Page 22 of Here's to Tomorrow

6

Rae

“Maura, bathroom?” I ask sweetly.

“No, I’m good.” She’s not even looking at me.

“Maura!” I put a little more bite behind her name this time, causing her to finally turn her head.

“Fine,” she huffs. “Would you boys please excuse us?”

I grab her arm and drag her to the restroom, turning on her as soon the door swings closed.

“What in the hell, Maura? Hudson! It was supposed to be Tucker, who I don’t even like so I’m not sure why you were going to set me up with him, but still! I had prepared for him, wasn’t sweating the date too bad because, again, I’m not into him. I wasn’tdatedateready. Then you go and surprise me with Hudson and you didn’t give me a single heads-up. I mean, hey, thanks for this because Idolike him, but why no heads-up?”

“Chill, woman! Itwassupposed to be Tucker, but only because he’s Tanner’s brother. Tanner wanted him here, not me. Besides, I figured we could grill Tucker on Hudson, get some info or something. If I’d had any choice at all in the matter, I would have picked Hudson from the start and I would have at least warned you about that. You know that. You’re just freaking out because Hudson’s here and you’resointo him.”

I huff and turn toward the sinks, leaning against them as I eye myself in the mirror. Maura starts primping next to me.

“Just relax, Rae. It’s okay. Hudson was obviously as surprised to see you as you were to see him. It’s all going to be okay. You two are cute together, by the way. Like ridiculously cute. You can tell he likes you too. He keeps leaning in toward you.”

I know she’s saying all this just to make me feel better, but a part of me desperately wants to believe she’s right. I like Hudson, and while I don’t know him all that well, I can tell I’m going to keep liking him—or at least I hope so. I’m usually a good judge of character, if I do say so myself. I can peer into someone’s eyes and read them like a book almost every time, and I hope this is one of those times, because when I look into Hudson’s eyes, I see determination, love, longing, familiarity, hope, and even sadness. I want to find out what causes every one of those feelings I see.

I feel like Ihaveto know.

“I can see you doubting me. You think I’m just saying all this to make you feel better. I’m not. Look at me, Rae.” She spins me her way, staring directly into my eyes. “I promise I’m not lying to you. I can see something there. I’m not sure what it is, but it’s something, and I think you should explore it.”

She knows we well enough to know about my eye contact thing. I know she’s telling the truth based on that alone. I exhale loudly. “Thank you.”

She nods and we exit the bathroom because that’s all there is, all that’s needed between us: honesty and trust.

As we walk back to the table, Hudson and Tanner are in a heated discussion of some sort. Tanner flicks his eyes over Hudson’s shoulder and sees us, causing them both to stiffen a bit and stop talking.

I mentally shrug and brush it off. Whatever it is, it’s none of my business.

The table is quiet when we sit down. I’m not sure what they were talking about, but whatever it was, it’s lingering. I attempt to distract them both because it looks like they may jump over the table at one another.

“So, do you come here often?” I ask Hudson. Hudson laughs, almost choking on the Dr. Pepper he’s drinking. Tanner gapes at me and Maura rolls her eyes in anoh-my-god-did-I-really-take-her-out-in-publicway. She loves me.

“Actually, I kind of do. Tucker plays here a lot, one a week or so. That’s how I discovered the place—watching him play.”

I’m shocked because Tucker didn’t seem like the musical type to me. I mean, I don’t know him well, but I pride myself on reading people and I didn’t see that one coming.

“No shit?”

“Shit,” Hudson deadpans. I feel the corners of my mouth tip up a bit.

“What the fuck, Tanner? Why didn’t you tell me your hot brother plays the guitar?” Maura scolds, getting all death-glare-like with Tanner.

“Chill, babe. I didn’t mention it because he’s always trying to steal my thunder. He’s not even that great at it,” Tanner pouts.

“That’s bullshit, Tanner, and you know it. He’s damn good. Why he hasn’t pursued a career in music, I have no idea. He loves this place though. Coming and watching all the different types of performances: the poetry, the skits, the comedy routines, the other musicians, all of it. I love it too. It’s eye-opening, really.”

“How so?” Maura asks. I may have forgotten she and Tanner were even here—Hudson’s voice is so mesmerizing.

“It’s kind of along the lines of what Rae said earlier. Think about it. All these people who get up there on that stage”—he points to the stage in the very center of the building—“pour their hearts out to strangers. That’s amazing. Not only that, but it’s eye-opening to know that those people—those brave people who can bring the room to complete silence, make others cry or laugh with their words—they’re people we know. People we live next to, work next to.Family.Anyone, really. It’s just eye-opening to know that such talented people are living among us day to day. I love it.”

I’m speechless. I can’t believe he just said all that. It was so beautiful, poetic, and true. I think I may have just fallen in love with his brain.

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