A throat clears from behind me, and Hudson pulls away from me with a force I’m not prepared for, sending my hip into the railing of Adley’s hospital bed.
Ouch.
“Theresa, hey,” he says, sounding nervous.
The look on Theresa’s face says she’s misunderstood what was just happening. “When Sedona and Jamison came out, I figured it would be okay to come in. I wanted to check on Adley.”
I hate that she talks as if she’s friends with my parents. She’d met them once, and it was in passing.
“Of course.” Hudson puts his arm around her waist, leading her over to the hospital bed. “Her scans came back good, so they’re getting her discharge papers together. It’s just the stitches along her forehead that are coming with her.”
“So not life-threatening. The way you two were clinging together…” Her eyes meet mine.
Usually I let her passive-aggressive comments go because I’m not one to start shit, but I raise my hands to sign. Then I figure fuck it, she needs to hear this from me, in my own voice. “We didn’t know the situation until we got in here. You know what it’s like to fear that your child is injured. The relief made me emotional.”
Her expression shifts so fast, I want to roll my eyes. Up until today, I’ve never had a problem with Theresa. Other than I have never thought she was a good fit for Hudson. She’s so put together, I worry that one day she’ll have Hudson at some office job, picking up Adley in a suit and tie, and I know he’d grow to resent it. I’d hate to see him turn into one of those guys who says yes to everything his wife wants because he’s afraid of her wrath.
“Of course, I understand. I just always find your relationship so odd, it takes me back a bit. My ex wouldn’t touch me unless he had to resuscitate me. And even then, it’d be questionable.” She laughs, but no one else does.
Well, Hudson smiles to appease the situation. Jeez, it’s already starting.
Thankfully, Theresa turns to Adley. “Sweetie, your grandma said you just jumped for the fire pole. Why would you jump?”
I eye Hudson with a not-so-nice expression. I’m annoyed she’s in here, let alone judging my three-year-old’s decisions.
“It looked fun.” Adley smiles at her.
“But those other kids were older, right?”
I keep my gaze on Hudson because if he doesn’t get Theresa out of here, I’m going to say something. It’s not her job to scold my child. Even Adley’s eyes are scrunched up.
“We don’t need to talk about it now,” Hudson says.
Adley turns to me. “Mommy?”
“Yeah.” I take her hand.
“Can we go home?”
I lift my hands to sign, As soon as Nurse Allie comes back with the paperwork.
“Can I have another popsicle?” Her eyes are wide with excitement.
“We’ll see,” I say out loud. I take the popsicle stick out of her hand, throw it away, then turn toward Hudson. “If you two want to go, I’ll get her home.” Really what I mean is that if Theresa would like to leave, I’m happy to open the door for her.
“I’m not going anywhere,” Hudson says. “I’ll take her home.”
“No, I can take her home.” If he thinks I’m going to let my little girl out of my sight, he’s mistaken.
“I’m not having Matt drive her home. If you want to be with her, you can come with me.”
Hudson is an easygoing guy. Rarely does he get up in arms about anything. Except if it has to do with our daughter—like now, for instance. Our past tells me he won’t let this go, so I give in to try to prevent an argument. We’re already too tense with each other tonight.
“We took an Uber, so you can drive us both.”
His eyes bore into mine for a few seconds. “Fine. We’ll caravan it back to our houses.”
“But we were going to go to…” Theresa says, and Hudson shoots her a glare. “Never mind.”
Allie comes in with the discharge papers a minute later, thank goodness. We go over everything, and Theresa finally excuses herself when it’s time to get Adley dressed.
I’m busy helping Adley put her arms in her shirt when Hudson says, “She doesn’t know how to act in front of you. You make her nervous.”
I glance at Adley who is now looking between us wide-eyed and raise my hands to sign while I speak. Sweetie, Mommy and Daddy are going to talk in the hall for a quick second. Can you go sit in that chair and wait for us like a good girl?
She shrugs. “Okay.”
I nod toward the open door for Hudson to follow me. He does, and when we’re outside, I close the door to the room, leaving it open just a sliver so I can hear if anything is awry inside the room. Then I turn to face Hudson with my arms crossed. “Why would I make Theresa nervous? I’ve never done anything to her.”
“I don’t know.”
I shrug. “Then it’s not my problem, it’s hers.”
“Jesus, Palmer, you could have some empathy and understanding. It’s not like you’ve ever been warm and welcoming to her.”
I stare at him for a beat before I answer. “I don’t have to be welcoming. I’m not the one dating her.”
“Exactly, she’s my girlfriend, and she spends a lot of time with our daughter. Maybe Adley drew that picture because you’re not so nice to Theresa,” he whispers, as if our daughter might hear him through the door.
“Do not do that! Do not blame me for her inability to be in a room with me because she’s insecure.”
He shakes his head. “You’re intimidating.”
“No, I’m not, Hudson. You didn’t think so when we first met.”
He shakes his head with a smirk. “Yes, I did. How would you know what was in my head that night?”
“You approached me,” I say.
“Because I was the bartender. It was my job. But you’re different with Theresa. Standoffish. Cold at times.”
I take a step closer to him. “I cannot believe you’re picking right now to have this conversation with me. What? Were you going to pop the question tonight or something?” I ignore the drop in my stomach just imagining the scene.
“Hell no, you know I’m not the settling down type, but she is a part of my life, and I’d like the two of you to get along. That’s all I’m saying.”
“Fine. I’ll be nicer. Let’s go.” I turn around to go through the door, but my hand pauses on the handle because Theresa is at the far end of the hallway, which pisses me off because she was probably eavesdropping on our conversation. Great.
I leave Theresa for Hudson to deal with and go back into the room.
I pick up Adley off the chair and get her coat on then leave the room, passing Hudson and Theresa. When we enter the waiting room my parents get up from their chairs. Adley runs over to them as if she wasn’t just in the room with them. My mom grabs her, lifting her off the floor, and hugs her tightly.
“You’re going to cut off her breathing,” I say jokingly.
“I’m so sorry. Grandma will make it up to you. We’re going to Sweet Suga Things tomorrow, and I’m bringing you donuts tomorrow morning.”
“Birthday cake ones?” Adley beams because it’s her favorite flavor.
“Whatever you want, wee one,” my dad says before kissing her cheek.
“Okay, you two. We’re taking her home,” I say, wanting to get out of here.
Matt returns from outside, pocketing his cell phone. “I heard it was just some stitches.” He looks at Adley and back at me. “I’ve broken so many bones and hurt myself so much, stitches are like a paper cut now.”
“You’re not three,” Hudson says. Thankfully, Matt doesn’t seem to pick up on the note of ire in his voice.
“True. I’m glad she’s good.” He looks at me, and I give him a small smile.
I’m not sure I’m feeling anything with Matt. He’s hot and all, and I wouldn’t mind sleeping with him, but my life doesn’t have room for anyone right now. Priority one is Adley, and priority two is getting this book finished.
We say goodbye to my parents and all head to Hudson’s truck. I secure Adley in the car seat, then I sit on one side of her in the back and Matt sits on the other side. Theresa is up front with Hudson, and I watch her reach for his hand during the drive.
It shouldn’t bother me. I’ve seen them be affectionate before. I’ve seen them kiss, so why does them holding hands feel like a gut punch? Adley grabs my hand as if she feels the same pain I do, but in reality, I’m sure she’s sleepy. And probably wondering why Hudson and I were arguing since we don’t normally do that in front of her.
I glance at Adley, and she has a small smile on her face, but her eyes are drooping. Oh, my sweet baby girl.
We pull into Hudson’s driveway, and I remove Adley from the car seat and hold her.
“Hey, Palm?” Matt says.
It’s weird to hear him use a shortened version of my name. Rarely does anyone do that except for Hudson every now and then. I turn to Matt before walking to my house.
“I’m gonna get going.” He thumbs over his shoulder, and I see an Uber pulling up. He could’ve just stayed at the hospital and left from there.
“Okay, sorry about tonight.” I walk over to him as Adley becomes limp in my arms, finally losing the battle with sleep.
“No worries.”
“Here, I’ll take her up,” Hudson comes over and takes Adley from me. “I’ll put her to bed.”
I nod, and although I really want to follow him, I need to talk to Matt. I walk him over to the Uber, and it surprises me when he raises his hands—since we haven’t used much sign language tonight. He must want to keep this from Theresa’s prying ears.
I’m sorry to leave, but I have to train early in the morning, and I know you want to be with Adley.
I follow his lead and sign back. Yeah, about…
He shakes his head. I know, but I’m going to be selfish and ask you to give me one more chance. An actual uninterrupted date?
I sigh. I have a lot on my plate right now.
He puts one finger up in the air. Just one date at the lodge.
Well, I guess now I know what he wants, and it’s not a relationship. It’s been a long time since I’ve been with anyone. Maybe a hook-up will get all these annoying thoughts about Hudson and Theresa out of my head. At least Matt will be leaving town soon. Okay.
His smile glows under the streetlight. I’ll text you.
I nod.
He steps forward, kisses me on the cheek, and says in my ear, “Good night, Palmer.”
Good night.
He slides into his Uber, and it drives down the street. I turn to head back into the house, but I spot Theresa still standing by Hudson’s truck. She’s acting as if she wasn’t looking at us, but we both know she was. Now I think I know for sure why Matt was signing instead of talking.
“You can come in if you’d like,” I tell her on the way to my house.
“No, I’ll just wait for Hudson here. I’m sure he won’t be long.”
I nod and head into my house. I slip off my shoes and shrug off my jacket. As I walk up the stairs, I hear Hudson talking in Adley’s room, so I quiet my steps. I’m a sucker when it comes to watching him read Adley a book at night.
“Will you be here in the morning?” Adley asks him. She must have woken up once he tried to put her in bed. She’s never been an easy kid to move from one place to another when she’s sleeping.
I stand with my back to the wall outside her door.
“No, I’ll be at my house, but I’ll come over and have some of the donuts your grandma is bringing over if Mommy says it’s okay.”
“Why can’t you sleep with Mommy?”
My hand covers my heart. I hate that we have to explain all this to her.
“Because Mommy and I sleep at our own houses.”
“Why? Because of Theresa?”
“We talked about this, Adley. I love Mommy, but not the kind of love that makes us sleep together in the same bed.”
I purse my lips to stop myself from laughing.
“I want you to sleep here,” she whines.
“I’ll tell you what, I’ll sleep with you until you fall asleep.” I hear some squeaking from him getting on the bed.
“Daddy?”
“Yeah, sweetie.”
“Tell me a story.”
“What kind of story?” he asks.
“One with Mommy.”
“I can do that. So, it was a snowy night, and this brunette walked into a…an ice cream shop and I was working behind the counter…”
I slide down the wall onto my ass, hearing him tell her a story that’s similar to the first time I met him—except this time, the guy buys her the biggest ice cream sundae, and they fall in love like a fairy tale.
Sometimes I wonder what would’ve happened had we met one another under different circumstances. Would we both be in there with Adley? Would there be no Theresa or Matt? Would we only have one mortgage and raise our daughter as a couple in love?
But those thoughts are useless, so I stand and head downstairs, not wanting the newly raised questions in my head to mess with me. Our life is good. We’re good, and whatever this is going on with me, it needs to stop. Hudson and I have a good thing going, and we can’t mess that up, no matter how much I might ponder the what-ifs.