Page 78 of Worth the Risk

Now he looks at me, confused. “What does that mean?”

“My mind is a little overloaded right now, and I haven’t slept so great. Can I see how I feel at the end of the week?” I say it before even thinking it over.

But Hudson’s disapproval is apparent on his face. “Piper… I’m going a little crazy on the merry-go-round of hot-cold-hot. I need to know that you’re on board with this life. I can’t make it disappear. So yes, being with me means you are probably going to have to get out of your comfort zone more than you are accustomed, because I want to be with someone whowantsto be at my games and there for me, not dragged along.”

I hold my hand up. “I don’t think we should talk about this now. You’re tired, and April is downstairs.”

“No, we’re not going to talk about this now. In fact, I don’t want to talk about it until you’ve thought this all through and have made a decision that you’re comfortable with. As much as I love you, you’re bringing out an uneasiness that I haven’t felt in years.”

Shit. I’m ruining this, but he’s right, and I need to clarify my standpoint and thoughts before we discuss it further.

“You’re right,” is all I can say.

And just like that, we have our first fight.

* * *

I throwthe remote for the fireplace to the side and look at April who is studying me intently while she pours herself a glass of wine at the coffee table in Hudson’s living room.

“It’s kind of weird seeing you in this habitat. It’s like you are the lady of the house.”

I snort a laugh. “What in the world does that mean?”

She takes a sip of her wine. “You know where everything is, walk around like it’s your home, and seem calm here. I’m going to assume most of your romantic rendezvous with my uncle took place here, so that explains it, I guess.”

My jaw flexes side to side. “Your thought process might be on point. And yes, I feel at home here, whether Hudson’s here or not.”

“That’s a big deal.”

I shrug it off and instead glance at the television that is mounted on the wall and that we put on pause. “Is it bad if I watch it again?”

April smiles at me. “Kind of sickly cute.”

I press the rewind button, with guilt plaguing me. Pressing play, Hudson appears on the screen in the clip that he mentioned from earlier. It’s the sports channel that I’ve gotten used to watching in recent months. I know they always have media following the team around while in season and today one of the reporters stopped Hudson after practice.

On the screen, Hudson is in jeans and a long-sleeved shirt with the team logo. He folds his arms as he listens to the man with the mic ask a question. “Everyone is counting on a win this week, but the Cougars have a strong defense from what we’ve seen this season. How are you feeling about tomorrow’s away game?”

Hudson’s face remains stoic, with a hint of cocky confidence twisting on the corner of his mouth. “My guys have been practicing hard and continue to study the plays, whether we need to have a strong offense or defense tomorrow. We also have a lot of new blood on the team this year, and I’m confident that they will bring some fresh energy to the game to support some of the best returning players in the industry that have come back this year.”

“Would you say you’re not going to lose sleep tonight about tomorrow’s game?” The man with the mic returns the device to Hudson so he can speak.

“Nah. Only coaches who don’t have confidence in their guys lose sleep.”

The commentator laughs. “Fair enough. There is also a rumor, thanks to a recent video, that you’re now sharing your life with someone off the field. Care to comment?”

Hudson’s grin is now uncontrollable, yet it’s so incredibly suave. “My personal life has no effect on tomorrow’s game, but it’s true that I can now say life is better when you know there’s someone waiting for you after a winning game, and I’m lucky that it’s Piper.”

“Will she be at your home game next week?”

“Whether Piper is there or not, I’m sure she’ll be wearing a Winds shirt wherever she is.” Hudson looks at the camera, and I swear every woman in America may just melt from that glint in his eye that feels like a secret message only for me, yet the female population’s minds may be running wild.

I turn the television off, and I know I have a silly look on my face.

“Geez, no pressure or anything. My uncle really knows how to lay it on thick, right?”

Rolling my eyes, I sigh. “A tad. He likes to get what he wants, I guess. It’s kind of endearing, and I’m maybe an idiot for thinking that.”

“Nah, he takes care of you. Maybe now I can go to games with you and we can find me a hot sports guy. Before Hudson would never introduce me to anyone, but maybe you can soften his stance for me. I mean, you did draw me a wedding dress that I’ll need to use one day.” April crosses her legs, with her feet resting on the sofa.

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