Page 59 of The Promises We Break

Nothing like the exhilaration I felt when Hudson gave me his.

“Ember, you love me. You just felt confused. It’s normal.” He continues to push.

“I met someone,” I reply in a whisper. Not because I’m ashamed, but because I don’t want to be cruel.

“Yeah, your parents mentioned you’ve been staying with a friend, but I know you, Em. You just told them that so you could get away. You forget how well I know you, baby. You just needed time, but time’s up.” He takes a step toward me. “It’s time to come home.”

“She is home.” Hudson’s deep gravelly voice thunders through my body from behind me.

“Who are you?” Elliot tips his head to look behind me, although Hudson’s colossal force is unavoidable in the now crowded space.

“Hudson Byrnes. Ember’s husband.” He stands next to me, and instead of wrapping his arm around my shoulder in ownership, his hand reaches down to my side, interlacing his fingers through mine, giving me both my own power and his strength at the same time.

Elliot’s face falls. To the floor. Hard. He blinks, confused.

I feel… bad. I don’t want to hurt him. He doesn’t mean to hurt me. He just has no idea how to let me have a voice of my own. He never has.

“Em…” He looks back at me, then down to my hand that reveals the two-carat emerald-cut diamond on the same finger he tried to claim. But not for himself, not for me, and certainly not for love. For him, it’s ownership and image, all for the benefit of my father.

“Thanks for bringing her car. Do you need a ride to the airport?” Hudson asks, ending this unwelcome reunion.

“N-No…” His eyes glaring between me, Hudson, and the door. “No, I’m good.” His voice decibels softer than ever before.

He steps forward, dangling the keys from his pointer finger before dropping them in my outstretched hand.

“So, I’ll see ya, then?” He pauses, like I could possibly change my mind and step to his side.

“Bye, Elliot.” I squeeze Hudson’s hand. A silent thank you for helping me.

We watch Elliot retreat a few steps before turning around, giving us his back, and walking through the glass doors of the lobby onto the sidewalk and out of view.

I breathe for what feels like the first time since I stepped out of the elevators.

Realization hits me. It’s not the first time, but the first time it sinks in to my core like an immovable root.

My parents truly don’t give a shit about anything that has to do with any choice I want to make for myself. I thought maybe they just wanted to insist they think they know what’s best for me, but it’s deeper than that. They don’t have any faith in me. Who I am. My choices.

And they don’t care.

My heart feels like it’s breaking, tearing into miniature fragments of dust that can never be repaired.

No matter what I do, I will never be good enough for them.

32

HUDSON

“Hudson, stop by my office before you head out, will you?”

“Will do, Coach,” I reply, as I finish tying my shoe.

I remove my AirPods from my ears, which are currently blaring my pre and post music playlist, consisting of Green Day’s entire arsenal of songs. I’ve done that my entire baseball career, and even though we don’t win all the games, it seems to be my superstition, guaranteeing me an injury free game. Which is always a win.

Our team has been slaughtering it lately. We’re on a winning streak, and it’s a relief knowing that, not only am I contributing, but I’m a big factor in the standings with the teammates I’ve been lucky enough to play with.

Callahan and I can easily predict each other’s moves on the field, like a color-coded chess board that only he and I can see. I know exactly what options we have, what direction we can go, and we’re both headed on the same path every time. I’ve played with a lot of different people in my career, and he’s been theeasiest to fall into rhythm with. Other than my brother, of course. Which undoubtedly—regardless of our strained relationship—we somehow played like twin souls. We were practically unstoppable on the field.

“Good game, Burnsy.” Callahan reaches his fist out. I bump it as I stand from the bench in front of my locker.

---