Page 25 of What About Us
“Bullshit,” I say with my mouth full.
He watches me chew and then drops his eyes back to the computer. “Feeling a little off, I guess,” he finally answers with a shrug.
My brows come together. “You getting sick? I heard you in the shower again last night before I woke you up with my alarm.”
He looks up and blinks twice. “I was cold.”
“You seemed ok last night. Kept me toasty warm.” I smirk. When he doesn’t return it or even look up, I add, “You sure you’re ok?”
“I’m fine.” His tone sounds anything but.
I tilt my head and study the top of his head as he’s dropped his gaze back to the computer. I don’t believe him. Setting my mug down, I round the edge of the counter. He looks up at me as I lean in, propping an elbow next to his laptop.
“See, the thing is…” I say, pressing my finger to the crease between his eyes and giving it a little poke. “This ‘what the fuck’ line tells me you’re full of shit, Huddy. Grumpy doesn’t look good on you. That’s Hank’s schtick.”
He swats my hand away, but his expression is playful. “You’re annoying.”
I give him a big smile and bat my lashes at him before my eyes flicker to the computer screen. He’s on the local real estate page for Timber Forge. Disappointment drops into my stomach like a lead balloon. I don’t want them to move out. I love having them here. Is it really that bad living with me?
I push it away and lift my chin at the screen. “You going somewhere?” I ask, forcing nonchalance into my voice.
He huffs out a breath through his nose, looking so disheartened. “Not fucking likely.”
“Ok,” I say as I pull out a stool and drop into it, my knee bumping with his. “Start talking.”
He leans back and scrubs a hand over his face, letting out another long breath. “I miss my bar.” I think that’s all he’ll say, but then he continues. “I guess I’m just feeling a little unsettled.”
The corners of my lips turn down in a slight frown. I run a hand down his arm, then give his hand a squeeze. “I’m sorry, Huddy.”
He nods. “I didn’t think it would be this hard.” He swallows. “I mean, I guess I did, but… I don’t know.” He waits a couple beats before speaking again. “It doesn’t do any good to dwell on it though, you know?”
“Yeah, but it’s a lot. You loved that place. You did amazing things with it. You have every right to be sad.”
I study the side of his face while he stares at the screen on his laptop. Everything he’s gone through in the last two years—his marriage ending; his daughter falling deathly ill, forcing him into a completely new normal; managing that alone; selling his bar; the move back home; and juggling it all as a single parent. It’d be a lot for anyone.
He nods, looking over at me. “Yeah.”
“What can I do to help?”
He shakes his head. I’m sure his smile is meant to be reassuring, but I see right through it when he reaches over and squeezes my knee. “Nothing. I’m ok.”
I can tell he doesn’t want to talk about it anymore, but finding a place to live should be the least of his worries. I want him to know that he has time, and my house is his for as long as he and Paige need it.
I stand up and walk back around the counter to where I abandoned my breakfast. “You’ll figure it out, Huddy. You always do. And there’s no rush. I’ve got plenty of room. I mean, I know you’ll eventually get your own place, but if it helps, I really did mean it when I said you can stay as long as you need. I love having you here.”
When he looks up at me, that easy smile is back on his face. It feels like sunshine. “You just like us being here so I’ll continue feeding you and being your human pillow.”
I shoot him a snarky grin. “Well, yeah. You have to make it up to me somehow for always cheating at chess.” I wrap my bagel in a napkin and sling my purse over my shoulder.
He chuckles. Scooping up his laptop, he stands and turns to go. “Have a good day, Jameson.”
“You, too. Love you, Huddy.”
“Love you, too.”
“Morning, Allie!” I call out as I step through the front door of Timber Haven. Setting my bag on the table just inside the entryway, I throw a wave in her direction when she pops her head out of the kitchen.
The smell of cinnamon rolls and brewing coffee wafts my way. There is nothing like a warm cinnamon roll and a cup of coffee first thing in the morning, especially if they’re made by Hudson’s sister, Natalie. She owns the bakery in town and delivers to various businesses all over Timber Forge.
