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I mean, he’s lied to me already about something pretty significant, and if what Jackie said is true, he’s not telling me everything either.
He doesn’t have to give you a play by play of everything he does, Lennon.My mind is trying to reason with me, but I’m not sure if it’s working.
“I know he’s not, Lenny. And it’s clear to see he cares a great deal for you. I just worry. Here you are, living in a house that he bought, looking at him like he hung the stars and moon. Always touching him like he’s the one tethering you to the earth. It’s intense and it’s all happened pretty fast.”
“Not really. We’ve been seeing each other since July. That’s nearly six months.”
“And yet you’ve already been living with him for nearly two months,” she points out.
“Well really I’m living alone right now,” I counter, not sure why I feel the need to argue this with her.
“We’re splitting hairs here, Lennon. All I’m saying is I want you to be careful.” She pushes away from the counter and steps toward me, leaving her glass of eggnog abandoned behind her. “Maybe he really is as great as he seems.” Taking both of my hands in hers, she lowers her voice before continuing, “Maybe what you two share is the forever kind of love, and I really hope it is. But I need you to understand that behind the looks and the money and the fame, he’s just a man. Don’t get so wrapped up in everything he is that you lose sight of how much power you’re giving him to hurt you.”
“I know what I’m doing, Mom.” I try to keep my voice even and not let on how aggravated I am by this entire thing.
Why couldn’t she leave well enough alone? Why couldn’t she let me enjoy Christmas with my family instead of planting more seeds of doubt; as if I’m not already struggling with Hudson being away and battling my own bouts of uncertainty.
“I know. Just be careful.”
“You don’t need to worry,” I reassure her.
“I really hope that’s true.” She gives me a soft smile. “Okay, enough with the heavy. Let’s get everyone in here for dessert.” She spins around and heads toward the living room.
Unfortunately my appetite checked out about three minutes ago and even if I wanted to I doubt I could eat a bite right now. Pulling my phone from my back pocket, I click on the internet app and quickly type outHudson James and Annabellein the images search bar. Sure enough, one of the first images that pops up is of Hudson and Annabelle through the window of an upscale pizza parlor. Clicking on the image, I follow the link to the magazine where the picture originated from. The caption reads:Hudson James and Annabelle were spotted at Marrizos last Friday night sharing a pizza and lots of laughs. It’s too early to say whether or not the pair are officially dating, but we’re told by inside sources that things are definitely heating up between the two country stars.
“Hey.” I jump when I hear Hudson’s voice behind me. Quickly locking my phone, I shove it back into my pocket before he can see what I was looking at.
“Hey.” I force a smile on my face as I turn to look at him. “You ready to try one of my mother’s world famous pies?” I ask, gesturing to the spread of desserts on the island. “They aren’t actually world famous, but don’t tell her that,” I joke, trying to fight past the tight knot in my stomach.
“You okay?” he asks, instantly picking up that something is off. I hate that he can read me so well.
“Yeah, everything’s fine.”
Starr and Mark join us in the kitchen, ending the conversation and I couldn’t be more thankful.
I’m still trying to process everything as we leave my parents a little over an hour later. I got dessert only because I knew it would draw red flags if I didn’t, but I could barely force two bites down, even though Lemon Meringue is my favorite.
Thankfully since my mom allowed us to eat in the living room, no one really noticed that I was a little bit inside my head. Of course that doesn’t mean Hudson didn’t notice. I felt his eyes on the side of my face several times but I couldn’t bear to look at him for more than a few seconds because the longer I sat next to him, the angrier I seemed to become.
It’s irrational, I know. It was one picture and a completely innocent one at that. Who cares that they went out to dinner together? It means nothing. And yet it still feels like something. I don’t know if that’s because it really is something or because I’m just super paranoid that history will repeat itself.
Hudson remains quiet on the drive home. Even though I know he can tell something is off he doesn’t broach the subject until we’re home. I’m in the bedroom changing into my pajamas when he finally addresses my obvious shift in mood.
“So are you going to tell me what’s going on with you?” he asks, crossing his arms as he leans against the door jam.
“Nothing,” I answer childishly, tugging on the reindeer pajama bottoms I bought the other day.
“Sure doesn’t seem like nothing.” He keeps his gaze trained on me as I remove my earrings, dropping them on top of the dresser. “Now why don’t you actually tell me what’s wrong.”
“Why didn’t you tell me you’ve been spending time alone with Annabelle?” I demand, knowing I can’t avoid this forever. If I try it will likely drive me crazy.
“What?” He seems completely taken back by my question.
“Don’t look at me like that.” I mirror his action, crossing my arms in front of myself. “Newsflash Hudson, you’re famous now. And you know what happens when famous people go out? Or two famous people for that matter? They get photographed and plastered in cheesy magazines. So I’ll repeat. Why didn’t you tell me you’ve been spending time with Annabelle?”
“Well, for one, we’re friends. For two, when you spend every day inside a tour bus and every night at a venue, you take the opportunities you can to get out and do something other than work.”
“But you’re not answering my question. Why did you never mention it to me?”
