Page 39 of Summer with a Single Dad

I followed Hudson to the laundry room. After starting the washing machine, we tiptoed down the hall. When we found Chris asleep on the bed, Hudson held his finger to his mouth. I nodded and pointed to the living room.

“We’ll let him sleep a little while longer,” I said. “How about we order a pizza, some wings, and garlic bread? Then we can play a game or watch a movie.”

“Do you like Uno?” he asked.

“I love Uno! But I have to warn you, I’m pretty good.”

His eyes sparkled like he was up for the challenge. “I’ll go get it!” he said and ran away. I couldn’t help but laugh at his excitement. I had to admit, I was excited too.

Hudson and I were on round two of Uno when Chris sat down at the table with us.

“How long was I out?”

“I don’t know how long before we checked on you. But it’s been about half an hour since then.”

Hudson squirmed in his seat. It was his tell that he had a good card he wanted to play. “Ohhh!” Chris and I yelled out when Hudson served me with a Draw Four.

“He beat me in our first round,” I said to Chris.

“Hmm,” he said, peeking at my cards.

“That’s cheating, Dad!” Hudson reprimanded.

I held my cards away from Chris. “Cheaters don’t get dessert,” I said.

“I think we better have dinner first.”

“We ordered pizza,” Hudson said, laying down his card.

“It’ll be a little later than normal with the storm and all.”

“It’s really coming down,” he said. “I think that’s what woke me up.”

When the doorbell rang, Hudson and I put our cards aside, promising to finish our game later.

Instead of finishing our card game, the boys decided we should watch a movie. Hudson's choice to watchReturn of the Jedididn’t surprise Chris or me. What did surprise me was that I stayed awake, and Hudson fell asleep.

Chris carried him to bed. I watched from the doorway as he tucked him in. Seeing him in this light, the dad who loved his son with all his heart, completely melted mine.

Back in the living room, we sighed and settled in. Before long, we were making out, revved up and raring to go. I slipped my hand in his and let him pull me to his bedroom.

“This feels very naughty,” I said, slipping my hands under his shirt. The tight ridges of his muscles made my mouth water. “I’d really like to?—”

The boom of thunder and crack of lightning was followed by a harrowing cry of, “Daddy!”

Chris bolted to Hudson’s room.

I tiptoed down to make sure Hudson was okay.

Soft whimpers hit my ears. Knowing he must be scared and not wanting to embarrass him, I stood just outside the doorway.

I could barely make out their conversation. The parts I did hear offered comfort and assurance that everything would be okay.

Holding my heart in my chest, I fell in love all over again.

I closed my eyes and said a little prayer because before Chris and I made love tonight, I wanted to open my heart to him.

I sighed to myself and hoped I would say all the right things.

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