“What’s this? Family dinner and no one invited me? That’s messed up, Uncle Ted,” Perry teases my dad, taking a seat on the stool next to me and giving me a nudge. “Yo! What up, Waitress Rae? I’ll take a Dr. Pepper, please.”
I shove him hard. “I’m not working today, you jackass.”
Waitress Rae is his favorite thing to call me when he comes in to visit me at work. He says it’s like he’s talking to a whole new person when I’m there and he likes having “two versions” of me to choose from.
I love my cousin Perry like a brother. He’s like a best friend to me and practically lived at our house when we were kids since his mom, my dad’s sister, was in and out of the picture constantly.
Aunt Tessa wasn’t really the best mom. She had a habit of stepping out on her husband for months at a time. For some odd reason, Uncle Walker never left her. He always stayed and let her do whatever the hell she wanted. Because of this, he worked long hours to make sure all the bills were paid and that Perry had everything he ever needed. This resulted in Perry spending a lot of time at our house since his parents were rarely home.
Surprisingly enough, Perry had a great relationship with his dad. You’d think it would be strained because Uncle Walker was never home, but I think all it did was bring them closer. They clung to one another; their relationship was solid. The one he had with his mother was almost non-existent, though, especially since no one really knew exactly where she was.
As soon as Perry and I graduated college, Uncle Walker divorced Aunt Tessa. I mean literally. She was served the papers right after the ceremony. So she bailed and we haven’t heard from her in about three months.
You’d think that since Tessa was my dad’s sister, the relationship between Uncle Walker and my dad would kind of suck. Negative. They’re best friends and Dad talks to Tessa about as much as everyone else does, which is hardly ever.
“Whatevs, girl. So, what’s up with my favorite people?” Perry beams around the table.
“Oh, you know, just enjoying lunch with my favorite two people in the world—that was until some punk-ass kid came and interrupted everything.”
Perry clutches his chest in mock pain. “You wound me, Hales. ‘Tis okay, though. I know you really love me.”
“Barely,” Haley grumbles.
She’s such a liar. The only thing she loves more than me, dad, and Perry? Giving Perry shit. She excels at it. It’s pretty fun to watch.
“Anyway, Uncle Ted, what goes on? How’s the big city?”
“Boring, big, exhausting, never-ending,” my dad answers on a sigh.
“Why don’t you just retire? You’re like—what—fifty, right?”
Dad pops Perry in the shoulder. “You little shit. I’ll have you know I’m only forty-five. A year younger than your dad.”
“Still old.”
Unfortunately, Clarissa comes bounding up to our table. She’s not even our waitress so I’m really not sure why she’s over here.
“Hi Mr. Kamden, Rae, Haley,” she says in her fakest sweet voice. We all ignore her. Her voice drops some and she leans in to the table more. “Hi, Perry.”
Ah, she’s here to flirt.
In an obvious attempt to avoid any contact whatsoever from her, Perry shifts my way and dips his head at Clarissa. “Hey.”
Clarissa, who is a twenty-four-year-old woman, pouts at his brushoff. Then she gives him her best come hither look and puffs her chest out at him. “See you later, Perry,” she says, sashaying away.
“God, that girl kills me. She’s so pushy. And fake. And weird,” Perry complains, adding in a shiver for dramatic effect.
“Try working with her,” I grumble.
“Is she still…you know…working extra?” Haley asks.
“Unfortunately.”
“Working extra is great! What could be so bad about that?” Dad asks with obvious confusion.
Haley, Perry, and I exchange looks and all burst out laughing.
“Uncle T, she works extra in the backseats of cars,” Perry explains in the most polite way possible as soon as our laughter subsides.
The look on my dad’s face, accompanied by a loud groan, brings on the second round of laughter.
For a moment, I’m happy. My nightmare doesn’t exist and my rapidly growing feelings for Hudson aren’t weighing on me. Briefly, just briefly, all my fears fade away.
Hudson
I may not know a lot about marketing, but I do know that the deal the kid just gave me on the website is a damn good one.
“Well, what did he say?” Tucker asks. The blond-haired bastard is sitting—quite relaxed I might add—in the chair across from my desk with his feet propped up. I push them off in order to take back some sort of authority.
Since they’ve been at Jacked Up as long as I have, I called him and Gaige into my office this morning to talk with them about my meeting with Rae. They were both on board one hundred percent.
“Eight hundred bucks,” I tell him, taking up the same pose Tucker was just in. “And that’s with a new website, printed business cards, and a new logo. I’m meeting with him at noon to go over some details.”
“Hot damn!” Gaige yells. “That’s a good damn deal. I know Horton paid at least a grand for that shitty-ass website we have now.”
I nod. “I know.” I’m still in shock. “I can’t believe we managed to get hooked up with this guy. We owe Rae. Big time.”
Gaige and Tucker exchange a look.
“I think we’ll let you pay up on that,” Tucker says, winking at me.
“Whatever. How’d it go Saturday, Gaige?” I say, switching gears because I know if I don’t, they won’t drop the Rae thing at all.
“Good.” Gaige oversees the short four-hour shift Saturday mornings. “How was your date Friday?” Damn. It didn’t work.
“You fuckers,” I grumble, looking down at my folded hands, refusing to make eye contact. “It was good. Really good. I like her. A lot. We’re…uh…we kind of have a date Wednesday.”
“Really?” Gaige asks in disbelief.
I just nod.
I can feel Tucker’s gaze on me. “You need to go for it,” he says quietly.
“What about Joey?” I volley back immediately, looking back up at him.
“I’m pretty sure your kid isn’t the one who’s going to be dating her,” Gaige replies.
“You know what I mean,” I push out through gritted teeth.
“We do. Like you said: what about Joey? I’m sure the kid isn’t going to care. If anything, Joe’s gonna embrace it. I know it. Trust me on this. It’s not going to be bad,” Tucker reasons.
I think he’s right. Or at least I hope he is because I do really like Rae and I know she likes me too. I can see it every time our gazes lock. It’s just been so long since I’ve actually had a crush on someone so I’m nervous to pursue this. Yep, I said that that. A fucking crush. Like a damn middle-schooler.
But then there’s Joe, who’s a huge part of my life. I spend every single free moment I have with my child. I also know that Joey’s only seven and can get easily attached, which is what terrifies me the most because I don’t want to break my kid’s heart if things go south—something that is totally plausible. And if I’m being completely honest, I don’t want mine broken either.
“Stop it. I know what you’re thinking and I get why you’re afraid. You don’t really have the life of most twenty-four-year-olds. I get that, but don’t write everything off so fast. Have your date Wednesday, then decide where to go from there. You have to at least try. Don’t put that negativity in your head.”
I look hard at Tucker. He’s right. I can’t be sure until I at least put myself out there. “You’re right.”
“I know,” he shrugs.
I laugh. “Now, get the hell out of my office and go work or something.”
“Dude, stop playing at being a boss,” Gaige says. “It doesn’t really work with us.”
He’s right too, but I’m so not admitting they
were both right in a five-minute time span. They’d never let that shit go.
After they finally leave, I glance at the clock. Seeing that I have about an hour and a half before I have to meet the website guy, I text Rae to tell her the good news.
Me: So, Perry? Good dude. He gave us a sweet deal. I can’t repay you enough. Looking forward to Wednesday.
Rae: Me too! ;-)
A winky face? What the hell does that mean?
My phone goes crazy.
Rae: Oh, fuck me!!! I meant :-) I was not implying anything with that winky face! I promise!
Rae: OMG! I didn’t mean anything by the “fuck me” either!!
Rae: Shit! Just ignore all of that and pretend I never texted you any of that. The next text is going to be my real response.
Rae: Oh, awesome! Can’t wait for Wednesday either. :-)
Rae: Much. Better.
At this point, I’m laughing so loud and hard that someone bangs on the office door.
“Yo, what’s so funny? We can hear you out here, ya know,” Tucker says, opening my door. I see Gaige and Liam, another mechanic and friend, over his shoulder with shit-eating grins on their faces.
I’m still laughing when I hand Tucker my phone so he can read what Rae sent. Probably not the nicest thing I’ve ever done, but that whole exchange was too hilarious not to share. He holds it up for the guys to read along. They all burst into laughter too.
“Nice job on that one, Hudson,” Liam says. “She seems fun.”
“She’s a spitfire, that’s for sure,” I agree.
Before I realize what he’s doing, Tucker types something into my phone.
“Tuck, man!” I snatch the phone out of his hands. “What the fuck did you send?”
Me: ;-)
I laugh. “Okay, that was a good one.”
My phone beeps right away.
“What did she say?” Tucker sounds as excited as me to get a response from her.
I flip the phone up so he can read her text.
Rae: LMAO!!
“You’re welcome,” he says smugly.
I shake my head and shove them all out the door. “Go work, assholes.”
I’m early to meet Perry and it’s most decidedly not the best five minutes of my life.
“Hudson,” she purrs. “It’s so good to see you.”
The woman in question? Jess. She’s my ex and the very last girl I dated. The one who played a major role in my demolished relationship with my father.
I don’t run into her much since she usually stays farther in the city with whomever it is she’s seeing now.
She takes an unwelcomed seat across from me and leans in. “How’s life, Hudson?” She’s trying to be sexy and failing horribly.
Jess was—and I stress the was part—a smart, beautiful, funny, and kind girl. Somewhere along the way though, she gave in to the cards life dealt her in the worse way possible—she took to drugs and sleeping around. Let’s just say that it wasn’t even close to being the ideal environment for me at the time. I ended things and moved back home.
I think back on simpler times. Back when Jess was a beautiful girl with long healthy jet-black hair and amazing bright-blue eyes. She was of average build and had the most chipper personality I have ever come across, aside from Rae.
Now, it looks like she’s been through the ringer. Her once healthy hair is stringy and full of filth. The blue of her eyes are no longer bright; it’s faded and dulled through the years. Her body has become nothing but skin and bones. This version of Jess sitting in front me—the one in a short black skirt and stringy red tank top that’s about two sizes too big, causing her lacy stained-pink bra to hang out—is nothing like the version of her I have in my head. She’s nothing like the clean-cut, jeans-and-t-shirt-wearing girl I wanted to spend my forever with once upon a time.
I only feel marginally bad that she’s in the state she’s in now. She’s the one who let herself get this way. And it’s sad. It’s really damn sad.
“Jess,” I say quietly. “What are you doing here? I’m meeting someone.”
She leans in even closer. “I’m good, Hudson, thanks for asking. You’re looking nice,” she says, attempting to rub my arm. I move away quickly to avoid her touch.
I glare at her. Hard. “What do you want, Jess?” I grit out.
“I miss you, Hudson. I know you miss me, too.” She tries reaching for me again. Or maybe she’s just really high because she’s wobbling all over.
Not even going to mention your kid, huh? You’re a Class A parent, Jess.
I curl my lip at her. “Actually, I don’t. You kind of disgust me.” She doesn’t even bat an eyelash at my rudeness—that’s how fucked up she is right now. “I will say it again: I’m meeting someone. It’s a business meeting and it’s extremely important. You need to leave. Now.”
She puffs her once ample chest out and attempts a sexy pout. “Fine, but I’ll be around.”
And with that she gets back up on shaky legs, either caused by her latest binge or the six-inch heels she’s wearing, and walks away. I let out the breath I’d been holding in and try to shake off the whole exchange. Damn. What in the hell is she doing back in town? I really hope I don’t run into her again. That’s really the last sort of drama I need, especially now. The one time I decide it’s okay to start dating again, she shows back up. Awesome.
Before I can go any further with my thoughts, a shadow falls across the table. I look up. Well, I’ll be damned. The guy that Rae was hanging on last Monday at Clyde’s is standing right in front of me, holding a binder.
If I’m being honest, I hope he’s lost and that he’s not Perry because I still don’t know his relationship status with Rae. They seemed extremely familiar with one another. I know she’s not married and I’m hoping she’s not in a relationship. She didn’t mention one, and she agreed to a date Wednesday. Plus, she doesn’t seem like the type. That pretty much leaves friends with benefits or exes and both options leave a weird taste in my mouth.
“Hey. Hudson, right? I’m Perry,” the tall raven-haired guy says, taking a seat across from me.
Fuck. Me. Game-face time.
“Yeah, hey man. Thanks so much for meeting me today. I know this is sort of short notice but I’m really wanting to get things going on this.”
“No problem, I can completely understand that. Umm…let’s just dive in I guess. So I worked a little this morning after we got off the phone.” He takes out a red folder and slides it over my way. “I checked out your current website and logo and tried to go off that. I know it’s not really much, but it’s a start I guess.”
I flip open the folder. Holy shit. This is exactly what I was wanting and I didn’t even know it. It’s so simple and strong, and the dark-blue and gold color scheme is perfect for the shop.
As a play on the name of the shop, the lettering on Jacked Up is kind of cracked-looking without it being too obnoxious. It’s placed over a sleek, brushed metal that is also full of cracks. The name is in a bright white, the metal a dark blue with a gold inset. Along the bottom is a slogan—something we’ve never had.
“Nothing is too Jacked Up for us,” I read aloud.
Perry screws his face up some. “Yeah, like I said, it’s just a quick draft.”
“As lame as it kind of is, it’s actually pretty damn funny and probably corny enough to work.”
“Really?”
I laugh, partially at his shock and partially at myself. I didn’t really want to like the dude, but I kind of do. At least for his talent. “Really. I actually like the entire thing. This is perfect. Exactly what I was wanting. You did a damn fine job, Perry. Is this look something that can be carried over into the website and business cards?”
His mouth snaps shut then opens again. He does this once more before words manage to make it out of his mouth. “Yes! Sorry.” He clears his throat. “Yeah, definitely. Easily, actually. I can start on something this week if you want?”
I think it’s supposed t
o be a statement but it comes out as a question. “Of course, man. I’m really diggin’ this. I think it’s going to help give us a little extra something. If this all goes well, and you’re up for it, I may have you design up some ads. Is that something you’d be interested in?”
“Oh, yeah!” he says excitedly. “Sorry I’m kind of amped up over this. I just graduated back in the spring and I haven’t really been pursuing my degree much so this is kind of my first go at things. I interned at a firm for a few months but I don’t think the whole office thing is my strong point, so I was going to try out the whole freelancing thing.” He takes a deep breath. “Thanks for taking a chance on me, man. I appreciate it. I’m gonna have to take Rae out to dinner for this one,” he laughs.
I laugh too, but mine’s a nervous one. If I wasn’t worried before, I’m really worried now.
My inner Logical Hudson tries to reason with me: Maybe they’re just really close friends?
But the more inappropriate No-Bullshit Hudson sitting in the forefront of my mind disagrees: Nope, dude. They’re fucking or they’re exes. They were way too chummy for anything else.
And then there’s the Hudson who can’t keep his mouth shut: “Yeah, that Rae sure is something.”
An odd expression passes over Perry’s face but it’s gone before I can really register it. It’s then replaced with awe, clearly showing how highly he thinks of the girl I can’t get out of my head. “You’re preaching to the choir. She’s a handful, that’s for sure.”
Out of nowhere, the urge to slap that love-stricken look off his face hits me, because it’s become clear that No-Bullshit Hudson has taken over my brain.
I somehow contain all of my violent urges and force more polite laughter out. “So, did you have anything for me to sign? Anything else I need to fill out?”
He pulls a packet of papers from the binder. “I do. I actually have a little questionnaire you can fill out. It gives me some ideas of what little extra stuff you’re wanting on your website, that kind of stuff. Then I have a contract for you to sign. Now, I know that most designers require a down payment of sorts. You’ll see in the contract that I put down twenty-five percent for starters and then the rest when the project is complete. If you’re okay with that, we can do that today so that I can get started on things.”
Here's to Tomorrow Page 9
