“I want to pick something up for Georgia,” I say. “We had an argument …”
“Just go, Hudson, get outta here. Do what you gotta do.” Jackson shoves me out the side gate.
He pantomimes chucking an ax at me.
“Stop it,” I say.
“Listen, dude, if you don’t go after her tonight, I am just folding up shop and giving up. I’ve run the numbers, and I actually think the two of you were made for each other.”
“What numbers?” I ask. “You’re totally full of it, Jackson. You don’t have any data on Georgia or me that you could possibly be using to make such a prediction.”
Jackson taps his head. “It’s all up here. It’s like the AI, minus the A.”
“Okay, whatever.” I laugh. “Just go do your thing and livestream the shit out of this, okay?”
I’m not sure if I’ll be able to salvage things with Georgia tonight, but at the very least, we’re going to save that shelter.
georgia
The sun hasn’t even set yet,but the warehouse is abuzz with activity. Dozens of people are scurrying around making last-minute adjustments, setting up information and check-in tables. Delicious smells are coming from the kitchen, where the uncles are prepping food to be passed on trays. Uniformed bartenders are stocking the two bars that have been set up on opposite ends of the space.
Jackson waves to greet me from his station by the makeshift stage. He’s manning some sort of a console and making adjustments on four different computer screens.
Near the coffee bar in the middle, Xander is unloading the silent auction baskets he’s brought over from the store in his van.
Emily dives in, helping to hang a banner, and Kenna takes off with her camera to get some shots outside. I check Cookie into the doggie valet area with the volunteers so I can help out with any remaining setup.
“Thank God you’re here,” Xander says, pausing to glance my way. “Nice costume. What is that exactly?”
“Punk fairy. You?”
“Ferris Bueller.” Xander waves at one of the helpers setting out clipboards for the silent auction. “Over here. We need those here, please.”
“Oh hey, Hudson mentioned you were bringing his costume?”
“I have it right here.” I hold up the bag.
“Perfect. I just saw him on the other side over there, up by the stage.”
“Check, check.” The sound system comes on with a screech and a buzz as a tech taps on the microphone. Hudson unfolds himself and steps up to the microphone, adjusting the height. The sun is streaming through the windows. It paints him gold, like he’s been dipped in honey. He squints. I don’t think he can see me. I suck in my breath and gather my courage.
My plan is simple. I’ll hand him the bag and ask him if he has a minute to talk. And then I just have to explain to him that I got spooked. I’ll say I understand if he doesn’t want to continue or whatever, but …
I haven’t worked out the rest.
Having checked the mic, Hudson turns and bounds down from the stage, taking the steps two at a time. I see him check his watch and check in with someone arranging glossy brochures on the table by the door. When she stands to grab something out of a box, I see that it’s Ashley.
Ashley has on anAlice in Wonderlandcostume that I suspect she purchased from one of the naughty costume catalogs. Striped thigh-highs, blue garter bows, and a lace-up pinafore. A label dangling from her bodice reads “Eat me.”
I feel frumpy by comparison. I’m wearing a black bodysuit and a pair of iridescent, green wings. My hair is spiked with glitter gel, and my hot-pink fishnets are torn in several places. Ashley is wearing false lashes and a padded push-up bra. I’m wearing wiggly antennae and a spiked dog collar.
I watch as Hudson leans down to go over a list with her. She points at something and he leans in closer to take a look, then shakes his head and laughs.
I try to make my way to the table, but there are so many people darting in front of me. I step aside to make room for some workers to get by with a pair of giant speakers. By the time I get to the table, he’s gone again.
“Georgia!” Ashley trills and waves at me. “Is that Hudson’s costume? He said he was waiting for you to get here with it so he could go up and get changed. You want to leave it with me? I’m just about to head upstairs and make sure everything’s ready to go. I can drop it by his place.”
“No, that’s okay,” I say. “I’ll bring it to him. Where’d he just go?”
