Page 18 of Laugh

I don’t give him a chance to respond. Jumping out of the car, I turn to shut the door, but not before I catch his face fall into a look of confusion, maybe even disappointment, as the closing door separates us.

He’s pulling away from the curb before I even make it to my building.

Chapter 7

Back in My Day

Beau

Dropping my keys on the kitchen counter, I lean down to kiss my mom on the cheek. “Hey mom. Smells good in here.”

Rosemary Hudson has been a savant in the kitchen for as long as I can remember. Without formal training, she’s been able to create dishes that would put a five-star chef to shame. I’ve been spoiled throughout my entire life, and now a bit of a snob when I eat out with friends.

Setting her spoon to the side, she quickly wipes her hands off to cup my face. “Let me look at you.” Running her eyes over my face, she presses her lips together, then pulls me down to kiss my forehead. “You seem tired, honey. Are they working you too hard?”

I am tired, but not because I’m overworked. A certain red head has been distracting me when I lay down at night, keeping me from sleep as I work through my feelings about her.

On the surface, you’d think her mouth and bubbly personality are simply who she is. She’s crass and inappropriate at times, but when I watched her with my team last week in the library, it was easy to see that there was more to her than how she presents herself.

Haddie Byer is beautiful. There’s no denying that. She doesn’t look like someone I normally date. Her sister actually fits more of the type I’ve historically gone for, but Haddie is unique. Her hair is a riot of red, slightly auburn waves, barely kept in control even when she ties it up. Vivid green eyes that can pierce you through the chest when she gives you her full attention. Cupid bow lips that are full and immediately make one imagine what it’d be like to kiss them.

She’s much shorter than her sister, from what I remember. Where Amber has legs that go on forever, big tits, tiny waist, and a toned figure, Haddie is the opposite. She’s short. Maybe one would consider her petite. Her curves are less defined, but she’s got them. I noticed almost immediately once she caught my attention. With fair skin, her freckles sprinkled across her nose and cheeks stand out in the summer sun. It’s adorable, which is new for me. I never thought I’d find freckles sexy, but on her, they really fucking are.

Aside from the way she looks, it’sherthat has me the most torn up and confused. Sure, I found her inability to be serious irritating at first. But it was the way she reacted when I insulted her that made me think that some of her jokes are just a cover. There seems to be some insecurities there, although I’m not sure what they’re about. She’s also incredibly kind and patient. Fucking smart as hell, quick-witted, easy to banter with, just. And I hate saying this because I feel like people only say it when someone isn’t attractive, but she’s got a phenomenal personality.

I’ve never met someone like her before. I want to know more. I want to know why she held herself back from being herself at the library. Why did it bother me when she called me by my name instead of ‘Captain’ or ‘Chris’? I’ve made her uncomfortable around me, and I don’t like that one bit.

“Beau?”

The sound of mom’s voice jerks me out of my swirling thoughts. Smiling gently down at her, I grab her hands where they’re still warming my cheeks and give them a light squeeze.

“I’m alright. Haven’t been sleeping great, but nothing to be worried about.” I can hear the lie in my voice and silently thank my mom for not calling me out on it.

She eyes me dubiously before patting my cheek and turning back to the stove. “Have you seen your father yet?”

“Not yet. Wanted to say hello to you first. You been good, ma?” She’s always been a quiet woman, introverted, and incredibly supportive of both me and my father. One of the sweetest women I’ve ever known, to be honest.

Smiling over her shoulder at me, she winks. “Never better. Although, I wish I’d get to see you more often. I suppose that’s a complaint every mother has when their only child disappears into the world to do his own thing. I feel like I haven’t seen you in ages.”

Huffing out a laugh, I shake my head at her. She’s full of shit. I see her every week for family dinner, and we talk on the phone two or three times in between. “Liar,” I tease.

“How are the boys? You get the ones causing trouble sorted out?” I told her about my worries of having to bench some of my best players because of their grades. She knows I got them set up with a tutor, but I haven’t told her about Haddie yet.

My father’s booming voice calls out from the living room. “What’s wrong with your boys?”

Rolling my eyes up in agitation, I pinch my nose because I know I’m going to hear it from him. Mom snickers and whispers, “Best go tell him about it.”

“Yeah. He’s going to be–”

George Hudson interrupts me, shouting out in his impatience. “BEAU! The hell is going on?”

Patting my butt when I turn to find my father, I playfully smack mom’s hand away and glare at her. “You get to deal with him after I leave,” I hiss at her, and she simply shrugs me away like it doesn’t matter.

As I walk into the living room, I find my father standing a few feet in front of the TV, remote in hand, as he backs up one of last season’s games. It was one of our few losses, but I know he’s going to have something to say. Dad likes to dwell and critique when he’s got nothing better to do.

“It’s a shame you don’t have Schneider or Williams this year. Those two carried the line. Looking forward to seeing them as pros.” He doesn’t look at me as he hits play, then crosses his arms to study my defense. Pausing, he points at two of my juniors and finally turns toward me. “Those two could be good if you can get them to pull their heads out of their asses and play smart.”

Seeing that he’s pointing at Tyler and one of my other guys, Derek King, I nod in agreement. “They’re good. I’ve got some younger ones that show a lot of promise, too.”

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