Page 88 of Playing With Fire
“Mom, you remember when I called last night, I told you that Greg has threatened Hud’s job?” My mom nods. “Well, he threatened his sister’s job too. She has two kids, ages three and four. Is there any chance you and dad would be willing to maybe watch all three kids if it came down to it? Just temporarily, until we get everything figured out? Hudson’s parents aren’t local so Hudson and Monica only really have each other. You guys could keep them at my new apartment if you don’t wan?—”
“Say no more, Shan. Of course, we’ll watch them,” my mom says, interrupting me mid-sentence.
“Thank you.” The relief over having childcare in place is huge. Monica may not love it, but I’m working hard to find solutions.
When we say goodbye to my parents, my mom pulls me in for one more hug and whispers in my ear, “The way you look at him…there were never hearts in your eyes like that for Gregor.”
Sometimes simple observations have the ability to free us the most.
My mom lets us take Serafina’s car seat from her car and get it set up in Hud’s truck since mine is still in Gregor’s minivan on the side of the highway and as soon as we’re backing out ofthe driveway, Hudson makes a call. The ring through the Bluetooth speakers is abruptly cut off by a male voice.
“Hey, Hud. Any news?”
“Hey, Jake, you’re on speaker. Shannon and her daughter are in the truck with me. Any chance you and Dyl are free for dinner tonight at my place? I’d like to get everyone caught up to speed at the same time.”
“Yeah, sure, man. Hi, Shannon, heard a lot about you,” the disembodied voice says.
“Same,” I reply before he starts speaking to Hudson again.
“I think Knox is on at the fire station tonight though. You know he’s been picking up more shifts recently.”
“Yeah. I’m worried about him,” Hudson answers. “It’s like he’stryingto work himself to death. But, this won’t impact him or Phoe quite as much, so it’s okay if he can’t make it.”
“We’ll be there. What time?”
“Four. There’s a lot to discuss. And is there any chance I could borrow the Range Rover for a week or so? I’ll explain when I see you tonight.” My eyes snap to Hudson’s. Who is this friend that just has an extra eighty-thousand-dollar car lying around?
“No problem. Dyl just changed the oil in it a couple days ago.”
“Awesome. See you tonight.”
When they hang up, Hudson repeats similar calls with his sister and another guy named Phoenix who refers to me asPink Aviator Hotnesseven though Hudson told him I can hear him.
“Please don’t tell him you think he’s hot even though youwillthink he’s hot. And may the Lord be with us if he and your mother are ever in the same room.”
I laugh, reaching into my purse for my ChapStick when my fingers brush my cell phone. Myrealcell phone. Pulling it out, I ask, “Do you think I should turn it on?”
Hudson nods. “Yes, and I think you should call me and text me from that number from now on since we don’t have to hide anymore. We’ll dispose of our prepaid phones tonight, before they can be subpoenaed. We’ll move your number to your own phone plan tomorrow.”
So many details in everyday life I just haven’t sorted through yet.
Chapter 36
Hudson
Everyone trickles in right on time, including Monica since it’s Saturday, but she is clearly not happy about it. She’s scared and pissed and she doesn’t have a great poker face so everyone knows exactly how she feels as soon as she gets out of her SUV. But when she greets Shannon, there’s no additional animosity directed toward her.
In fact, the women greet each other with a firm handshake and a no-nonsense head nod. A second later, Camden recognizes Shannon and says, “Dr. Shannon! Look! My finger’s all better!”
Shannon squats down to Cam’s eye-level and makes a show of inspecting his finger before declaring him strong and brave to have survived the chocolate blister. He beams up at her before running after his sister into my house to find their favorite toys.
“You’re good with kids,” Monica states.
Shannon gives a genuine laugh and flashes me a smile. “That’s a recent development actually.”
Phoenix arrives next and… “Goddammit, Phoenix,” I groan when he gets out of his big truck wearing ass-huggingWranglers and a white wifebeater that’s under an open plaid button-down. Instead of his usual ballcap, he’s sporting a white cowboy hat, and even as a straight man, I have to admit he looks fucking edible.
His cocky smile, and the wink he flashes me, tells me knows it.
