly, and I realize what I suggested.
“Oh no, what I mean is, well… it’s not right for me to make assumptions, but based on what I’ve seen online then… sorry.” And I do it again, nervously ramble.
To my relief, Hudson chuckles and pops a cube of cheese into his mouth. “You’re honest, I’ll give you that. And for the sake of honesty, you’re probably mostly right, but not as of late.”
“Was there ever someone serious?” I wonder.
“Before coaching, I was on a vigorous schedule of training and games as a player. There were a few girlfriends here and there. But eventually, the schedule irritated them, or I could clearly see they were more interested in my fame. Then I turned coach, and my schedule became even more grueling, and life got chaotic. However, since my son came into my life, I’ve felt a need to slow down where I can. You?”
It’s fair enough that he would ask me about my romantic life. I slide off the seat and walk a few steps with my wine to admire the view because I’m not ready to talk about that aspect of my life, not when Hudson could be the very opposite of what I’ve experienced.
“Such a great view. Why did you pick a house on Lake Spark?”
I feel him now standing and walking closer to me.
“We train not far from here during the summer and for spring camps. During game season, I’m mostly living in hotels, and even though I have a place in the city, it isn’t home.
I even commute back here when schedule allows.
I much prefer a small town on a lake, more solitude and calm.
People just let me be, maybe because there are several people in the industry that live here, so the townsfolk are immune.
My parents live in the western suburbs and will never move, even when I paid off their mortgage.
It was the first thing I did when I got my contract money as an athlete.
They’re retired now. My mom was a teacher and my dad a plant manager.
When I retire, I hope it is to here—and by the way, retirement for an athlete, even turned coach, is still young, in case you’re concerned about my talk of retirement. ”
I turn to him with a fond look. “Sounds like a wonderful plan. I’m slightly jealous. I’m not much of a city person, although that’s all I know.”
“Well, then it’s good that you’re here. You’ll get to enjoy the things that you like and experience something new.” I notice a subtle tic of his jaw which means he is insinuating himself; it only causes me to smirk.
Again, we stand there, getting lost in each other’s eyes. There’s a pull we’re both trying to fight, but we have our head in the game.
It takes a few beats before Hudson speaks. “Can I ask you a question?” His tone is almost serious.
I nervously drink from my wine. “Of course. I think questions will be our theme for the next few days,” I attempt to joke.
He steps closer, and I gulp, anticipation rising. His fingertips land on my shoulder, and the best kind of tingle runs through my body. “What’s the real reason you’re here?”
I take a deep breath and remind myself that I’m a confident person who might as well be straightforward. “I guess I’ll be blunt.”
“Please. Your candor struck me from the very beginning,” he presses.
“I want to figure out if you’re the man who is the perfect fuck or the man who has the potential to be more.”
If a man ever had a winning grin, then Hudson Arrows just displayed it.
He leans in, his lips brushing along my cheek up toward my ear where I feel the tingle of his stubbled chin.
“Baby, I know I can be both, and I have every intention of showing you.”