Here's to Tomorrow

by Teagan Hunter

  I glance over the questionnaire and contract. It all seems pretty legit to me. “You say you’re just getting started in this? This contract looks pretty good for a newbie,” I tell him honestly.

  “Yeah, my dad’s pretty handy with the legal jargon. Plus, my uncle is an accountant at a law firm so he’s got the inside scoop on what makes a good contract.”

  “Nice. Lucky you then.” I quickly fill out what I can of the questionnaire and sign the contract. “I’m gonna be straight with you, Perry. I’m not real good with the creative stuff like this. I have no idea what works and what doesn’t. I know that in my profession, I hate when people try to tell me how to do my job, so I’m going to leave it all pretty much up to you. I filled in a few things I would definitely like to see but that’s it. I’m a pretty easygoing guy and I have a feeling you’re not going to screw me over.” And I’m being honest. My gut is telling me to at least trust his artistic abilities, if nothing else. “So, I’m leaving a lot of this up to you. Now, who do I make the check out to?”

  I pay Perry and we wrap up our meeting with a promise of seeing something by Thursday—Wednesday at the earliest. I’m pumped. He seems to have some solid ideas for the new look. I’m hoping it’s going to be everything I’m wanting.

  I’m also really hoping that Logical Hudson is right, that they’re just really close friends and not exes. Either way, I hope it all goes quickly because I honestly don’t know how long I can stomach working with him when he clearly has feelings for Rae. Especially after that weird sudden urge to smash the guy’s overly pretty face in.

  The worst part is that I have no right at all to have any sort of urges like that. I don’t own Rae. I don’t really even know her that well. Hell, I’m not even really dating her yet. There’s no reason for this, but I can’t help it. I have this odd feeling of protectiveness when it comes to her. I felt it the first time I looked into her eyes. They were familiar and almost seemed to be reaching out to me for some sort of help.

  And I know—I know—that sounds absolutely crazy considering I just met the girl, but like I said, it seems like I already know her. If there’s anything I’ve learned about myself over the last three years, it’s to trust my gut. My gut is saying to pursue all things Rae-related so I plan to do just that.

  Rae

  To say that I was a little nervous about tonight would be a serious downplay of my current mental state. I’m a lot nervous. Like sick-to-my-stomach-all-day nervous.

  I’m t-minus two hours out from my date with Hudson and I have about twelve different outfits—that I didn’t even know I owned—strewn about my room, because I’ve been running in circles for the past hour in an absolute panic about what to wear.

  “Pick up, pick up, pick up,” I mumble into my phone. I’ve been alternating between calling my sister and Maura for the last five minutes. Neither are answering because they’re both still at work.

  I throw my phone onto my bed and take two steps to resume my pacing when there’s a knock on the door. I wrap my robe a little tighter around me while I pad out into the living room. I check the peephole before I open the door.

  “Finally! You’re not exactly who I was looking for but you’ll do. Come on!” I say, grabbing onto Perry and dragging him through the apartment.

  “Right. Good to see you as well, Rae. How’s life?”

  I glance back to see a cute little grin smeared across his face. “Shush,” I say, directing him to my room and pushing him down onto my bed. “Sit and stay,” I command. “I need help. I have no idea what to wear and I have a date tonight. Help. Please?”

  He rolls his eyes and sighs. “Fine. I suck at this shit, but since I love you and owe you a lot for the Jacked Up job, I’ll help. Show me what you’ve got.”

  I squeal a bit and start holding up clothes. He shoots down all my dresses and skirts, citing the weather as his reasoning. I think he’s just being big-brotherly again. I hold up a few of my more questionable tops to prove my theory. I’m right. That’s what he’s doing and I completely love him for it.

  After about four of my more clean-cut tops, I’m just as frustrated as I was before he showed up. “You’re no help, Perry! You’re shooting everything down!”

  “That’s because you’re showing me complete shit. Everything looks like club outfits so far. You’re not going to a club, are you?”

  He’s right. Every outfit I’ve shown him so far has been way more appropriate for the club, not dinner at someone’s apartment. “No, I’m going to his place for dinner.”

  “See? You’re going about this all wrong then. If he invited you over for dinner, then he probably wants to do more than just rub all over each other on his couch, which is what wearing those clothes is gonna lead to. Trust me, I’m a guy, and that’s probably the only thing I’d be thinking about if a girl wore that shit to my place.”

  “Fine. Help me pick something casual and cute then,” I tell him.

  He gets up and starts flipping through my closet like he owns the place. I’m so lucky this guy loves me like he does because I know there’s no one else he’d do this for.

  He walks back over to me, holding out a pair of dark-grey super-skinny jeans and a dark-purple short-sleeved top. The top has a lacy overlay and dips low enough in the front to say I’m interested but not too interested.

  “I think he’ll appreciate this one.”

  “Yeah, I think Hudson will love it,” I tell him.

  “Hudson? As in Jacked Up Hudson? The Hudson whose website I submitted today for approval?” Perry asks, slightly panicked.

  I gulp a little loudly. “Yes…”

  “What in the hell, Rae? Why didn’t you tell me that’s who it was? Why didn’t you mention you were dating him when you texted me about the job?” He sounds pissed.

  I shrug. “I don’t know. I didn’t think it was that big a deal.”

  “Not a big deal? Of course it is! He probably thinks I’m too stupid to get work on my own or that I begged you to throw me a bone! Dammit, Rae! I don’t want your charity cases, especially because you’re dating the guy!”

  I can’t seem to do anything but stand there and stare at him. He’s crazy, bonkers, totally out of his fucking mind.

  But…I can get it. He’s scared, just like I am. He wants to do this on his own, prove to himself that he can do it and not fail. He doesn’t want to have to rely on everyone else like his mother did his entire life. He doesn’t want people to give him handouts or not think for one second he didn’t work his hardest to achieve something on his own. He’s always been that way and you’d never guess from the easygoing smile he always wears.

  “Perry,” I say gently. I grab him, turning him to face me, and reaching up to place my hands on his shoulders. I look him directly in the eyes. “What you just said? It’s not even close to being accurate. You know me. I’d never do that. I only referred you for your mad design skills. I knew you’d be able to give Jacked Up the makeover it deserves. And Hudson? This is kind of like our first date, because the first one—which was a blind date—didn’t really count. He has no idea at all that you’re my cousin. None. So whatever he said to you, whatever deal you two worked out, it’s all on you and your talent. It has nothing at all to do with me.” I grab his face between my hands. “Got it?”

  He closes his eyes briefly. When he opens them back up, I can tell he’s calmed down. Typical Perry.

  “Got it.” He winces a little. “I’m sorry, Rae.” And then he’s folding me into his arms and hugging me tightly. “I didn’t mean to overreact. It’s just…well, you know. I’m sorry.”

  I pat his back. “Can’t…breathe…,” I manage to choke out. He chuckles and lets me go. “We good?”

  He nods. “Always.”

  “Good. Now get the fuck out because I have a date to get ready for and I only have an hour to make some serious magic happen,” I say, pushing him out the door.

  “Pft. Yeah, right. You’re always beautiful. No magic there. Just good genes,
” he winks at me.

  “True. Now go.” He’s opening the door when I realize something. “Perry?” He turns around. “Why’d you stop by?”

  “Just had a feeling you were needing me,” he smiles easily, but I can tell something’s up. He’s avoiding eye contact and that’s a dead giveaway when it comes to Perry and me. He knows how I feel about that shit.

  I nod and blow him a kiss, pretending everything is okay. “Love you.” He returns the words and gesture as he closes the door, leaving me staring after him.

  He’s been acting a little off lately and I’m not sure what’s going on. We usually talk about anything and everything. Me saying Perry is my best friend is not an exaggeration. We grew up like brother and sister, only with a slightly different bond. We’re as close as twins some days. He means the world to me and I’m worried about him. I know he goes through little bouts of depression from time to time that can get fairly ugly, so I’m genuinely concerned for him.

  The last time this happened was a year ago. He was out of it for about a month before I finally broke him down and made him go see a therapist. He went for about two months and then claimed he was “fixed” and never went back. I know he’s not but okay I can’t force him to do anything he doesn’t want to do.

  I shake off my thoughts, knowing there’s not much that can be done tonight, and start getting ready for my date with Hudson.

  After putting on my jeans and shirt, I add a small spritz of curling cream and hair spray to make sure my naturally curly mane doesn’t turn into to a complete train wreck throughout the night. I finish up my beauty routine by applying a little more mascara than normal and some lip gloss with a faint sheen to it. The outfit gets completed with an antique-looking long silver necklace filled with several different charms, and my black leather boots that always make me feel like a badass when I wear them.

  I check the clock and realize I’m running a few minutes late. Nothing my lead foot can’t fix. I grab my small bag and leather jacket and hit the road.

  I’m standing on Hudson’s doorstep before I realize it and I’m about one thousand percent positive I didn’t breathe the entire way here. That’s the only explanation I have for the dizziness I’m currently feeling.

  You can do this, Rae. Just press the damn doorbell. It won’t bite you. It can’t because it’s an inanimate object. Just press the button!

  As I’m reaching out to the press the doorbell, the door is yanked open. I scream and stumble backward. I’m bracing myself for the fall that’s probably going to bruise my ass, but it never comes. Hudson grabs me before I hit the ground.

  I’m looking up into his stormy eyes when something along the lines of my “my hero” comes flying out of my mouth. I can only hope Hudson didn’t hear me.

  He laughs. Shit. He probably heard me.

  “Yeah, I heard you. Why do you think my doorbell is gonna bite you?” Fuck! “I can still hear you, Rae. You might want to reign those thoughts in before you start talking about how ridiculously hot I am,” he jokes.

  This causes me to check him out. He’s right. He does look ridiculously hot. He’s in jeans and a plain grey thermal that brings out the green in his eyes. His hair is the perfect sort of messy it always is and that ever present five o’clock shadow is gracing his perfectly tanned face.

  He smiles at me. A-ha! I’ve finally found a flaw that I hadn’t noticed before. His bottom front tooth has a small chip in it and the one next to it is a bit crooked.

  I frown slightly because I realize that none of this actually takes away from his beauty—it adds to it.

  He sets me upright. “So, did you want to come in?”

  I straighten my top some and grab my swaying necklace—a nervous habit of mine. “Sure.”

  The first thing I notice when we walk inside is how small it is. It’s even smaller than the apartment I share with Haley. You can see everything but the bedroom and bathroom—which are down a very small hallway—just by standing at the door. Despite all that, it’s cute and very cozy.

  The second thing I notice is how clean it is. It’s spotless. Like so spotless I doubt there’s even a speck of dust in the whole place. The bright white walls just add to how clean it looks.

  There are a few simple paintings hung about and a big black sofa with small red throw pillows sitting opposite a huge TV that takes up almost the entire front wall. You can tell the place lacks that special feminine touch, but it’s still lived-in. It’s warm, inviting, friendly. I can easily see Hudson spending his nights here.

  “Now that you have sufficiently checked out my humble abode from just the front door, would you like the grand tour?” Hudson teases.

  “I’m not sure that will be necessary,” I deadpan.

  “Good point.” He sweeps his arm dramatically over the room. “Welcome. This is my home away from mother’s. I know it’s not much, but it’s getting me by until the repairs on the house get done.”

  “It’s cute. It fits you.”

  He clutches his chest. “Cute? You mean manly? That must be what you mean. We’re pretending you said manly.”

  I laugh. “Yes, manly indeed.”

  Suddenly, a medium-sized black Lab comes barreling out of what I assume is the bedroom. The dog lets out one solid bark and stands itself up on my legs, begging to be pet.

  “Rocky, down!”

  I reach out and rustle the hair behind the dog’s ears. “It’s okay, Hudson. Rocky’s just curious about the hot chick in your apartment. He’s not used to you bringing home such attractive dates,” I say, shooting Hudson a look, just asking him to tell me differently.

  That stupid sexy smirk takes over his face again. “He’s definitely not.”

  I continue to get to know Rocky while Hudson heads into the kitchen.

  “You want something to drink, Rae? I have Dr. Pepper, tea, apple juice, beer—no root—and water.”

  As weird as I think it is for a grown, single man to have apple juice, I ask for it anyway. “Apple juice is fine.”

  “Coming right up,” he says happily. He brings the cup of juice into the living room, taking a seat on the couch. I stand up from petting Rocky and sit down next to him.

  “Rae. I have a confession to make.”

  My face drops. Oh, crap. Here it comes. He’s married or some shit. I knew it was too good to be true!

  “I can’t cook,” Hudson says seriously.

  I don’t remember the last time I had such an urge to punch someone, other than Clarissa on her really bitchy days. I take a deep breath, exhaling sharply, and do something I don’t often manage to do: I think before I speak.

  Now, I’m going to be really candid here. Just because I think before I speak, it does not mean that whatever comes out of my mouth is going to be some profound, eloquent shit. Because more than likely, it won’t be. That’s not who I am and I’m mostly okay with that.

  “Asshat!” Yeah, that’s what comes flying out after all that thinking. And there’s that stupid sexy smirk again. “You had me really worried for a minute. I thought you were going to tell me you were married or something, which would be rude since I totally proposed to you the other night, and since this is a date.”

  I can tell he’s trying to hold his laughter over my outburst in. “Sorry, no, I’m not married. I think you’d secretly enjoy the sneaking around, though.”

  “Liar.”

  “True,” he smiles. “Anyway, I called some pizzas in at about five ‘til. I got pepperoni, sausage, and black olives on one and plain cheese on the other. I wasn’t sure what you like.”

  “I hate pizza,” I tell him with a straight face. He pales. “Kidding. I could live off it.”

  He chuckles. “Guess I deserved that.”

  “You definitely did. So, other than us devouring two pizzas—because I fully plan on having at least five pieces to myself—what did you have in mind for tonight?”

  “Movie?”

  “Ah, keeping it simple and classy. I can dig it,” I tell him.
“What movie?”

  He eyes me seriously. “Well, I was hoping to let you pick. That way if you pick something horrible, I can find an excuse to get you to leave before the pizza arrives so there’s more for me while I drown my sorrows over what could have been.”

  I think for a second. “Step Brothers.”

  “Did we just become best friends?”

  I just fell in love with this man. Okay, not really, but I cannot believe he just quoted my favorite movie to me!

  “Yep!”

  “Wanna go do karate in the garage?”

  “Yep!”

  Hudson shakes his head, a huge grin plastered on his face.

  “I think it’s my turn to propose to you. I can’t believe you just did that with me!” Hudson exclaims.

  “Right now, I’d probably say yes. I love that movie! I think I’ve watched it at least fifty times.”

  The doorbell rings. “Well tonight will make fifty-one then,” he replies, walking to the door.

  I love the smile on his face when he looks through the peephole. He swings open the door. “Gaige! What up, man? I didn’t know you were working tonight.”

  Standing in the doorway is one of the guys who was at Clyde’s the night I saw Hudson there. If it wasn’t obvious at the bar, it’s obvious now. Gaige is gorgeous. I know that’s an odd description to use on a guy, but it’s true. He’s only lit up by the hazy yellow porch light and he’s still so good-looking with his smooth features and dark hair that’s impeccably styled. Even in his pizza delivery uniform, you can tell he’s got some solid muscle on him. It’s not overwhelming, though, and it fits his tall frame perfectly. I can’t recall what color his eyes were from the bar but from where I’m standing they seem dark under his bushy eyebrows.

  His eyes find mine over Hudson’s shoulder and he nods his head at me slightly before turning back to his friend. “Yeah, I wasn’t supposed to but picked up a shift at the last minute. You know how that is. I saw your name pop up on the deliveries and snagged it. I also threw in a little discount.”