Page 34 of What About Us
“I did.” Hudson nods as Paige comes up and takes my hand. “Thought I’d get this one closer to family.” He ruffles Paige’s hair.
“Just you two, then?”
“Yep!” Paige says, squinting up at Trevor. “Mommy left and went to dance in Paris. She’s a ballerina. She’s the prettiest one, too,” she says matter-of-factly. “Isn’t she, Daddy?” She doesn’t wait for him to answer, before jabbering on. “She’s going to love Timber Forge when she comes back."
I bite the inside of my cheek and slide a glance to Hudson, who doesn’t seem fazed by her commentary. Trevor’s gaze bounces back and forth between Hudson and his daughter, looking a little uneasy. I, however, grit my teeth and mentally punch Tristen in the face. I’ll never understand her leaving Paige. And Hudson. He was always so good to her. She never deserved him.
Hudson has tried to get Paige to understand that Tristen will never set foot in Timber Forge, let alone come back to them. But she insists it will happen one day. I’m not sure if he’s just given up hope on trying to make her see, or if he just doesn’t want to get into airing his dirty laundry in front of Trevor.
“Now, we live with Finnley.” Paige continues, turning her bright smile on me. I shoot her a wink and squeeze her hand.
Trevor smiles down at Paige, and then turns his attention back to Hudson. “You looking for work?” he asks, with a slightly sheepish smile.
Hudson looks surprised. “Maybe. You need some help?”
Trevor tips his head in the direction of his wife and kids, who are now settled on their blanket across the square. “I had to let a bartender go last night. Sticky fingers.”
Hudson shakes his head. “Anyone I know?”
“No.” He shakes his head once. “He was only here a couple of months.”
“Well, I’m happy to help until you can find someone more permanent.”
“That’d be great,” he says. “I’ve got some other stuff to run by you, too, if you’ve got some time?”
“Of course.”
Paige nudges Hudson. “Daddy, I’msohungry,” she says with an apologetic look at Trevor.
Hudson nods and hands her the hot dog.
“We’ll go find a spot to sit,” I tell Hudson. Paige and I head off in the direction of the sea of blankets and lawn chairs. We pick a spot down from Trevor’s family, and after I get our blanket spread out, I help Paige open her water and chips.
“I forgot to do my insulin,” she says, and glances toward to where Hudson is still chatting.
“Can you do it yourself?” I ask.
She nods and unzips the little fanny pack around her waist and pulls out her insulin pump. “Where’s your pump? Don’t you need to do yours, too?” she asks with a tilt of her head, then glances at my arm. The edge of my monitor is barely visible.
“Already did it,” I tell her. It’s not a complete lie, just a bit of an omission. I did give myself a half dose before we left the house. I may not have a pump anymore, but my monitor still works. And sure, the pens are kind of a pain to carry around, but I make it work. Mostly.
“Can you help me with my ketchup, Finnley?”
“Of course.” I put three whole packets on it before she’s satisfied with the ratio of ketchup to hot dog and bun.
“You’re gonna turn into a tomato,” I tease and she giggles.
“I love you, Finnley,” she says before she turns her attention to her food and digs in.
A lump forms in my throat, my chest gets tight, and my eyes suddenly prick with tears. I blink a few times, while staring down at the top of her head. She’s told me she loves me before, but after her asking me to the Mommy and Me Day, it feels vastly different this time.
I clear my throat. “I love you, too, sweet girl.”
“Can I have a napkin?” Paige’s question pulls me out of my thoughts, and when she looks up, she’s got ketchup all over her face. It’s like a giant red smile.
I laugh with a sniffle. “Here you go,” I say, handing her one.
Soon after, Hudson comes striding across the grass. He pushes a hand through his hair as he sits, and I hand him half of the sandwich.
