As I got to the school, the entire campus was buzzing, and the banter by the lockers was all about the forthcoming Friday night game against St Andrews. Hudson had messaged me, saying he’d wait for me in the cafeteria.
Good morning, beautiful. Meet me at lunch.
After my third period, I gathered my stuff and went to the dining room. I received a message from Harper apologising for ghosting me. She explained that she had stuff to deal with at home and would fill me in soon.
Hudson had saved me a seat at his table in the lunchroom. From the doorway into the room, it looked like the king was back on his throne.
I see you.I thought as I walked towards him.
Everyone greeted me in various ways as I approached the table.
Lowering my lunch tray, I took the spare seat opposite Hudson.
“Hey you,” I said with a smile. His stare was deep, almost like he was reaching inside of me.
“Hey, yourself,” he replied, his expression warm and welcoming, but his grin wasn’t as wide as mine. Maybe I needed to tone it down a bit.
Don’t come across as clingy, as boys don’t like that.My mother’s words drifted into my head. It was her warning when I couldn’t stop talking about a new boy who had started at school.
“How was Connors?” Hudson questioned as he placed his sandwich down.
“How did you know I had Connors?” Mr Connors was the teacher Hudson warned me about on the first day we met in the library; the one with the breath issue. I wondered how he knew Connors had stood in for our usual history teacher.
“I have my methods,” he replied with a wink.
“He was OK. I sat downwind,” I explained, and everyone chuckled. We all then tucked into our lunches. I wanted to speak with Hudson alone. I still had so much I needed to say.
Partway through her salad, Storm nudged me with her elbow and started talking about cheer practice. She explained that one of the girls was absent from school with suspected appendicitis, and then dropped a bombshell.
“So, we need you to fill in on Friday night at the game? You said you didn’t mind standing in as a temp?”
I didn’t answer at first as I’d promised both Lisa and Cassius (who wanted to know more about the dick on my phone) that I’d go on call with them both.
“Earth to Molly,” Storm said, waving her hand in my face. My eyes were still locked with Hudson’s. I glanced away.
I heard Phoenix chuckle under his breath. Whether that was due to Storm asking me to cheer at the game or the intensity between Hudson and me, who knew?
“I’m not sure,” I replied.
Everyone started to encourage me, saying I could do it.
“I’m with Storm, you’ll be great out there, Mols,” Micha stated. So, I wasMolsnow. Interesting. I wondered if Hudson had told his brothers about his late-night visit.
“What about you, Loverboy?” Phoenix cajoled with a meaty grin.
Hudson did smile then. “Alright dickhead, give it a rest.”
“Well, surely you want your girl there to support you?” Nix added, winking at me. Storm snorted into her salad.
My eyes flickered back to Hudson’s, wondering what he’d say to that one, and his response made my heart skip a beat. “She isn’t my girl,” he began, “yet.”
It was the ‘yet’ that made me feel all gooey inside. Did that mean he wanted me to be? “And you’re wrong. I don’t want Molly at the game on Friday night.”
My heart dipped a little.
“Why?” both Storm and Phoenix said at the same time.
I suddenly understood whatwaiting with baited breathfelt like. Our eyes were tangled across the table as Hudson leaned over and took my hand by the wrist. “She’s too much of a distraction. Especially in that skimpy-ass cheer uniform,” he replied, skimming his thumb over my pulse. “There is nothing worse than a wide receiver on the field with a raging boner. Especially in the tightest of game pants. And you guys already know I struggle to fit in my jock-strap on a regular day.”
