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She’s funny and upbeat, and her smile a sight for sore eyes. And then there’s her body. Holy hell, did she look amazing in her bikini, but I sure was grateful when she put on a pair of shorts after the first game. I don’t think I’d have been able to tear my eyes off her perfect ass.
Who knew I’d end up running into the first woman I’d had my most enormous crush on, and right now, she’s here with me?
ChapterFour
ARDEN
By the looks of the crowd gathered in front of Hudson’s house, his party is set to be one of the wildest on the Strand, and it now makes sense why Erik and Sam made sure not to be around this weekend.
As if that isn’t bad enough, the neighbor on the other side of me is holding a party, too. They even have a stripper pole installed in the living room and an ice luge shot on the patio. It brought back memories of my summers here twenty years ago. Nothing much has changed when it comes to partying.
I just grew older.
And as I sit in the tub filled with mineral salts, my body’s complaining of everything it went through this afternoon. Even my calves which haven’t had to run and jump on beach sand for years are just dying.
Dive for that ball?Check.
Block that spike?Yes, ma’am.
Seeing Hudson’s face light up every time I passed or set the ball to him?Priceless.
As sore as my body feels, every muscle ache is worth it.
An hour later, I make my appearance at Hudson’s party wearing a sleeveless top and ripped shorts I wouldn’t be caught dead in if I were back in New York. But I’m in Hermosa Beach, so it fits even when surrounded by people at least a decade younger than me.
“There you are,” Hudson says as he steers me toward a quiet corner. “I was wondering if you’d ever show up.”
“I had to recover from the afternoon,” I say. “My body’s been complaining since I left the beach.”
Hudson leans his face closer to mine. “Want me to massage those aches and pains away?”
I almost groan out loud. What I’d give to get my aching muscles rubbed right now. “Tempting but let’s not and say we did.”
“Want a beer?” He cocks his head toward the kitchen. “There’s also a full bar–”
“A beer is fine, thanks.” One beer should do it, and I’m sure I’ll sleep like a baby in no time. That is if I find my earplugs.
Hudson disappears and returns with a beer, twisting the cap open for me. We toast, and I take a sip. “So, how many beers is that now?” I ask, pointing my chin toward the bottle he’s holding.
He makes a face. “Don’t tell anyone, but it’s still my first. I don’t want to be hungover for tomorrow’s ride.”
I look at him, surprised. “So we’re still doing it?”
“You backing out already?”
I scoff. “Hell, no. I’m holding you up to it.”
“Good girl.”
The sudden clenching of my stomach catches me by surprise. Oh hell no, he didn’t just say what I heard him say. And no way did my body react… like,reallyreact.
I take a long sip of my beer. This isn’t good.
“What are you two doing here all by yourselves? Join the party!” Taylor’s voice booms from behind Hudson, and we’re suddenly pulled to join everyone else, including Ruby, whose reaction to me seems to have cooled.
I spend the next hour holding on to my beer for dear life as I mingle with Hudson’s friends. His place is packed, but I’m grateful because it means there isn’t any opportunity to dive into meaningful conversations with anyone, not even Hudson, who keeps getting interrupted as friends come by to say hello or drag him to meet whoever they brought along.
“I actually can’t stay,” I say when he’s finally alone an hour later. “I haven’t played on the sand in two decades, so I’m going to take this old body next door and crawl under the covers.”
