Page 70 of Here's to Tomorrow

17

Hudson

I spend the next week alternating my time between Joey, my apartment, and Rae.

Joey’s been busy running back and forth to a school play ofThe Wizard of Oz. I’ve had the chance to sit in on a few rehearsals, and nothing is more adorable than watching a bunch of seven-year-olds “act”. Plus, Joey makes a great Cowardly Lion.

Every moment spent at my apartment is focused on getting this Pembrooke shit moving along. The amount of time it’s taking is ridiculous. I would have turned my mom’s friend down so I could stay with Joey more often if I knew it was going to take a month and a half, but I couldn’t let my mom down, couldn’t leave her hanging.

I miss my kid though. I’m tired of babysitting this apartment. Not going to lie, it’s been nice to have a few extra hours of “me” time that I didn’t have before, but I’m starting to feel guilty for thinking that and it’s starting to eat away at me.

I do my best to push those thoughts out of my head because Logical Hudson knows it’s all just silly parent guilt.

Out of the corner of my eye, I notice the little notification light on my phone blinking. I rush to check it, hoping it’s Rae. No luck; it’s Tucker.

Tucker: Yo. What goes on tonight?

Me: Getting ready to head back to my mom’s and chill with Joey.

Tucker: Huh, figured you’d be at C’s hitting on your little lady friend again.

Rae. A goofy grin spreads across my face just thinking about her.

That mouth of hers continues to amaze me at every turn. Every time we met for coffee, texted our random five questions, or had dinner this past week—which was a lot—she’s said something weird that did nothing but give me a semi in public. Everything about her is a turn-on. I feel like a total dick because I still haven’t kissed her, but I don’t deserve to yet since I haven’t been one hundred percent honest with her about the fact that I’m a dad, even though I almost tried to tell her last week, and that was ruined when she told me she didn’t think she was mom material. If I’m being honest, her confession has kept me guarded—another reason I haven’t kissed her.

Even without having kissed her, I can see myself falling for her, and it’s scary as shit.

But, it can’t be helped, and I can’t be blamed. Rae’s witty, smart, sassy, and beautiful as hell. Hell, just a text conversation is fun with her, something I’ve been lacking a lot of in the last several years—not with Joey, but with life in general. I have to “dad” all the time and don’t have time for adult fun.

One thing I have noticed though? We’ve barely brushed the surface of the more serious topics like her job hunt and wanting to move, or Joey. I can feel her pull back every time we get serious about any of it, and I so do I. We’re both scared, because I think it’s clear we have the potential to destroy one another.

I sigh and text Tuck back.

Me: Nah, it’s Joe’s turn tonight.

Tucker: Damn you and your responsible ass. Tell the little shit hi for me.

Me: Will do, man.

I put my phone back in my pocket and grab my shoes. I’m shoving my right one on when the doorbell starts going crazy.

“Hudson! Why aren’t you answering your phone?” my mom says in a panic, pushing through the door with Joey in tow as soon as I twist the handle.

I frown. “I didn’t get any calls from you. Why? What’s going on? Is something wrong with Joey?” I ask, now thoroughly panicking, grabbing Joey and checking for any signs of damage.

Joey’s wearing a panicked look, probably freaked out by my reaction.

I’m not looking at her, but I canfeelmy mom roll her eyes. “No, you goob. If it were anything bad, I would have gone to the hospital. Joey’s fine.”

I let Joey go, straightening and looking my mom over now. “Is it you then? What’s wrong?”

Again with the eye roll. “Same answer,” she says dryly. “It’s Marcy, the neighbor. Her husband fell off the ladder from the roof. He was rushed to the hospital and Marcy has no one there for her with all her kids being off at college.”

“Say no more. Go. I was just headed over there anyway. Please let Marcy know I’m sorry.”

She gives me a quick hug, kisses Joey, and then she’s gone.

I look to Joey.

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