Page 101 of Here's to Tomorrow

“Thanks. My dad says I get my smarts from him,” she says, pointing an accusing finger right at Hudson.

Hudson groans and I stifle a laugh, becausedamn. She just unknowingly threw Hudson under the bus.

“Thanks, bug,” he mutters.

“So, Hudson, Rae tells me you fixed her car for her. Itisgoing to last longer this time, yes?”

“DAD!” I hiss. “That’s so not even kind of okay!”

Hudson gives a nervous chuckle. “I sure hope so, sir.”

“Right,” I interrupt before my dad can chime in with anything else. “We had better get going, huh? We have a nice little drive ahead of us and I’m sure Joey’s justdyingto get there.”

“Iamclose to death. Can we go now, Daddy?” Joey says, her voice wispy and dramatic.

“We can.” Hudson grabs my bag and walks over to my dad. Using his free hand, he shakes my dad’s again. “It was great to meet you, Ted. I hope our next meeting is longer.”

“Looking forward to it.” Having just met my dad, Hudson has no idea of the meaning behind his words. My dad is going to grill his ass the next time they meet. Even though he’s a nice, easygoing guy, he’sextremelyprotective of Haley and me. There’s no doubt Hudson will be limping away from that encounter.

“It was great meeting you finally, Hudson. You should come over for dinner sometime. I’ll cook,” Haley offers.

“NO!” Dad and I yell at the same time.

Haley huffs and folds her arms over her chest, stomping her foot once. “You two are so rude!”

Hudson shakes his head and laughs. “Joe, say bye. We’re heading out since you’redyingand all.”

“Bye, Rae’s sister. Bye, Old Guy.”

We all laugh and Hudson throws an apologetic look over his shoulder to my father.

As we’re walking out the door, I catch my dad’s eye. He doesn’t look too happy with me right now. I give him my bestI’m sorrylook and he gives me a nod in return, letting me know we’ll discuss this later.

Oops?

* * *

We pull off into a gas station right on the edge of town. Hudson turns to face Joey and Rocky in the back seat.

“You need to pee?” he asks, eyeing Joey, daring her to say no.

She gets the hint and bobs her head up and down. She opens the door some before turning back to me. “Will you go with me, Rae?”

“Of course,” I say, unbuckling my seatbelt and getting out of the car with her.

“I’ll let Rocky out,” Hudson says, meeting us around the front.

“Sounds like a plan, Stan.”

Joey looks up at me with a serious expression. “His name isn’t Stan. It’s Hudson.”

I hear Not Stan laugh as we walk away and inside the gas station.Asshat.

We’re nearing the restrooms when a slimy guy in a shirt that’s way too small for his big gut slides in front of us, a creepy grin on his face.

“Damn, girl.” He whistles appreciatively. “You’rewaytoo young to be a mama. You lookin’ for a daddy? Because I can be yours.”

I wrinkle my nose in disgust and move around him, ignoring his comment.

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