I just shook my head.

  “Unfortunately, I need to get back out there now, though. Jonathan has to leave early tonight.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry.”

  “Nothing for you to be sorry about. I wish I could spend more time with you. Let me know when you want to go out. Any night. I’ll make it work.”

  “I need Joey to be home with Matty.”

  “I understand.”

  “Weekends are usually tough for me.”

  “I don’t care what night it is.”

  “I think Thursday will work. Is that okay with you?”

  “Absolutely. Double check and let me know. I’m free whenever you are. I’ll make sure of it.”

  “You have a business to run. You can’t just take off anytime.”

  “For you, I will.”

  “Hudson.”

  “My employees are amazing, and I’m always here. They can handle things for a few hours. They do it all the time.”

  I nodded. “Okay. If you’re sure.”

  “Definitely. Check your schedule and Joey’s and let me know.” He kissed me again quickly, then pulled back and moved toward the door.

  I followed him back into the bar. He didn’t touch me or anything when we were in view of others, but I felt his gaze on me like a caress. Goldie was sitting at the end of the bar with a pink drink that looked good. I grabbed her glass and took a sip.

  “That’s club soda,” I said, making a face.

  “Um, yeah. I’m driving. Jonathan added a splash of grenadine so it’s pretty.”

  I chuckled. “As long as it’s pretty.”

  Goldie winked at me. “All set?”

  I nodded. “We’re going on a date Thursday night.”

  “Good for you.”

  “As long as my boys are okay with all of this, then yes.”

  “They will be. I’m sure of it.”

  “I hope so.”

  Both boys were on the couch watching a movie when I got home. They barely looked up at me when I walked in. I put my purse down and set my boots in the closet, then sat in the chair Hudson slept in more than two months earlier.

  I was so embarrassed that day, waking up and realizing he was there. I lashed out at him, but he kept coming back. He always came back. Something Nick never did.

  “You okay, Mom?” Joey asked when a commercial came on.

  “Yeah. I wanted to talk to you boys about something.”

  Joey and Matty exchanged a look and shifted in their seats. The commercial played in the background, muddling my thoughts.

  “I’m dating someone. We’ve been seeing each other for a few weeks, but we started talking before that. He’s really kind and smart and funny. I like spending time with him.”

  “Do we get to meet him?” Matty asked.

  I nodded. This was the hard part. Admitting who it was. “You already know him, actually. I’ve been dating Hudson.”

  “Oh, cool. Hudson’s awesome,” Matty said.

  I glanced at Joey. He hadn’t said anything. He didn’t look happy, but he didn’t look angry either. I wasn’t sure what he was thinking.

  “We’re taking things very slowly right now. Nothing here is going to change. But I wanted you guys to know.”

  “I like Hudson,” Matty said. “Are you going to kiss him?”

  “She already has,” Joey said.

  “Yes, I have, but how do you know that?”

  “I saw you two on New Year’s Eve,” Joey admitted. “When you went outside, I went to see what was taking you so long and I saw you two. I asked him about it—”

  “You asked Hudson?” Why didn’t he tell me?

  “Yeah. Man to man. He needed to explain what his intentions toward you were.”

  My heart melted for my little boy. He wanted to protect me. To make sure I was okay. Instead of talking to me, he went to the man who kissed me.

  “What did Hudson say?”

  “He said he really likes you and that he’s not going to hurt you.”

  I exhaled a laugh, not willing to admit to myself how much of a relief that was.

  “Are you okay with me dating him?” I asked Joey directly. He had more contact with Hudson than Matty and knew him in a different way. I didn’t want it to be awkward for Joey at work.

  Joey thought about it for a minute, then nodded. “I wasn’t sure at first. I thought maybe he would be weird around me. He’s been the same so far. If anyone at work says something, I don’t think he’ll brush it off.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I don’t know. If another busboy says I’m getting extra shifts because Hudson is dating you or if a server says I get more tips or something.”

  “Have you had issues with anyone saying anything?”

  “No, Mom, I’m just… I know how this town works, okay? I know what people say. It’s not always easy being the son of the guy who skipped town or the grandson of the people who took your money and ran. People have talked about us my whole life. It’s all dying down, but you dating the owner of the local bar is going to start these assholes talking again.”

  “Language,” I growled.

  Joey sighed. “Sorry.”

  I took a breath and looked at my son. He reminded me so much of his father at times that it hurt, but Nick never had the compassion or care for others that Joey has. Joey got all the good parts of both of us, and he turned them into a boy who was becoming a man with a good mind and a solid strength. He was someone I was proud to call my son.

  “I didn’t know you heard all those things people said,” I admitted. “Living here was never easy for me growing up. People didn’t expect much from me, and I lived up to their expectations. My parents didn’t have money for me to go to college, so they told me I was too stupid to even think about it. When I started working, they made fun of me wanting more for myself than minimum wage jobs. I gave them money because I thought they would see that I was working hard and I wanted to help them. They could barely afford to stay here because they drank and smoked and wasted their money on stupid things. I wanted them to be proud of me and how much money I was earning, but they were just horrible people who hated everyone and everything. They took the money I gave them, and the money I hadn’t given them, and they left town while I was at work one day. Just vanished. I couldn’t afford to pay for this place by myself, so I moved in with your dad.”

  “We all know what a peach he was,” Joey said sarcastically.

  “I know. But he’s your father, and for all his faults—”

  “All he has are faults,” Joey said.

  “He’s still your father, Joey. He wasn’t good to me, but he was never abusive. He was just not interested in being a father. But he’s the one who missed out on not being a part of your lives. And all those people out there who like to talk like they know anything, they have no idea what really happened in either situation.”

  “Why don’t you tell them?” Matty asked.

  I shook my head. “It’s not worth it. They’re not worth it. Do you know Jeremy’s dad?”

  Matty nodded at the mention of his best friend.

  “Do you know what he does for a living?”

  Matty shook his head.

  “Because it doesn’t matter. If he’s a good father to Jeremy, it doesn’t matter what his job is. Because you know a person is about a lot more than how much money they earn.”

  “Not everyone thinks that,” Joey said.

  “I know. And you’re always going to encounter people who will think less of you because you grew up here. I wanted to get out of here when I was a teenager, and if I’d taken the money I was making and saved it instead of giving it to my parents, I would have. The only way I did was moving in with your father. When he left, I couldn’t afford where we were and had to move back here. I never believed in myself, and I am so happy you fought through my fears and believed in yourself and want to go to college. It scares me, but I want you to have everything you desire in life. And if that means getting away from here and finding your own path, I want you to do that. But do it for you, not because of them. I’ve spent a lot of years trying to outrun my past and trying to live up to or live down the things others said about me. It’s not a good life.”

  “Is that why you like Hudson? Because he doesn’t treat people that way?” Joey asked.

  I thought about it for a minute and nodded. “I guess that’s part of it. I made assumptions about him when you started working there, and I’ve treated him poorly because of who I thought he was, but I’ve gotten to know him and I know he’s a good man.”

  “He bought me video games,” Matty said.

  Joey and I laughed at the awe in Matty’s voice.

  “Yes, he did. He’s kind and generous, and he treats people with compassion. I like all those things.”

  “You deserve someone like that, Mom. No matter what your crappy parents or our crappy father ever said or did to you,” Joey insisted.

  “Thank you. Both of you. I’m sorry life hasn’t been easy for you boys, but I think we’re getting better. I think this is going to be a good year for us.”

  “Definitely,” Joey said.

  “Yeah, it is. Maybe Hudson will buy me another video game if you keep dating,” Matty said.

  “Matty! I’m not going to date him so you can get presents,” I said.

  He shrugged. “It was worth a try.”

  Joey and I laughed.

  “You are too much, kid,” I told my youngest.

  “Nah. I think I’m just enough.” Matty smirked.

  He was right. We were all just enough.

  19

  Hudson

  Nine candidates. Damn. I owed Goldie a few drinks. I had no idea where to start, and in a few weeks she delivered me more than enough options, all of them qualified.

  I spent a few days reaching out to them all and setting up interviews for the following week. I knew I’d put it off if I didn’t do it right away, and I knew the business would be much better off if someone else was in charge of the things that involved numbers.

  Plus, I knew I needed to have all distractions aside so I could enjoy my date with Anna that night.

  We’d talked a few times during the week. She said things went well with her boys and that Joey confessed he saw us kissing and asked me about it. She asked that I come to her in the future with anything regarding her sons, and I assured her I would. I had to learn where the lines were, and I would.

  I took the afternoon off so I could shower and change and be presentable when I picked Anna up for our date. She told me she was up for a surprise so I had an entire evening planned. I didn’t know what she liked to do, but I was hopeful she would enjoy the night I had in mind.

  I knew if I didn’t show up for guys’ night, I’d get harassed about it, so once I was ready for my date, I headed back to O’Kelley’s to see my friends and accept whatever shit they were going to dish out.

  James whistled. “Look at you. I didn’t even know you had a head under that hat. Although I’m not surprised it’s shiny.”

  I flipped him off.

  “Nice shirt,” Ian said. “You’re looking a little extra fancy tonight.”

  “What’s the occasion?” Sebastian asked.

  “He has a date,” Knox provided.

  “You can sit with James,” I told him.

  Knox laughed. “You know the old men who come into my hardware store have nothing to do except talk about everyone else. I swear they know more about this town than the rest of us combined.”

  “Except you, I guess,” Rowan said. “Who are you going on a date with?”

  “Anna Charlotte,” I told him.

  “Really?” Rowan asked.

  I nodded. “That okay with you, Officer?”

  Rowan smirked at me. “Of course. I like Anna. She’s had a hard run, but she’s always smiling and friendly. She doesn’t back down.”

  “You sure you can handle her?” Sebastian asked.

  “I’m sure,” I told him.

  “You better be good to her,” James said, all traces of humor gone.

  I met his gaze evenly and nodded. “I intend to be. I’m not playing games with her. We’ve been talking for months and dating for a few weeks. This isn’t a fling.”

  James held my gaze. When he extended his hand to me, I knew that was as good as him giving me his blessing. James and Trinity were friends with Anna and spent time with her over the last few years. Anna and James grew up in the same neighborhood. He did what he could to watch out for her. But that was my job now.

  It felt good to let that thought roll around inside my head. I wanted to be responsible for Anna, Joey, and Matty. I cared about all of them. I didn’t like the idea of another man being in their lives, even someone who was a friend only. I wanted to be the one they went to when they needed things. The one they called for help.

  I would be.

  “Who needs a drink?” I asked them.

  “I do. Got one for me?” Brantley Pierce asked.

  “Always. How are ya?” Brantley and I played baseball together in high school. He was two years ahead of me, and I learned a lot from him. He wanted to be a teacher even then, and the high school was lucky to have him as the baseball coach and the cross-country coach, too.

  “Good. Bored out of my mind, though. I didn’t know I was missing the party on Thursday nights.” Brantley looked down the line and tipped his beer to the others. Life in a small town meant even if they didn’t know each other, they knew each other.

  “Don’t you have like twelve jobs? How are you bored?” Knox asked.

  Brantley shrugged. “I’m single in a town where I’ve either dated most of the single women or I’m teaching their kids. I coach so I’m not sitting around my house breaking shit so I can stay busy.”

  “You definitely broke enough shit when you bought it,” Knox teased.

  Brantley chuckled. “That’s what happens when you buy a fixer upper and have no skills. Speaking of which, his drinks are on my tab. I think I still owe you a few dozen drinks for all the help.”

  “I’ll take that,” Knox said.

  “When does baseball practice start?” I asked Brantley.

  “Not until March. I might lose my mind.”

  “Got any good prospects?” I asked.

  Brantley nodded. “Some real good ones. A few that’ll probably get scholarships if they decide to go to college for baseball. Hey, you should come out and help. Big time athlete like you.”

  I shook my head. “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a field.”

  “Then it’s past time. You were a third baseman, weren’t you?”

  “A lifetime ago.”

  “Doesn’t matter. You did something some of these kids are dreaming about. It’ll be good for them to see it’s possible.”

  “Yeah, but I got hurt. Blew out my knee and had to give it up.”

  Brantley shook his head. “Doesn’t matter. Shit happens. Some of these kids need to see it to believe it, and some need to see there’s life after baseball. Either way, it’ll be good to get you on a field again.”

  I nodded. “I’ll think about it.”

  “He’s got a date,” Knox told him.

  “Yeah? Anyone I know?”

  “You know Joey Charlotte?” James asked.

  “Of course. He played for me last year. Lots of talent but not a lot of confidence. I’m hoping this year that changes since he’s a junior and has a year of varsity under his belt.”

  “Hud’s dating his mom,” Ian told Brantley.

  Brantley’s brows went up. “No shit. Anna’s always willing to do whatever she can to help everyone out. I like her a lot.”

  “So does Hudson,” Knox said.

  “You’re all children. I’m gone. Spending some time with my woman,” I said, tossing the bar towel in the bin.

  They cackled like the teenagers they were acting like.

  “His woman. Wait till Anna hears that one.”

  “He’s so whipped.”

  “He’s a lucky son-of-a-bitch.”

  I waved at that one. I nodded to Jonathan and headed toward the back so I could get to my truck on the square without interference.

  I pulled up in front of Anna’s building two minutes early. I got out of the truck and headed to her door, not wanting to be late. As soon as it opened, none of it mattered.

  Anna wore jeans that hugged her ample curves and showcased her thick thighs and round ass. She had on boots that came up to her knees and a sweater that covered half her butt. A coat was draped over her arm and a purse was slung across her body. Her hair fell in soft waves instead of the ponytail she usually wore. And her eyes were outlined in something dark that made her look mysterious and sexy and all I wanted to do was fall to my knees and thank God the woman thought I was good enough to take her out for a night.

  “Damn,” I breathed.

  She huffed a laugh and smiled. “I was thinking the same.”

  I wore jeans, too, and a brand new shirt that Finley made me buy a year ago. I’d never worn it because I didn’t have anywhere to wear a button-down shirt, but the look in Anna’s eyes said Finley was right, and it was a good shirt.

  “Are you ready to go?” I asked Anna.

  She nodded and reached for the door. “I’m leaving,” she shouted into the apartment.

  Footsteps pounded toward her, and both boys grabbed her from either side. They squeezed her tight like she was the most precious thing in their world and they didn’t want her to go.

  I understood the feeling.

  Joey looked up at me and nodded once. Matty looked up at me and glared. “You better be nice to her.”

  I nodded solemnly. “I promise.”

  Matty pointed two fingers at himself, then two at me. “I’m watching you,” he said in a menacing voice.

  I nodded again, trying not to laugh. It was sweet how much they adored their mom, and I was not going to laugh at that.

  “All right,” Anna said. “We’ll be back in a few hours. Be good. And go to bed on time.”

  “Yes, Mom,” they said together. It was obviously something they’d heard more than a few times.

  Anna turned and flashed me an anxious smile, then ushered me out the door. She locked it, then followed me out of the building and to my truck.

 

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