Page 83 of Here's to Tomorrow

20

Rae

“Did you need any help, Elle?”

Hudson’s mother is bouncing back and forth around the kitchen, wearing the mostStepford Wivesapron I’ve ever seen. She resembles Hudson in the face, but it’s very clear he must take after his father the most. Elle’s hair is a lot lighter than his, and her eyes are a bright green. I guess that’s where he got his weird combo.

“Oh no, dear. You sit. You’re a guest,” she says, pulling out a barstool for me. I take the seat. “Tell me about yourself, Rae.”

I smother a laugh, thinking back to when I said the exact same thing to Hudson.

“Well, I graduated college back in June. Right now, I’m working at Clyde’s as a waitress and occasional bartender. Other than that, I’m working on finding a job in the city for marketing.”

“Marketing, huh? Hudson told me about you helping the shop. He said he’s already had a few hits off the ads and new website. Thank you for that. That little shop means the world to him.”

“I can tell. His face lights up when he talks about it, almost as much as it does when he talks about Joey.”

The corners of Elle’s mouth dip down and her eyes shift around the room. She must like what she sees—or rather doesn’t see. She clears her throat, turning her gaze back on me.

“How do you feel about that, Rae? About Joey?” she asks in a low voice.

Rae Kamden, meet Mama Bear Elle. She looks tough. Smile through it girl, you’ve got this.

“Honestly, Elle? I don’t think kids are really my thing.” Her shoulders tense just as Hudson’s did last night. I continue, “But that stems from my own personal demons, I think. I’m smart enough to separate the two, or at least I hope I am. I like Joey and I like Hudson—a lot.I’m willing to try anything when it comes to him. So, I’m going to give it a go and do my best. I can’t say I won’t mess up with Joey, or with Hudson, but I’ll try my hardest not to.”

Elle nods, thinking over everything I just said. “I admire your honesty, Rae, and I appreciate that you’re willing to try. I know it can’t be easy for you to do all this, especially since I just found out this morning that my son sprung this on you last night. Not his best move, honestly,” she says, a small smile playing at her lips. It’s eerily similar to Hudson’s. “Thank you for taking a chance on them, and for understanding him. Just, please, if you feel it getting to be too much, get out before everyone gets hurt. It will be easier in the long run.”

I nod my head in agreement because it really is only fair to everyone. “I promise.”

She gives me a full smile this time. “Great. Let’s go get this movie night started then. I’ll grab the pizzas that are warming in the oven if you want to grab the drinks.”

I do as she asks, also grabbing some napkins and paper plates. We walk into the living room to find Tucker, Gaige, Hudson, and Joey all having a silent contest of some sort.

“You boys hungry?” Elle asks, setting down the pizzas. Joey animatedly motions to herself. “Sorry, sorry. Are you boys andJoeyhungry?”

They all nod.

“Who’s winning?” I ask while handing out the plates and napkins.

“I am!” Joey says proudly. The guys laugh and she groans, realizing she just spoke. “Aw man.”

“You owe us each twenty-five cents. Pay up, sucker,” Gaige says.

“Puh-lease,” I say, rolling my eyes. “Joey, you may as well keep those quarters. I’m sure these boys will be owing you by the end of the night.”

Joey sticks her tongue out at Gaige.

“Okay, before we all start this excellent and well-deserved movie night by watching…” Hudson starts, turning to Joey for an answer.

“Monsters, Inc.!”

“Nice one, kiddo.” She beams. “Before the feature presentation ofMonsters, Inc., I have an announcement.” He pauses dramatically and turns to his daughter with a huge grin. “Joey, how would you like to move out of Nana’s and live with me in our own home?”

Joey jumps off the couch excitedly. “Finally!” she shouts and then turns to Elle. “No offends, Nana, but I miss my daddy and Rocky so much!”

Elle barely manages to smother a laugh at Joey’s incorrect use of ‘offense’.

“Nooffensetaken, baby girl.”

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