Chapter 15
Ireached across the bed the next morning, surprised to find it empty.I’d completely passed out the night before, not even aware Hudson had carried me to bed.I shot a bleary look at the clock, finding it just after 8:00 a.m.It was much too early for the amount of activity I could hear drifting up from downstairs, suggesting we had guests of some sort.
Hudson was clearly eager to put certain plans in motion, given the break-in and the unnecessary attention our relationship might bring, but I needed to at least wash my face before confronting whatever awaited me downstairs.
After I’d freshened up, I threw on my most comfortable pair of sweats and a hoodie—my soft version of armor.I had to admit, a small part of me wanted to let Hudson handle this while I buried my head in the sand.
But that wasn’t who I was.Despite how I’d lived for so long in DC, it never had been.
“I don’t want her to have to share anything about her past or her family until she’s ready.”The words drifted from the kitchen as I descended the stairway, Hudson’s concern palpable.“I’m a lot to take on—I don’t want this to be too much.”
And there it was—he was worried.My resolve strengthened even more.I’d prove to my man that I could meet whatever challenges we faced, as long as we faced them together.
“It’s not.”I stepped into the kitchen to find him seated at the table with his parents and brothers, all of whom looked up at me when I came into view.
I crossed the room, my focus solely on Hudson.As I reached his side, his arm slid around my waist and I looked down at him.“You’re not too much, honey.And even if you were, you’d be worth it.Plus, I’m no cakewalk.I’ve got a nightmare ex and parents from hell who I guarantee will rear their ugly heads at some point.We’ll just have to deal.”I gave a small shrug.
His gorgeous eyes shone with a tenderness almost too intimate for company.“Yeah, baby.”His arm tightened around my waist.“We most definitely will.”
Remembering we weren’t alone, I offered the room a sheepish smile.“Morning, everyone.”I gave an awkward wave.
“Hi, honey,” his mom greeted warmly.“I made coffee cake, and there’s coffee brewed.”
The concern must have been evident on my face because Riley burst out laughing.“Mom made the coffee,” he assured me.
“Thank God.”I exhaled in relief and headed toward the coffee pot.
“It can’t be that bad,” Hudson protested.
“Just keep singing, bro.”Riley chuckled, clearly enjoying himself.
I moved around the kitchen, preparing my coffee and grabbing a piece of delicious-looking coffee cake before joining them at the table.Sunlight streamed through the windows, highlighting the gorgeous property I hadn’t yet explored.
“My family invited themselves over.”Hudson shot them all an annoyed look.“After the break-in, they wanted to make sure you were okay.”His hand found my thigh under the table as I sat beside him.
“I promise we normally call.”His mother offered an apologetic smile, while Griffin snorted, indicating that might not always be the case.
“It’s good to get everyone on the same page, though.”Hudson’s gaze swept the table.“I already talked to my publicist, lawyer, and manager this morning.”
He must have been up since dawn to accomplish all that.
“You gonna make some sort of statement?”Griffin asked, dressed in his uniform and clearly on his way to work.
Hudson turned his gaze to me.“I’m hoping this is more about being proactive.”He reached over to tuck my hair behind my ear, a gesture he did often, one I found incredibly sweet.“I don’t think news about you and me has leaked.I’d never want you to be a secret, and when I’m inevitably asked if I’m spoken for, the answer will be a resounding yes.But I want to protect our privacy as much as possible.I want you to have as much of a normal life as you can here at home.As far as attending any events with me or putting you in the public eye, we can take that step by step.So, for now, this is more about preparation than anything.Does that sound okay to you?”
“Makes sense.”This part of his world was still foreign to me, but I trusted him implicitly.
“Baby.”He hesitated, worry flickering in his eyes.
I covered his hand with mine and squeezed.“I get that your publicist will need to know some things about me as part of that preparation.I’m happy to share whatever’s helpful.”
He leaned into me, his forehead pressed to mine.“I want the world to know you’re my girl.But I want your safety more.So, we’ll just need to take this as it comes.I trust my team, which is why I want to get them on this.”
“And we’re here every step of the way,” his father added, his kind eyes resting on me.While Bill and I didn’t know each other well, the love and care he had for his family was evident in every move he made.“We may not be in the business, but whenever there have been big milestones in Hud’s career, we’ve navigated that as a family.We’re all here to support you two.”
“That’s so kind, thank you.”Emotion tightened my throat as I took in the depth of their bond, hoping that one day I could be part of that.“I know we’re still so new, but I understand that with Hudson’s fame, we need to be smart.”
“Regardless of fame, I don’t think Hud’s operating on a normal timeline with Lucy.”Riley chortled.“He went from recluse to shacking up overnight.But I figure he’s just been waiting for Rambo over here.So I’m here for it.”He shrugged.
