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My brother called a lot those days. It was the first week of January, and I’d heard from him at least once every evening. He showed up on my day off at Hudson’s house, and Max slobbered on him. Edwin said Michael was no longer allowed at his house, but I was.
I appreciated what my brother was doing. For his and Francis’s sake, I hoped they stuck to their words. Michael used them a lot over the years, knowing his sister would bail him out of any trouble. Truthfully, it wasn’t my place to say anything when I had called, asking my brother for help, too. I would never take advantage of someone’s kindness, though.
But wasn’t that what I was doing? Taking handouts from Hudson. I hadn’t looked at all for a place to live because I liked living there. Hudson told me to stay however long I needed, but everyone had a breaking point. He said to save up while being there. He said a lot of nice things, and I liked them all.
I thought of Gran and that screen door. She kept the door open for anyone. Family, if you’d call them that, used her over and over, like how Michael took advantage of his sister. Oh, God. Was that what I was doing to Hudson? Did I unintentionally become the thing I despised? I never wanted to bother anyone with my problems. The idea that I might be taking advantage of Hudson twisted my insides.
Would it be wrong of me to enjoy his company a little longer? I didn’t know if staying there much longer was a good idea. If given the chance, I would let him blow-dry my hair again. Wanting him to play with my hair was the reason I avoided going downstairs after washing my hair. I was embarrassed that he might notice my reaction to him if he dried my red mane. Which was sad since I’d liked the idea of it happening once more.
I still went downstairs and read on my Kindle whenever I didn’t have a wet head. Hudson had been reading one of the books I’d gotten him the last few nights, and it had made me feel giddy.
My phone rang. When I saw Holly’s name on the screen, I rolled over on the bed and picked her up. “What’s my favorite hairdresser doing?”
Holly exhaled in my ear. “Wondering when her friend is going to come visit.”
I pulled a strand of my hair up. The red had faded into a light pink. “Hopefully soon. My hair needs you.”
“That’s not the point.” She huffed. “Don’t you miss me at all? I’m more than your hairdresser. I’m your best friend.”
“I’m sorry. I’ve just been busy at the restaurant,” I said.
“Liar! You live with your boss. It ain’t nothing to ask for a day off.”
“He forces me to take time off, but I toast my ass by the fireplace on those days. I promise, I’ll visit soon.”
She groaned, and I imagined her rolling her eyes the way she did when I irritated her. When she gasped suddenly, my heart felt like it launched itself into my throat.
“Hey!” she hollered.
I sat up quickly. “What?”
“You still haven’t sent me a picture of Hudson.”
“Are you fucking kidding me?”
“What?”
“I thought something was wrong when you gasped.”
“Something is wrong. I need to see this man. What’s his last name? I’ll just look on Facebook.”
“Don’t you dare,” I warned her.
She laughed. “Wait. Do you have him as a friend? I’ll just search his name really quick.”
“I can’t stand you.”
“Hold on,” she mumbled. “There. I had to put you on speaker. Now let’s see… Hudson, Hudson, Hudson. Where are you?” I shook my head as I waited for her to search my friend’s list. “Only one Hudson.” Click. “Holy…Eugene Quillen!”
I snorted, unable to hide my laughter. I knew she was seeing how handsome my roomie was. Feigning ignorance, I asked, “What?”
“You, dog! No wonder you haven’t visited. That man is gorgeous.”
“We’re roommates, Holly.”
“Ain’t nothing free in this world, Genie. Either he likes you, as in more than a friend, and wants to get into your pants. Or he simply wants to get into your pants because you’re a beautiful woman.”
I pursed my lips, letting her words roll through me. She said those exact words before but hearing them again bothered me. “Why do you have to ruin it? I enjoy staying here. In fact, I enjoy his company. You know I don’t have much faith in men.”
