Page 135 of The Sweetest Cruelty: Hudson
I dropped my arms, and he ran his fingertips across my collarbone. “Molly?”
“Yes?” I husked, peering up at his perfect face.
Hudson’s eyes scanned mine with an intense longing look. “Will you be my girl?”
And. I. Almost. Died.
It was a good death, though.
My heart somersaulted in my chest as I threw my arms around his neck again. “Yes. A million times, yes!”
I felt his strong arms slide around my waist as Hudson lifted me against his chest, so I was airborne and swung me around. Again, the crowd roared their approval.
Hudson Gage had just asked me out in front of theentireschool!
As my feet hit the grass again, Hudson leaned down and kissed my nose. He then walked backwards with a cheeky wink and spun around, retrieving his helmet.
I watched as he jogged away, his strong buttocks flexing in those white grass-strained pants. Sweet.
Hudson waved to the crowds as he was met by his brothers and some of his other teammates.
The cheer girls swamped me, all jumping up and down, their faces giddy from what they had just witnessed.
I could see Hudson walking down the sidelines. His teammates were banging him on the back and fist-bumping each other. They were all congratulating him and doing that typical guy thing. They were happy for us, and I loved their over-the-top behaviour.
From the looks of the screen, they were playing the event back as I watched mine and Hudson’s kiss. I didn’t even feel embarrassed as I squinted at that huge version of myself on TV. I didn’tdarelook over to my father.
It was romance personified, and I had never felt so happy. I had a boyfriend, and his name was Hudson Gage. I couldn’t wait to tell Lisa.
And then, across the field, in the middle of the chaos of halftime, I saw my father’s face, and it was anything but happy.
It appeared damage control was needed with my father and his bad opinion of Hudson, and I would do everything in my power to change that.
The cue before the hike came from the centre of the field, dragging my thoughts back. “Blue 22. Blue 22. Hut!” Reed called. And they were off again.
The second half was solid, even more so than the first, and we won, 21-17.
Having removed his helmet, gloves, jersey and padding, Hudson, wearing only his football pants, jogged over and threw his jersey at me. I caught it with a grin, and he blew me a kiss before heading off the field towards the locker rooms. God his abs were fucking divine.
I held it to my chest as the girls made a semi-circle around me, their faces pea green with envy, and I loved it.
I knew the rule. Girlfriends wore their boyfriend’s jerseys; it represented a special connection between a player and his woman. A stamp of ownership, maybe?
It was borderline possessive, but I was only too happy to fall in line with that tradition.
*****
The after-game victory party was in full swing. It was hot and humid, and the sun had started to set, casting a warm hue across the sea as it gently lapped the shore. As we made our way towards the centre of the action, the soft, powdery sand felt cool beneath my bare feet. I clutched my sandals in one hand and Hudson in the other, our fingers tightly entwined.
Clusters of students were scattered across the golden coastline. From the looks of it, they were all at different stages of inebriation, some laughing and drinking, others dancing or making out. There were even a handful of people in the water.
A large roaring bonfire had been built partway down the beach, lighting the sky with an orange glow, the flames licking the air like snakes’ tongues.
The music was pumping for a Bluetooth speaker set by the camping tables with beer kegs and numerous other tasty beverages.
My skin prickled as the breeze blew across my legs. I had chosen to wear the gold bikini I purchased on my shopping trip with Harper beneath Hudson’s jersey and denim cut-offs.
“Are you OK?” Hudson said, tugging me against his side. I knew he asked due to the number of people staring. Harper had messaged me as soon as she’d heard about the scene her brother caused during the game.
