Page 100 of While We Waited

“Congrats, man. Sorry, I didn’t make it to the wedding.” Hudson helps me to my feet. “This is my Nova.”

Naomi’s gaze falls on my belly and her eyes widen. I place my hand over my belly in a protective manner. Sprog can’t sense her contempt, but I feel the need to protect him anyway.

Hudson places his arm around my shoulders. “Nova, meet Seth Cox, my former teammate.”

I offer him my hand but instead of shaking it, he pulls me into his arms for a hug. Hudson growls and yanks me away from Seth causing his friend to burst into laughter.

“Never thought I’d live to see the day,” he says as he pulls out a chair for Naomi. “The great Hudson has fallen for a woman.”

Is it true? Has Hudson fallen for me? Am I worried for nothing?

Hudson grunts. Which doesn’t enlighten me whatsoever. My insecurity lives to fight for another day.

Seth scans the room. “You’re doing well for yourself.”

Hudson shrugs, and I hurry to fill the gap. “Hudson owns the entire resort. It’s the largest hospitality establishment on the island of Smuggler’s Hideaway.”

Naomi snorts. “Which isn’t saying much.”

Is she dissing Smuggler’s Hideaway? No one disses the island in my presence. “I grew up here. As did Hudson.”

She holds up a hand. “I didn’t mean any disrespect.”

I force a smile. I know how to deal with mean girls. “None taken. Are you staying on the island?”

“We’re here for the weekend,” Seth answers. “I heard Clark was here laying low and came to check things out.”

“And rehash your glory days,” Naomi says.

Seth leans back in his chair and smirks. “I’m still living my glory days.”

“What are you doing these days?” Hudson asks.

“Assistant coach of our old team.”

“Is the head coach still a ball breaker?”

Seth snorts. “Jerry hasn’t changed a damn bit. Do you remember the time he made us run laps in the snow because we were fifteen minutes late to practice?”

“I wasn’t fifteen minutes late.”

Seth rolls his eyes. “Of course, you weren’t.” He focuses on me. “This guy is the epitome of discipline. He doesn’t shirk from his responsibilities.”

“It’s better than sneaking out to the bar and getting drunk on tequila shots.”

Seth shakes his head. “I still don’t remember what happened that night.”

“And yet you didn’t learn your lesson.”

Seth shrugs. “There’s more to life than football practice.”

Naomi frowns. “There is?”

Seth throws an arm around her chair. “Football is a religion in our family.”

Hudson nods in agreement. “Football’s a damn good religion to have.”

“Do you remember the time you ran for nearly one hundred yards to make a touchdown in overtime? I believed in God then.”

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