Here's to Tomorrow
Page 25
“Ya know…that wouldn’t be a bad idea,” Rae says, obviously having thought of something that I hadn’t yet.
“What’s that?”
“Starting over. Because that’s basically what I’ve done. We can do it too,” she says on a shrug.
I can see that. “Hmm. Okay, deal. We’ll start over then. Hi, I’m Hudson,” I say, sticking my hand out to shake hers.
She smirks. And it’s wicked, nothing like I’ve ever seen. She steps forward some, ignoring my outstretched hand, and looks me dead in the eyes.
“Shouldn’t you at least buy me dinner before you screw me?”
And I fall in love with her mouth all over again.
Rae
“Joey Eleanor Tamell, hurry your little butt up! We’re on a schedule!” Hudson yells up the stairs.
It’s New Year’s Eve and Hudson’s taking me “out.” I think I’ve asked about a million times since he told me last week, even enlisting Joey’s help. It’s locked up tight. He won’t tell me jack shit.
“I’m coming, I’m coming! Geez!” she shouts back, running down the hallway.
“No running, dude,” Hudson reminds her.
“You’re so bossy,” I tell him jokingly.
He shoots me a glare. “Don’t even start, woman. I’ll leave you here.”
“Well, since I have no idea where we’re going, I don’t know if I should be upset by that or not.”
He gives me his stupid smirk again. “Oh, you so should.”
I stick my tongue out at him and reach for Joey’s hand. “Come on, bug. I’m sitting in back with you. Your dad’s mean tonight.”
“He’s getting so grouchy in his old age,” she says seriously.
“Oh, sick burn,” I say over my shoulder to Hudson.
“I’ll leave you both here!” he threatens.
We both just shrug.
After we drop Joey off at Elle’s, making sure to give her extra kisses for the New Year, we head into Boston. I bounce in my seat the entire way, still having no clue where we’re headed. There’s only half an hour left until midnight and I’m starting to wonder if we’re going to be late or not.
“Are we there yet?” I ask impatiently.
“You’re worse than Joey is,” Hudson laughs.
“Well, if you would just tell me, I wouldn’t have to ask a million times.”
“Patience. We’re like five minutes away.”
He lied. It was ten after traffic.
We pull into a jam-packed parking garage. He gets out and opens my door for me.
“Hudson, this is really lame. I’ve been to plenty of parking garages in my life.”
“Shush. Just come on. It’s just right up the street.”
He lied again. It was up two streets.
A slow, warm feeling starts low in my gut as we start to cross an intersection. There’s a small crowd of people milling around and I’m not sure what for. I just happen to glance up at the awning above them.
“HOLY FUCKING SHIT! NO WAY!” I scream loudly, causing just about everyone on the street to look at us.
Hudson laughs hard.
“No, no, no, no! Are you shitting me?” I turn to him, still yelling.
He shakes his head, that stupid smirk on his face. “Nope. This is real. This is very real.”
“My first Transit show! On New Year’s Eve! Holy. Shit.”
“You’re welcome,” he says smugly.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you! I love you!” I say, throwing myself into his arms.
“I love you too, weirdo. Now let’s go in before we’re late. We only have a few minutes and we don’t want to miss the opening song.”
Once inside, I glance around in wonder. It looks so small on the outside but the inside looks huge. It’s crowded; there are tons of people holding beers and laughing—some even dancing to the music playing over the speakers.
We push our way through the crowd, trying to get as close to the front as possible. We find the perfect spot just as the lights dim. The crowd erupts. The band takes the stage.
“10…,” the singer starts, “9…8…7…6…5…4…3…2…1! Happy New Year!” everyone shouts in unison.
Hudson wraps his arms around me from behind and kisses my neck softly.
“I love you, Rae. Here’s to tomorrow,” he says in my ear.
I smile. Because this? This is bliss. This is my tomorrow. My forever. My everything.
I’m not really sure how to start this, so here goes nothing!
Henry, you’re the best damn husband (or guy) I could have asked for. You make me smile daily. I can never repay you enough for all the laughter and joy you’ve brought into my life. Thank you for not knowing how to spell lesbian, because without that, we’d have never met.
sMother, you’re my favorite sMother and my best best friend. I really did mean everything I wrote to you in that drunken rambling note. I love you. Thank you.
Bonnie Rae Stark—my B—I adore you. Your friendship means the world to me. Thank you for always being there for me, even when all I want to do is talk about hot guys (*cough* Nick and Brandyn *cough*). Just…thank you, hooker. Thank you for being you and for being weird just like me. You already know you’ve inspired Maura and I hope that when you read the next book, you see how much you’ve grown just as she does.
Twinsie, do I really even have to say anything? You know I love you, girl. Kiss my babies for me!
#DrugBustJamie…I love you, dude. Like for reals.
Murphy, I like you and your dirty back just fine. But really, thank you for editing this book. I think that without your amazing editing skills I would have been quite unhappy with several parts of this book. I don’t think I can tell you “thank you” enough but…THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! Shit. I almost forgot…THANK YOU!
Fake Mrs. Will Cooper (AKA Mrs. Walker Wannabe), Chelle, Kristin, and Laurie…thank you for taking a chance and beta reading for me! You’re all awesome and helped a ton! This book would’ve been missing quite a few pieces without you all.
Assholes. You know exactly who I’m talking about. You crazy ladies light up my day a good 5 out of 7. I hold you all high on my list of Okay People. Thanks for all the laughs and for threatening to kick my ass when I need it!
Dawn Billings…you are amazing. You were the first person to ever read my book the whole way through. You have no idea how much your begging for more kept me going. Thank you for loving my words and pushing me to finish.
Dawn Ramkissoon, your constant support is appreciated beyond belief. Thank you for being there for me to vent and for sprinting with me when I need it. NOW GO WRITE!
Jenn and Kim, thank you for all your support and “letting” me write on design time! I think I owe you a couple working hours.
Even though I know this will never get read by them, I have to thank the band Transit that inspired the setting for this book. You dudes kept my head (and heart) in the game all throughout writing. Thanks for the sweet tunes! Oh, and everyone else, GO LISTEN TO THEM! They are amazing!
To my sister, who makes fun of me and laughs with me just like Rae and Haley.
And to everyone that I’m forgetting because I so know I’m forgetting someone…thanks, dudes! All your support means the world to me.
Finally, you, the reader. Thank you for taking a chance on me. I hope you fell in love with Rae and Hudson and their weird mouths just as much as I did. Don’t worry…you’ll see them again soon. Maura’s up next!
With love and unwavering gratitude,
Teagan
TEAGAN HUNTER is a romance cover artist by day and a writer by…well every free moment she gets. She lives in Boring Town, MO with her wonderful husband, two dogs, and lots of saltwater fish. Teagan enjoys reading, binge-watching TV shows (especially Supernatural!), cold weather, and never matching her socks. She’s weird. It’s kind of her “thing.”
You can find Teagan on:
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Or contact her via email:
teaganhunterwrites@gmail.com
Copyright © 2015 Teagan Hunter
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Editor credit: Indie Solutions by Murphy Rae www.murphyrae.net
Cover Design and Interior format by The Killion Group
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