“Who is she? I need all the details.” Mom takes her seat once more. She pats the empty chair next to her, and I do as I’m told and walk around the bed, taking a seat next to her.
“Yeah, Dad. Please fill me in.” I smirk. No way he knows that my heart belongs to Riley.
Dad studies me for several beats of my heart before he opens his mouth to speak. “Riley.”
I must look like a fish the way I open my mouth and close it multiple times, unable to find words.
“What? Riley? Not Raven?” Mom asks.
“Raven is my best friend.”
“I thought Riley was your friend too?” she asks, confused.
“She is. She’s my friend, but she’s so much more.”
“Told you,” Dad boasts.
“How did you know?” I ask him.
“The way you watched her when you thought no one was looking. Those girls have spent a lot of time at our place, and I might be the quiet one of our duo-” he blows Mom a kiss“but I’m also observant.”
“That poor girl. She’s gone through so much. That guy she was seeing” Mom starts, then her wide eyes find mine.
“It’s fine. I know she had a baby. I actually ran into them as they were leaving the hospital when I got here.”
“I wasn’t sure when she was being released. They’ve all been in here to visit your dad, and I stopped in there last night once I heard she’d had the baby. He’s a cutie,” Mom comments.
“He’s tiny,” I reply.
“Well?” Dad asks.
“Well, what?” I know what he’s asking, and I’m not sure how much I want to tell them.
“What are you going to do to get the girl?” he asks.
“I don’t really know. Obviously, she has more than just herself to think about now.”
“She’s a package deal, Hudson.”
“I know that.” My tone is a little bitter.
“You need to make sure you understand the responsibility that comes with raising a child.”
“Trust me. I’ve had months to think about it.” I pause. “I’m in love with her. If she lets me, I’ll love them both.”
“Aw,” Mom says as her eyes mist with tears.
“I know I have my work cut out for me, but she’s worth it.” I look at my dad, and he’s just watching me. “What?”
“I’m proud of the man you are, Hudson. I wasn’t sure how you would take her being with someone else, and when he left her…” He shakes his head in disgust. “I wasn’t sure how you would feel about her son. I knew that you were going to be upset about her being with someone other than you.”
“He’s a part of her. I’ll love them both.” My tone leaves zero room for either of them to doubt me. “As far as her being with someone else. She wasn’t mine. Not officially. Not in her eyes, and that’s on me. I’m going to change that.” I don’t tell them about our night together because even though we’re close, I don’t tell them everything. That’s taking it too far. Not only that but I’m telling her secrets too, not just my own, and I wouldn’t do that to her. She loves my parents, and they her. I would never tell them something that I think might make her uncomfortable to be around them.
“Why are you still sitting here?” Dad asks.
“What?” I ask, confused. Did I not just tell them that I’m home for good? Maybe I need to go get the doctor.
“Why are you still sitting here talking about it? You need to go get your girl.”
“I can’t just barge in on her.”
“You know as well as I do, everyone is at her place right now,” Mom chimes in. “You really love her, Hudson?”
“I do.”
“Then go.” She pushes against my arm. “Go get her. We’re fine here.”
“I haven’t seen you in months, and you’re trying to get rid of me. I see how I rank.” I laugh. I hate that he’s here lying in a hospital bed. I hate that I left and wasn’t here to help. He’s too young to be having heart problems. I left my family, I left Riley, and that has my gut twisting with so much regret.
“You know I love you, but we’re good here. Dad and I are going to play some cards and watch some crappy TV, and then tomorrow he’ll be home.”
“I’m good, Son. I promise.”
I nod. “It’s not going to be easy.”
“Nothing worth having ever is. It took me months to win your mother over.”
“I love her. Like, marry her, love her.” It feels damn good to be able to say those words out loud to someone other than Clayton.
“Good. I’m ready to be a grandma, and that little boy is just precious.” Mom smiles.
“I love you both,” I blurt, feeling myself get choked up. My parents have always given me their unwavering support. That’s the kind of parent I want to be. My mind goes to the little man who gripped my fingers not an hour ago, and my heart squeezes in my chest. He’s so damn tiny.
“Hudson?” Dad calls out my name, and I snap out of my thoughts. “Go. Get the girl.”
I lean over and give Mom a one-armed hug before standing and doing the same with Dad. “Call me, and I’ll pick the two of you up tomorrow.”
“Not necessary.” Mom waves me off. “I have my van here. I’ll keep you posted and let you know when we’ll be home.”
“You better.” I point at her.
“And you better keep me up to date on project Marry Riley.” She grins.
I toss my head back in laughter. “I can do that,” I assure her. I give them another wave before rushing out of the room and back to the elevators.
I’m going to get my girl.
I’m a creeper. Well, not really, but I feel like I am. I’ve been sitting down the street from Riley’s house in my rental car for two hours. I just couldn’t bring myself to knock on the door and have this conversation with all our friends hanging around. Luckily, the rental makes me inconspicuous, and none of them know that it’s me.
Finally, Brett leaves. He’s the last of them to go. By my calculations, there are only three people left in that house: Raven, my girl, and her son. I can’t keep sitting here like a lovesick fool forever. I need to make a play. I’m not going to win her over sitting in my car and staking out her house.
When I turn the key, the engine roars to life. Looking over my shoulder, I pull out onto the street and make the short distance, maybe five hundred feet to her driveway. I park in front of the garage. I don’t see Raven’s car, but I know she’s in there. I didn’t see her leave, and if I know my best friend, she’s smothering her sister and her new baby nephew with love.
I’m envious of her.
Grabbing my keys, I push open the door and make my way to the front porch. Memories of the last time I was here filter through my mind. I was so desperate to see her. To talk to her. To hold her. I regret walking away. I should have parked my ass on this porch until she decided to come out here and talk to me.
I raise my hand to knock but stop before I can follow through. What if the baby or even Riley is sleeping? Instead, I pull my phone out of my pocket and send Riley a message.