I gasp loudly, having a hard time wrapping my head around Hudson’s explanation. “I can’t believe she did something like that. That is so low.”
“Uh, guys.” Gabe looks confused, his gaze going back and forth between Hudson and me. “I’m a bit lost here. What are you talking about, her giving you what you wanted?”
Hudson looks at his brother before peeking my way. His eyes glaze over with sadness once more, making me want to do a lot of bad things to his ex for causing him this much pain—the old and the new one. I’m not sure what Hudson wants or needs from me right now, but I try to give him a reassuring smile and nod.
He runs his hands through his hair once before looking back at Gabe. “I’ll tell you guys the whole story together as a family, but let’s just say, I wanted to have kids, and she didn’t. Unfortunately, she wasn’t exactly forthcoming about that piece of information.”
Gabe snorts in response. “Figures. Of course she’d be a snake like that. Why am I not surprised? I knew it must have been something big like that. Who jokes around about having children? Seriously. Some people just shouldn’t be allowed to have a relationship at all. It’s just not fair. There are so many good people out there who deserve to be happy and who genuinely want a partner and children in their life. They should just be left alone in their search to find someone instead of being deceived and used as a pawn. It definitely sounds like Addy needs some serious help.”
Hudson and I look at each other when Gabe is done with his mini-rant. We’re both equally perplexed, so we burst out laughing.
“What’s wrong with you guys? This is serious.” I expect Gabe to stomp his foot in annoyance any second now, which makes me laugh even harder. Mira pulls herself up on the side of her playpen, curious to see what all the commotion is about.
I know there isn’t really anything funny about this, but it almost feels cathartic. Had someone told me just a few months ago what my new life in Brooksville would be like, I’d have laughed in their faces at how ridiculous they sounded.
Wiping away a set of stray tears, I try to calm down with a few deep breaths. “I’m sorry, but all of this just sounds like a bad soap opera—totally scripted and with lots of drama. And somehow, I’m smack in the middle of it all.”
The look on Hudson’s face makes me stop laughing immediately. He takes a hesitant step toward me without doing anything else. “I’m so sorry I’ve dragged you in all of this. That was never my intention.”
“Stop blaming yourself. You didn’t do anything. Yes, you made a bad choice with your partner, but that was last year. That’s in the past, and we all make mistakes from time to time. I have a skeleton like that in my closet too.”
Hudson’s eyes go wide, mirroring my own as I realize what I just said.
This filter system between my mouth and my brain definitely needs a checkup. It has been pretty faulty lately, happily babbling while I try to play catch-up.
Gabe is staring at me too, curiosity burning brightly in his eyes.
I wave my hands in front of me as I try to distract everyone once again. “Anyway, how exactly do you guys plan to solve this crazy mess now? I mean, you do have a plan at least, right?”
Thankfully, Hudson nods. “Yes. Addy will get her PR people to release a statement that the media claims are false. I’ll ignore the paparazzi as best as I can and stay silent for now.”
“Do you think that’s going to work?” Gabe doesn’t sound happy or convinced, and I can’t really blame him. It’s a lot to take in, none of it positive in any way.
Hudson’s jaw is set as he stares into my eyes with a determined gaze. “I promise I’ll get this back to normal somehow. If it was just about me, I’d let it blow over. But that’s not the case anymore. You and Mira are a part of my life now, and I’ll do whatever I can to protect you guys.”
There he goes again, including Mira and me in his life choices, like we’re a team—or a family.
I’m lost in his intense gaze, barely noticing when Gabe leaves my side, muttering something that sounded a lot like, “Damn straight you are.”
Since this is slightly awkward, and I don’t know what to say, I blurt out the first thing that comes to mind. “Are you guys hungry? I think we could all use a cupcake or two. How does that sound?”
I breathe a sigh of relief when they nod, because why shouldn’t they? It’s food.
Better yet, it’s cupcakes, for crying out loud.
Everything’s better with cupcakes.
Mira’s starting to complain—still hanging on to the side of the playpen—and Hudson picks her up without a word. I watch the two for a moment before Gabe clears his throat. He has the biggest smirk on his face when I turn to him, and I want to slap the smug expression off his face.
Instead, I duck my head to avoid his knowing gaze.
While they sit down at the table, I walk over to the counter to get one of the boxes I packed up earlier. When I open it up on the table, the sight and delicious smell in front of me make my mouth water. “Red velvet or lemon blueberry?”
Both Hudson and Gabe raise their eyebrows at my question, giving me identical expressions.
I press my lips together, silently chuckling, my shoulders shaking. “I’m guessing that means both?”
They both nod, and we all laugh. Mirabelle chimes in with her high-pitched giggle, clapping excitedly. That’s the beauty about babies. They laugh when you laugh, thinking you’re the funniest person around. Most of the time, at least.
As if she feels my eyes on her, she turns and stares me down. “Ma-ma.” The smile she gives me is so wide my heart swells, like it does every time she says it.
Before I can react, she looks away from me and to Hudson instead. She’s laughing and hitting his chest with her little fists. All of a sudden, she stills and studies his face for a moment. “Da-da.”
Her little voice seems to echo through the room while I stand there, feeling like the world just stopped moving.
My heart didn’t get the same memo though, since it’s beating wildly in my chest.
In the meantime, my hands start shaking so badly the cupcakes fall out of them, landing on the table with a soft thud.
Eighteen
After giving both Mitchell brothers new cupcakes, I focus on cleaning up the mess I just made. My gaze stays firmly locked on the table while my cheeks continue to burn hot. I still haven’t found the courage to look up at Hudson, I just can’t. Hearing Mirabelle say Da-da to him—as unintentional as it most likely was—is enough for my stomach and my heart to perform simultaneous somersaults, making me a little dizzy.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Hudson snuggling Mira close to his chest. “Mira, you are the cutest baby I’ve ever seen.”
Gabe, on the other hand, is awfully quiet. When I sneak a peek at him, I find him staring at me curiously. He immediately catches my gaze and gives me a warm smile. I’m not sure I want to know what he’s thinking. My brain feels fuzzy, and I’m a nervous ball of energy. Usually, I’d start baking in a situation like this, to deal with my inner turmoil, but that’s not going to happen this late.
“Well, guys.” Gabe’s chair scrapes against the floor when he stands up too quickly, and I look back up at him in confusion. “I just remembered something, so I have to go. Hudson, I’m guessing you walked here earlier, so you can catch a ride home with Charlie, right? It’s way more convenient anyway. All right. I’ll see you guys later.”
He barely takes a breath before snatching one more cupcake from the open box. He tickles Mirabelle’s belly, winks at me, and claps Hudson on the shoulder. Then he’s out the door in record time.
Talk about a speedy exit.
“Bye, Gabe.” The words come out in a quiet mumble, seconds after the door closed.
After a minute of silence, I risk a glance at Hudson, but luckily, he’s engrossed in playing with Mirabelle. I watch them for a moment until he looks up at me. From the look in his eyes and the smug smile on his lips, he knew I had my eyes on them all along
.
Clearing my throat, I wipe my hands off on my pink apron. “Are you ready to leave? You look tired.”
He chuckles in response. “You always know how to make me feel better.”
“You know what I mean.” I make a motion with my fingers like I’m locking my lips and throwing away the key. “I’ll stop talking for now.”
“Please don’t stop on my account. I love listening to your babbling, it’s always very entertaining. And let’s not forget about it being dang cute too.” He smirks before looking down at Mirabelle who’s playing with his shirt, pinching it between her little fingers and letting it go before doing it all over again. “Don’t you agree, sweetie? Your mama is the cutest thing ever, besides you, of course.”
As usual, she gives him a big drooly smile, and they both laugh.
His words make my stomach churn restlessly, and I have to close my eyes for a moment to calm my nerves.
How am I supposed to resist this man when he says the sweetest things all the time? All the while playing with my little girl like it’s his most favorite thing to do.
Dang it. That’s so unfair.
Apparently, it takes this moment, and seeing these two together for what must be the millionth time, to realize something. If I really want to take our relationship to the next level, I have to tell him about my past first because he deserves to know what happened.
Otherwise, it will all feel like a big lie, and I wouldn’t want him to feel trapped or deceived by me in any way. Even less after knowing about what happened with his ex.
A relationship with him and his profession would already be challenging enough, there really is no reason to make it even harder.
Brushing the hair out of my face, I promise myself to come clean soon. Otherwise, none of this will mean the same. It will lose meaning faster than I can build the memories, and neither one of us deserves that. “Just give me a minute to get our things, and we can leave, okay?”
“Sure thing.” He gives me a big smile, making the butterflies in my stomach swarm around in excitement.
I busy myself for as long as I can, suddenly dreading the drive home. Being in close proximity to the man who’s been occupying my thoughts more and more with every passing day, seems like the last thing I need right now.
When I can’t stall any longer, Hudson holds Mirabelle out to me, confusing me.
His face turns into a grimace. “Sorry. Just in case there are still some paparazzi left outside.”
Oh. I already forgot about the paparazzi again. “Stop apologizing. It’s not your fault.”
It seems like we keep apologizing for something that is neither one of our faults.
“Did you...did you want me to go out first and meet you around the corner?” He looks like it hurts him to say the words, and I hate seeing him this way. My heart breaks for him because no one should feel like that.
To make it worse, I just added to it too.
I don’t say anything for a long moment. All I do is look at him. This man has been nothing but kind, sweet, and understanding to me. He’s been a great friend from the moment we’ve met. He helps me at the bakery and with Mira as much as he can, and asks for virtually nothing in return—having him sit somewhere while I work is really no hardship in any way.
Yes, I was scared about his ex, but that problem is probably solved for good now, and I believe him when he says he won’t let anything bad happen to us. This friendship between us obviously means a lot to him.
I think it might be time for me to show him the same courtesy in return, because he more than deserves it. “Nope, not on my account. They already know we live together anyway. Seeing us together really shouldn’t be a big deal.”
I shrug my shoulders, suddenly just wanting to be home. I’m slowly but surely growing more than just a little tired of the paparazzi dictating my life. Everything seems to be going well until someone brings them up. They’re spreading the dreary wearies like nothing else, and I’m done with them.
Plus, we are friends.
“Just know I support whatever decision you make because this is completely your choice.”
“Thank you. Let’s go then.” I know this is one of the downsides of fame, but it still doesn’t change the fact that I just want to give him a big hug. Feeling the need to hide in public while wondering if your friends want to actually be seen with you just doesn’t sit right with me.
“Are you sure?”
I poke him in the arm. “Yes! Now stop asking me stupid questions, or I’m gonna lock you in here and leave by myself after all.”
Hudson chuckles, finally relaxing some.
Mission accomplished.
Without a warning, he closes the distance between us and wraps me in a gentle hug, Mirabelle sandwiched between us. She giggles, totally enjoying the attention.
He gives me one more squeeze before letting go. “Thanks for being you. I don’t think I’ve ever met someone like you. So very special. Don’t ever forget that.”
Well, dang it. There he goes again.
I’m starting to think there’s no wall high enough I could possibly build around my heart that this man couldn’t demolish in record time.
A few minutes later, I plop into my driver’s seat, happy there was only one stray photographer waiting for us. Even though I’m pretty sure he got a shot of my butt when I put Mirabelle into her car seat.
These are the things I live for.
We drive in silence, except for Mira’s constant babbling in the back seat, but I feel Hudson’s gaze on me. My nerves get the better of me, and I continuously wipe my hands on my jeans. Chances are, he’s wondering if I’ve lost my mind or if I already regret leaving the bakery with him.
That couldn’t be further from the truth.
When the silence finally starts to get to me, I decide to break it. “Do you really think the statement will help take care of the whole situation?”
Leaning his head back against the headrest, he closes his eyes. “Honestly, I have no idea. I really hope so, but I can’t deny that I have my doubts. Those paparazzi and reporters are like piranhas. They try to suck as much as possible out of a story, no matter how false or damaging it might be for the involved parties. So, they might keep running it, not caring if I give a statement or not.”
“That sounds awful. There’s really nothing you can do?”
“Nope. Sadly, it’s part of the game. I’ll just lie low for a few days and hope they disappear, especially when they hear about Addy checking into the rehab center. I hope that fact, paired with the statement posted online tomorrow, will have most of them leave for good.”
“I really hope so. This must be hard for you.”
He shrugs his shoulders. “You get used to it, just like with everything else. The craziness of the business becomes your new normal, and you learn to live with it. Some things and some people are worth making those sacrifices for.”
“Mmm.” I stay quiet, focusing on the road while my thoughts are scattered all over the place. It’s hard to imagine being in his shoes. I can’t even wrap my head around living like that. For most of my life, I’ve been trying so hard to be a quiet and reserved person who can easily blend into the background. I did it for so many years, it became second nature at some point. I can’t help but notice how opposite that makes us, even though I’m not that person anymore either.
Staying out of trouble and away from people that cause trouble used to be my number one priority.
Sometimes, I wonder if I even know who I am anymore after molding myself so much to become the person I thought I should be in order to be happy—anything to be the opposite of my mother.
“What are you thinking about so hard?” Hudson interrupts my thoughts, making me startle in my seat. “You always bite the inside of your cheek when you’re deep in thought, it’s adorable."
I chuckle under my breath, my senses on high-alert, as if I’ve been caught with my hand in the cookie jar. Sometimes it’s eerie how well he alread
y knows me, even though I shouldn’t be surprised after spending so much time with him for weeks on end. By now, he’s aware of pretty much all of my annoying, little habits, and he loves to tease me about them—often.
That realization, mixed with the thoughts of my past, makes me feel a little queasy. “It wasn’t really anything important. Just something from my old life in New York.”
Such a load of crap. I’m such a chicken, and I’m sure he knows that.
His elbow grazes mine for a nanosecond on the armrest. “Will you tell me about it, Charlie?”
I’m still distracted by the small shock the skin contact elicited. I want to tell him all about my past, but I know this isn’t the place nor the moment for it. “I will.”
We finally reach the house, pulling up the driveway to the gorgeous two-story home.
Once the car is parked in the garage, Hudson turns my way. “Good, I can’t wait. I’ve been dying to know more about you too.”
I know, Hudson, I know.
I’m just afraid things won’t be the same way anymore.
Nineteen
A few days have passed since the incident at the bakery, and we haven’t talked about any of it anymore. Sometimes ignorance truly is bliss, but sadly, that hasn’t prevented Hudson’s predictions from coming true. The media’s been having an absolute field day with the chaos Addy created, so everyone’s been trying to lie low. Hudson is putting on a brave face, but I know he hates it as much as everyone else does.
“Isn’t your friend Monica coming soon?” My rockstar roommate looks at me from the other side of the kitchen bar. He’s having his breakfast, while I work on some business stuff I’ve been pushing aside for way too long. Of course, he looks his usual put-together, sexy self, making it extremely hard for me to focus on anything else.
A big smile forms on my face at his question, successfully wiping away my previous thoughts. “Yes. She’s going to be here as soon as the doctors clear her. She’s thinking it might be next week. I can’t wait.” I can barely contain my excitement, wanting to jump up and down and clap my hands. I’m afraid that might be a bit too much for Hudson, especially this early, so I refrain.
The Mitchell Brothers Collection: A Feel-Good Romance Box Set Page 15