17. Hudson
For the next five hours, I went from fry cook to sauce boy. And LaVyrle, my new supervisor, might’ve been a touch temperamental—aka, a fiery demon from hell with some severe anger issues—but holy damn, she was a genius with stews, and she taught me how to make a gravy that, I swear, changed my fucking life.
I mean, honey. Who would’ve thought to put honey in gravy? Not me, that’s for damn sure. But God, it had broken up all the rich flavors, and my mouth was still watering from the sample I’d taken.
And yet somehow, throughout the entire night, I managed to stay chill, even when she praised the onions I sautéed for her, saying, “Goodness, you’re a natural.”
With a shrug, I said, “Well, I did just come from the fryer, and they both deal with hot oils, so…it’s basically like working with cousins.”
LaVyrle seemed offended by the comparison, though. “A distant cousin,” she hissed with a sniff, not even wanting to share the same plane of existence with lowly fry cooks.
I shrugged, not caring either way, and by the time my shift was over, I felt as if I was on top of the world.
I needed another painkiller for my head, but God, working under the saucier was a fucking rush. I easily ignored the pressure building against my skull and whistled under my breath as I straightened my tie that I’d whipped on after clocking out.
Now, I was fully suited up as I approached the owner’s office for my six-month review.
Both Mackeriel and LaVyrle were standing outside the door with their hands behind their backs as I approached. When they saw me, LaVyrle knocked, and Mackeriel stepped in my direction.
“Whatever you do,” he murmured into my ear as he reached out to fix my tie. “Don’t. Mention. Genesis.”
I glanced at him in surprise, a little taken aback that he even knew I was still tangled up with her. “Wasn’t planning on it.”
“Good.” He gave me a pleased nod, then gripped my shoulder briefly, like a proud father, before the door opened and Mr. Grammerly, the head chef, popped his head out the door before spotting me.
Waving me forward, he scowled briefly at the other two flanking me and said, “Only your direct supervisor can come in with you.”
“Oh! Er...” I paused, glancing between Mackeriel and LaVyrle.
“I’ve been his supervisor for the past two months, Chef,” Mackeriel spoke up with a clearing of his throat. “Until just this evening when LaVyrle requested a switch. So I know his work ethic and competency better than she does.”
“But I have much to report about him,” LaVyrle broke in, stepping forward and refusing to be left out. “And he’s my commis chef now.”
Grammerly’s eyebrows lifted as if impressed before he released a breath and motioned the three of us inside. “Oh, all right. All of you, then. Come in.”
LaVyrle hurried forward while Mackeriel waved me in last.
Inside, Genesis’s father was sitting behind a desk, relaxed back in his seat with one ankle crossed over the top of his opposite knee and his hands clasped behind his head.
“Two supervisors, eh?” he asked, nodding as if curious.
I’d never actually met Mr. Gusano, the owner, before. I’d seen him stride through the kitchen a handful of times, but he hadn’t glanced in my direction once.
As he looked me over now, skimming his gaze down the suit his daughter had bought for me, I studied him right back, wondering how some people were able to rise to power while others struggled and lost their entire livelihoods. Because he really didn’t look all that charismatic and awe-inspiring.
The world was a strange, strange place, that was for sure.
From there, I barely got the chance to speak at all. Both of my supervisors had plenty they wanted to impart on my behalf, and neither the head chef nor the restaurant’s owner hardly got the chance to even ask me a question.
“Well, it sounds as if he’s doing just fine,” Genesis’s father said twenty minutes later. “Rising in the ranks and catching on fast. You’re a student at HaveU, correct?”
“Yes, sir,” I answered. “Just finishing up the first semester of my junior year.”
He nodded with mild interest and conversationally mentioned, “My daughter’s attending there now. She’s a junior too.”
Mackeriel stiffened beside me, but I didn’t even miss a beat. With a fascinated nod, I answered, “Oh yeah? Maybe I’ve seen her around?”
On the other side of me, LaVyrle choked on her surprise and quickly covered it with a cough.
But Mr. Gusano was busy answering, “Probably not. She’s a business major. Are you liking that new culinary school they just built?”
Knowing he’d funded most of it, I nodded readily. “Top of the line, sir. I didn’t decide to become a culinary major until I took my first class there.”
A proud smile lit his lips. “Is that so? Well, good. Good. Keep up the good work, Ivers.”
I didn’t correct him on his mispronunciation. I merely bowed and took a respectful step back. “Thank you, sir.” Then I turned to each supervisor on either side of me and murmured, “Thank you, Chef. Thank you, Chef,” to each of them.
Once all the brown-nosing was done and I was released from the evaluation, I spent a few minutes outside, letting both Mackeriel and LaVyrle congratulate me on a review well done. Grammerly exited the office last and shut the door behind him as he made eye contact with me.
“Outstanding, Ivey,” he said. “Your probationary period is hereby lifted. You may start your next shift as a fully employed team member of Gusanos.”
Oh, thank fuck.
Bowing slightly to Grammerly, I murmured a demure, “Thank you, Chef.”
But inside I was doing cartwheels. This was just awesome.
Feeling as if maybe I had things under control, I left the three chefs and started home.
Returned head pressure or not, I was doing this. I was carrying on with my life and fucking excelling at it.
I could handle whatever was happening to me, no problem.
Until I returned home and stepped through the back door, only for a dizzying wave of agony to grip my head as it never had before.
Sucking in a surprised breath as it momentarily seized my lungs, I clutched my noggin and staggered toward the front room, where I heard voices.
But as soon as I reached the entrance to the living room and slumped in exhaustion against the doorframe, I found Keene, Damien, and Alec gathering in worry around Oaklynn who was on the couch, facing away from me.
“At least Hudson’s not here this time,” she was saying in a nasal-filled voice as Damien ripped off his shirt and pressed it to her face. “So y’all can’t go blaming him anymore.”
Alec glanced over her shoulder, however, and spotted me in the doorway.
As soon as he winced, Oaklynn whimpered. “Crap. He’s standing right behind us, isn’t he?”
Lifting both hands in surrender, I backed away from the entrance to the room. “And… I’m leaving,” I promised her.
Damien straightened in alarm. “Whoa, hey,” he called. “Where’re you going?”
“I don’t know,” I said bluntly. “Somewhere. We all know I can’t stay here. She’ll bleed out by morning.”
“He’s right,” Keene said, looking a little pale as he watched Oaklynn reposition the shirt so she could soak up more blood. “The two of them cannot sleep under the same roof until we figure this out.”
Appearing torn, Damien glanced at his girlfriend’s face before sending me an apologetic grimace. “You sure you’re going to be okay?”
“Bro, really?” I waved out a hand and made a face. “I’m not the one bleeding here. I’ll shack up with Eisner or Ohrley or Union for the night. I’ll be fine.”
He exhaled, looking slightly relieved, even though the rest of his gaze was filled with concern. When he mouthed the words, thank you, I nodded and turned away.
“No! Don’t you dare make Hudson leave,” I heard Oaklynn cry in outrage. “This is his home. Hudson!”
“Baby, it’s your home too,” Damien answered patiently.
“But…” I didn’t hear the rest of her protest because I was out the door and already jogging back to Chastity.
Once I was behind the wheel, I blew out a shaky breath and let my head fall back against the headrest.
“Fuck,” I whispered. I didn’t have this handled at all. But one thing was for sure; I wasn’t going to take Oaklynn down with me when everything fell apart.
Damien would be devastated if anything happened to the love of his life.
I didn’t care what I had to do; I couldn’t let her suffer. I had to protect her.
My hands couldn’t seem to stop trembling and my vision was blurred as I pulled my phone free and dialed Thane’s number.
When the line rang in my ear, I closed my eyes and ignored the pounding in my head, ignored the trickle of sweat slithering down my temple, and I concentrated on keeping my voice steady when I heard his voice answer, “Hudson?”
“Hey, man,” I answered easily, only to clear my throat when the last part went a little too hoarse. “What’s happening?”
He sent me a nervous laugh. “Um, I’m kind of on a date.”
“What?” I huffed out a dismayed laugh. “No, seriously? What’re you doing?”
“I am being serious.”
“No shit?”
I honestly couldn’t remember Thane dating anyone since he and Nova had split.
Wait. Had he dated anyone in the four years they’d been apart?
Damn, I guess hearing that she was about to get married had spurred him into going out there and trying again too.
“That’s great,” I started, beyond pleased for him. “But wait! What the fuck are you doing, answering calls from me while you’re on a date?”
“Are you kidding?” he demanded as if I was the insane one for even asking. “I’m not ignoring a call from you while you’re going through this again. I probably wouldn’t have accepted this date in the first place if I hadn’t already had it planned before I learned you were?—”
“Dude,” I groaned with a cringe. “Don’t alter your life around me. Go. Enjoy. Have fun. And try to get laid tonight. Seriously.”
“Ivey,” he cautioned with warning in his voice.
“I mean it,” I told him firmly, my tone stern. “If you don’t report back tomorrow with at least some kissing details, I’ll never forgive you.”
“Damn, Hudson,” he started as if in pain. “It’s just a first date.”
“And Dugger would’ve already banged her twice by now,” I countered bluntly. “If you like her, you better at least kiss that shit before wishing her a goodnight.”
“Okay, alright. I’ll take your suggestion under advisement.”
“Under advisement?” I snickered. “Yeah, you’re beyond the point of needing to get laid. Now get back in there, tiger. Give it all you got.”
“I will, but hey! Why were you calling? You doing okay? What’s wrong?”
No way could I tell him what had just happened. He’d cut his date short then and there. “Eh, it’s nothing someone else can’t help me with,” I assured with a wave of the hand, wincing when the move only aggravated the torment in my temples. “I’m fine. I’ll bother Ohrley instead. Don’t even worry about it.”
“Are you sure? Because I could?—”
“Thane. Enjoy your date. You more than deserve a night out with a pretty lady.”
He chuckled bashfully before saying, “I don’t recall mentioning that she was pretty.”
“Oh… She’s pretty,” I assured. I could hear the hint of hope and excitement in his voice. He was attracted. He wanted his night to be a success. He was into this woman.
She was probably fucking hot as hell.
“Okay. If you’re sure. But?—”
“Hanging up now,” I sang before hitting the disconnect button. Then I exhaled, releasing all the restraint I’d used to keep the tremors from my voice. But, damn, I was not feeling okay.
Closing my eyes, I tried to concentrate on my next task. I couldn’t keep sitting here in the driveway, but I’d already forgotten what I was supposed to do.
When it came to me a moment later, I shook my head and tried to bring up Foster’s number next.
I knew I’d told Thane I’d go to Parker, but I hated asking him for shit.
If he wasn’t so loaded, I’d have no problem. None of us would. But we didn’t want him to ever think his money was the only reason we kept him around, so all six of us restrained ourselves from asking Parker for favors at all costs.
If he volunteered to help, that was one thing, but going directly to him was a big no-no in our book.
Foster still lived at home with his parents and four younger siblings. I knew I’d end up on a cramped couch with his four-year-old sister drawing smiley faces on me while I slept if I called him, and yet he was still a more preferable option than Parker.
So I found the F’s in my contacts. A wave of dizziness assailed me, my vision blurred, and my breathing picked up.
Foster would be able to hear the panic in my voice if I called him, so I settled for a text and I punched in a quick message.
Hey, can I crash at your place tonight?
Dropping the phone into my lap, I started Chastity’s engine with quivering fingers and waited for him to answer.