Randall & Hudson

by M. A. Innes

  For today’s “garden party where the caterers will be grilling steaks,” I was wearing Mother-approved slacks and dress shirt that looked ridiculous at a barbecue, but evidently, just fine for that “garden party.” Outdoor seating, grilled foods, bugs, yup, that was a barbecue. Not that she was willing to hear that.

  Families as wealthy as the Merricks do not have barbecues.

  Bullshit. I’d been to several of their parties, and they weren’t as pretentious as everyone else. It would be just like them to have a barbecue complete with a country band and straw bales. Everyone there would just be in thousand-dollar outfits and carrying around champagne, talking about how “quaint” it was.

  Mrs. Merrick was going to drive the other wives crazy trying to compete with a better theme for every party over the next couple of months. As we walked around the back of the gardens, I could see several panicked society wives looking around, taking mental notes. By the time the season was done, we were all going to be sitting on hay bales at these types of parties and eating five-hundred-dollar hot dogs.

  I hadn’t even made it to my usual hiding spot at the Merricks’ estate when Mother had spotted me and started dragging me over to meet “the doctor.” I’d had every intention of fessing up about seeing someone. There just hadn’t been time or privacy.

  She was going to lose it, and I didn’t want to have the conversation in front of dozens of witnesses. “I need to talk to you first.”

  I got a firm shake of her head and a pointed look that clearly told me to behave and not ruin her plans. I’d seen that face often, right before I got dragged into something stupid that wasn’t me at all. Like cotillion and a master’s program so I could be a college professor.

  Shit.

  At this rate, I was going to end up married before I could tell her I was dating Hudson.

  It really was too bad he couldn’t get me knocked up. Then he’d be forced to marry me. She didn’t seem to realize I was a guy, so maybe it was doable?

  “No, you don’t understand.” We dodged what would have been an awkward conversation with one of Mother’s frenemies, and she just waved as we charged past. At a socially acceptable pace, of course. Mother didn’t run. “I have to talk to you.”

  She would just walk fast and with purpose to try to marry her son off.

  Lovely.

  “There is nothing to say. I don’t know why you’re dragging your feet. I have found you a perfectly acceptable match. Do you know how hard that was? There are only a handful of gay men in our social circle, and even fewer that are socially acceptable. Unless I want to see you matched with degenerates, social climbers, or gigolos, he is your best option.” The whispered words were said through a clenched smile. No one would possibly be able to tell that she was dripping with anger.

  “But—”

  “Dr. Richards, it’s nice to see you here today. I’m so glad you could make it.” She magically turned off her anger as a man came around a large bush that had been strategically placed to give some privacy to the back of the yard.

  Great. She was arranging romantic rendezvous for me.

  “Evelyn, I’ve told you to call me Jonathan.” His smile was as fake as hers, but he wasn’t ugly.

  His dark hair was cropped close in that generic rich-guy way, and he looked like he went to the gym on a regular basis. The fact that he was honestly somewhere around my age was impressive. I’d been half-expecting some well-preserved fifty-year-old geezer.

  “Jonathan.” She fluttered like he was the most important person there. God, she was laying it on thick. “I’d like to introduce you to my son Randall. He’s finishing up his master’s degree before he gets his doctorate.”

  It felt like she was listing off my accomplishments, like they were some kind of awards you’d list at a dog show. Jonathan reached a hand out smoothly to shake mine. “I’ve heard a lot about you. Becoming a professor must be interesting.”

  Since when?

  And how much had he heard about me?

  Shaking his hand felt weird, like I was being sized up. I didn’t care what he thought, but if he liked me it was going to be a problem. Mother would never forgive me for chasing off her doctor. I wondered for a moment if Hudson would let me sleep on his couch after she tried to kill me.

  I probably couldn’t go back to the dorms after that.

  “It’s nice to meet you.” Short and boring. Hopefully, he’d get the hint or find me tedious and wander off.

  I got a don’t-you-ruin-my-plan look from Mother before she gave Jonathan another smile. “I have a few people I must say hello to. I’m sure you two would like to get to know each other better, so I’ll just step away. We really must talk about the hospital soon, Jonathan.”

  Fuck.

  “Of course, Evelyn, you have a wonderful insight into the fundraising side. I look forward to it.” He honestly seemed sincere.

  Shit.

  As she walked away, I tried to figure out some way to hide or to force her to take me with her. Nothing. Jonathan turned that smile back toward me and took a half step closer. It wasn’t inappropriate, but he was definitely trying to say something with the move.

  I took a large step backward. It gave me more maneuvering room, but unfortunately, put me out of direct sight of the rest of the party. Not good.

  “I understand you’re a pediatrician.” That should be boring and safe.

  “Yes, neonatal. There’s just something about seeing all those little babies that makes me want a family of my own.” Another might-be-sincere smile broke out on his face.

  Damn it.

  I couldn’t tell if he was serious or not, but red flags were going up everywhere. I was going to be married off before this fucking party was even over. I was definitely not going anywhere without Hudson ever again.

  My brain liked that idea, and the mental wandering it wanted to do was downright dirty. Dragging it back to the issue at hand was hard. But necessary. Very necessary. “It’s nice that you’re ready for that step. It will be years before I can even think about something like that. My doctorate program, and then gaining tenure and all.”

  I was doing my best to tell him to back off, but it didn’t seem to be working. I just got an understanding smile, and he stepped closer again. “I’m sure your plans would be flexible if you found the right man.”

  Shit.

  He was too sure of himself and too confident that he knew exactly what I would agree to. What had she told him? “I’m going to have to step away and find a restroom. If you’ll excuse me.”

  I ran.

  Well, I walked very purposefully away from the perfect doctor who wanted a family and babies. Hell, I wasn’t ready for all that. I wasn’t even sure if I’d ever be ready for that. I hadn’t even thought about it. Picturing a family with Jonathan-the-doctor was impossible, it made my skin crawl.

  Now, picturing a family with Hudson was different. I wasn’t any more ready for it, but I could see him with a baby or running after a kid learning to ride a bike. It was easy. It didn’t mean I was ready to be sold off and bred like some kind of omega in a dirty romance novel.

  It was time to hide.

  I had another half hour before the food would be ready, and I couldn’t decide if it was better to make a run for it now or later. A sit-down dinner would have meant I’d have to wait until everyone was mingling over drinks afterward or I’d be noticed, but with something like the barbecue, I had more options. I just needed to think.

  The Merricks had several half-baths on the main floor. Two of them were easy to find, one off the main foyer that was tucked in a hallway for privacy and the other toward the kitchen for the staff. But they also had a small one that was awkwardly shaped and around a corner near Mr. Merrick’s study.

  In the past, it had probably been some kind of laundry room or even closet, but now it was a tiny bathroom that no one ever went in at their parties. I’d hidden there multiple times. It got a little warm in the winter, but overall, it wasn’t a bad
space to wait in.

  Working my way through the crowd of people in the yard wasn’t difficult. Everyone was trying to outdo each other, and I wasn’t high enough on anyone’s list to matter. By the time I reached the house and entered through the side door, I was feeling slightly relieved. Just a few more seconds and I would be free.

  Well, safe in the bathroom.

  It would have been harder to hide if everyone had been gathered in the house, but the nice weather meant that most people were outside, except for a few stragglers that were easy to dodge. The caterers in the kitchen didn’t care who was in the house as long as I stayed out of their way, and other than some voices coming from the study, there was no one.

  I quietly walked around the door to the study and breathed a sigh of relief when I got past it without being noticed. I was almost home free when I heard the voices in the study getting closer. As I finally made it into the bathroom, I felt the weight of everything start to move off my shoulders.

  Leaning against the door, I pulled out my phone.

  You might need to come rescue me.

  No point in hiding the crazy from him if I was going to drag him into the mess next week, anyway.

  What have you done, Angel?

  Like this was all my fault. I sent back a little emoji with a halo.

  Nothing...crazy woman has gone nuts and I need my knight in shining armor...she’s trying to sell off the maiden to the highest bidder...

  There was a cough in the hallway that sounded almost like a laugh, and I froze, afraid someone had found the bathroom. When it quieted and I could only hear whispers, I looked down at my phone.

  I’d gotten a smiling emoji that seemed to be doubled over with laughter.

  You’re not a maiden anymore. But I’ll come rescue you. It seems like I have to stake my claim before someone else steals the fair prince.

  Thank god.

  Where are you, Angel?

  I was starting to feel guilty about taking him away from his family thing. Not a lot of guilt, because someone had to get me out of here, but still...

  Can you leave now? I don’t want your family to hate me.

  I heard another chuckle from the hallway and tried to be as still as possible. Why were they still out there? Thankfully, Hudson’s reply came back quickly.

  I’m going to drag you over here. They’ll love you. I just told them about you, so the timing is fine. This thing is boring and will go on for hours.

  Another ton of bricks was lifted off my shoulders.

  Thank you.

  I got another smiling emoji with lots of teeth showing.

  You’re going to owe the handsome knight who is coming to rescue you.

  I didn’t mean to laugh, but one escaped anyway, and the voices out in the hall quieted for a moment. Shit.

  Not wanting Hudson to think anything was wrong, I pushed aside my worries and texted him back.

  Dirty, wicked things, huh?

  A little devil popped up in response.

  Of course. Now where are you so I can come start collecting on those dirty favors you owe me?

  I was terrible at directions and had no idea of the address of their house. Shit.

  It’s probably the other side of town from you. It’s a gated community with big houses. Mill Crest Estate.

  I sent that part and tried to think of how to describe the house.

  I’m sorry I don’t know the address. It’s a big Mediterranean house that’s toward the back of the development. I’ll meet you out front.

  There was a long pause, then he responded.

  Angel, do I tell the guard at the gate I’m with the Merrick party?

  “What?” I texted back before I could process what he’d written.

  Yes?

  How had he known that?

  Angel, are you hiding in the bathroom?

  I looked around. I’d told him that I hid during parties, but...

  Yes. How did you know?

  The response was immediate.

  Angel, open the bathroom door.

  It was a weird instruction, and I didn’t really want to leave, but...Straightening, trying to look like I hadn’t been in the bathroom for an excessively long time, I opened the door.

  “There’s my angel.” I heard the words, but it wasn’t connecting.

  “What?” My head popped around the half-open door.

  “Come here.” Hudson’s deep, soothing voice chased the last of the nerves away.

  “You’re here.” I was too excited to question him right away. I just threw myself against his body, loving the way his arms wrapped around me.

  “Of course, I told you I had a family barbecue to go to.”

  Huh?

  “Hudson Merrick?” I was starting to connect the dots.

  He smiled and brought a hand up to caress my face. I gave in to the urge to close my eyes and just leaned against him. “I should have thought to ask your last name, Angel.”

  “Hamilton,” I mumbled against his chest, not willing to move away from him for a second.

  “Of course it is. Your mother is batshit crazy. Sorry, Angel.”

  I just laughed. “Yup, you do know my mother.”

  “Who is she trying to give my angel to?”

  “Some boring doctor.”

  “Oh, the pediatric one?” He didn’t seem surprised.

  “Yes, he doesn’t take hints well.”

  Hudson kissed my head, and I could hear the smile in his voice. “How about I keep the sexy pediatrician away from you?”

  “Yes, please. He is hot, though.” I giggled. “According to my mother, he’s the only gay man in her circle who’s not a degenerate. What did you do to be put on the wicked list?”

  She should have thought Hudson Merrick was a great catch. I’d been avoiding people at parties for years, so it wasn’t surprising that I hadn’t met him before. “Wait. Your mother always calls you Matt.”

  He laughed. “Matthew is my middle name. She called me Matty for years, and when I wanted to start using Hudson, she had a hard time. She’s doing better now, but it’s taken a while.”

  “You don’t look like a Matty to me.”

  Hudson snorted. “No, that’s what I tried to explain to her. Mothers don’t listen.”

  I cracked up laughing. “Oh, I know, and you never said why she thinks you belong on the naughty list.”

  Hudson shrugged and tightened his arms around me. “I’ve dated people exclusively in the scene for years. And that meant most of them weren’t in the right social circle. About two years ago, I was seeing a guy seriously, and people were scandalized to find out he was a massage therapist.”

  That was it?

  “Well, that got you on the naughty list, evidently.”

  “My parents didn’t care, but it was the talk of the town for months.” Hudson’s hands started moving in slow circles on my back. “Your mother is going to have a cow.”

  “Yup.” I nodded. She was going to lose her marbles. Not only was she not getting the doctor she wanted, I was dating the son of her rival who dated the help.

  “My dad probably likes you.” He’d admire Hudson’s business instincts and drive. Now that I’d connected the dots, everything was falling into place.

  “I get along great with him.”

  Probably better than I did.

  “Well, this is why the cute little rabbit ran.” Jonathan’s voice rang out from the end of the hall.

  Great. Just great.

  Chapter 17

  Hudson

  I tightened my arms around Randall. I wasn’t sure if I was claiming or protecting; maybe both. “He’s taken, Richards. Go find someone else to seduce.”

  The guy got on my nerves.

  There was nothing specific to point out and say, “Yes, that’s why he’s a douche,” but there was something about him that made me want to punch him. So to keep my mother from killing me, I stayed away from the dick. Usually.

  “His mother doesn’t seem to think h
e’s taken.” Richards smirked, tempting me to reevaluate the idea of laying into him. “I’ve heard for weeks how sweet and perfect her son is.”

  “I’ll say this one more time, even though I know you heard me. He’s taken.” He’d been away for several years with school and his residency, but I’d heard through the grapevine how he hadn’t changed much. The rumors were still about seduction and then breaking things off, his MO since we were teenagers.

  Before Richards could respond, footsteps echoed down the hall. The clip of heels on the hardwood said it was a woman, and I hoped it was mine coming to see what the drama was. If anyone could smooth this over and keep Randall’s mother from losing her shit, it was her.

  No such luck.

  “What is going on here? Rand, this is not the kind of behavior that—Oh.”

  “Somebody just shoot me.” The words were low, and I was probably the only one who heard Randall’s dramatic whine, but I had to fight the urge to smile. I had a feeling she wouldn’t find it funny.

  “Rand! What are you doing?” Her voice was almost shrill, and I could see the anger building. Could she not connect the dots?

  Randall took a deep breath and pulled away. I would have preferred keeping him close, but I was going to do my best not to egg the woman on. “Mother, I think you know my boyfriend, Hudson Merrick.”

  He took another slow breath and stood up even taller. “I tried to explain to you before you introduced me to Dr. Richards, but—”

  “But nothing. This is ridiculous.” She honestly seemed shocked. I wasn’t that bad of a catch. “I introduce you to a perfect gentleman and you chose this...riffraff?”

  So maybe I smiled at that one.

  I ran a multi-million-dollar company. My parents both came from old money, and in any circles would be classified as well-off and nearly labeled socialites. I stood to inherit more money than I knew what to do with, and yet I was still in the same category as if Randall had been caught dating the maid, or butler in this case.

  “It’s nice to see you again, Evelyn.” I tried to sound pleasant and appropriate. She just gave me a scathing look.

  “What have you done to my son? Did you seduce him?”