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Chapter Twenty-one
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HUDSON
“What do you mean you haven’t told her?” Kelly looks at me across the table like I’ve lost my fucking mind.
“Just what I said. I haven’t told her,” I grind out, trying to keep my voice down.
This was a conversation I wanted to have with my family before we had dinner together, but unfortunately that didn’t happen. So when Lennon excused herself to go to the bathroom shortly after we arrived, I decided it was now or never.
“Hudson.” My mom gives me the look that says she’s seconds away from breaking into a full on lecture.
“I didn’t want to open up right out of the gate and spill my shit on her. I had no idea it would turn into anything.”
“Well it has,” Kelly interjects. “How do you think she’s going to feel when she finds out you’ve been keeping secrets from her? Hudson, you can’t build a relationship on a foundation of lies.”
“Spare me your bullshit, Kel. I’m not building a relationship on lies. I have omitted some things, sure, but at the end of the day it doesn’t change how I feel about her.”
“No, but when she learns the truth it might change how she feels about you.” She pauses, shaking her head.
“I’m aware.” I drag a hand through my hair. “I just need her to hear it from me.”
“We won’t mention it, sweetheart.” My mom reaches over and pats my hand. “I understand your hesitance, but honey, you’re going to have to tell her eventually.” She gives me a soft smile.
“I know. And I will. When the time is right.”
“I don’t know that the timing will ever be right,” Kelly interjects. “You’re going to have to bite the bullet and get it over with. If she cares about you the way I think she does, she’ll be okay with it. I mean, I think she’ll be pissed that you weren’t upfront with her, but ultimately, I think it’s something you can get past. But not if you wait too long.”
“I agree with your sister, dude,” Colton adds in. “Lennon is crazy about you. Tell her the truth and see where it lands.” The words have barely left his lips when his eyes dart behind me and he does a little motion with his head.
Seconds later Lennon reclaims the seat next to me, her hand instantly reaching for mine under the table. I blow out a soft breath and meet her gaze, not able to shake my sister’s words.When she learns the truth it might change how she feels about you.
It’s probably the one thing I’m the most worried about. That when it’s all said and done and everything is out in the open, Lennon won’t look at me the same.
I can’t escape the mistakes of my past but I damn sure can try to move beyond them. It’s about time I bury the past to make way for my future. A future that is currently looking at me like I’m the only thing in the world she sees.
And that’s when I know I’m not just falling anymore. I’ve fallen. And there’s not one damn thing I can do about it.
