Tequila

by Toppen, Melissa

  “I want to,” he insists, matching my stride as I head back down the tunnel we entered through. “Everybody always gets so up in arms over going backstage but I gotta tell ya, nothing beats being out in the crowd.”

  “Unless you’ve been out there for hours blistering in the sun.”

  “Yeah, about that.” He presses his finger on my shoulder, watching the bright red skin turn white for a split second before going red again.

  “Yeah, I’m aware.”

  “It’s called sunscreen,” he teases.

  “It’s called fair skin,” I retort. “This is after applying sunscreen nearly every hour.” I pull the small, near empty tube from my pocket, proving my point.

  “Wow.” He laughs, shaking his head.

  “Right.” I shove the tube back in my front pocket as we reach the gate. “Well, thanks for walking with me. I’m not sure how exactly I’m going to get back up there.” I gesture toward the people closest to the stage.

  “Flash your backstage pass. They’ll think you’re someone worth moving for.” He winks when he catches my playfully offended expression.

  “You know what, I think I just might do that.” I flip my ponytail as I step past him, turning after I pass the guard. “It was good seeing you again, Colton.” I give him a smile.

  “It was good seeing you too, Lennon. Tell Emma I say hello.”

  “Will do.” I throw up a half wave and quickly walk away without looking back.

  Chapter Seven

  Unknown: Tomorrow can’t come soon enough.

  I smile as I read the text from Hudson, sent approximately forty-five minutes ago. It was such a cluster trying to exit the concert that I hadn’t even thought of checking my phone until now.

  I save the number under Hudson’s name and quickly type out a reply.

  Me: I’m sorry, do I know you?

  I laugh to myself, tucking my knees up against the seat in front of me like I always used to do when I was a kid. Considering the party bus is more like a small school bus, it’s something I do without even really thinking about it.

  Hudson: Maybe not well, but if I have anything to say about it you will.

  His words hold so much promise, the thought sending a thrill right through me, causing me to squirm a little in my seat.

  Me: Is that so? What if I don’t like you once I know you?

  I hold my breath as I watch the dots bounce across the screen, stop, and then start again seconds later.

  Hudson: You liked me just fine five years ago.

  The memory of our night together hits me like a hammer, pounding into me.

  Me: Liked being the operative word.

  Hudson: You wound me, Luscious Lennon.

  Me: To be fair, I didn’t really know you five years ago. One night hardly classifies knowing someone.

  Hudson: Well now’s the perfect time to remedy that.

  Me: And if it turns out I really don’t like you? What then?

  Hudson: Oh, you’ll like me just fine.

  I read over his last message several times, knowing with complete certainty that he’s right. I more than liked him during our night together. Hell, the days following that night I almost swore I had fallen for him.

  It was ludacris, of course. Who falls in love with someone they just met? Then again, deep in my chest, whether I want to admit it or not, Hudson really did take a piece of me with him after that night. A piece, no matter how hard I’ve tried, I couldn’t seem to get back.

  My phone signals another text message, pulling me from my thoughts.

  Hudson: Meet me at Mimi’s around noon?

  Me: And Mimi’s is where exactly?

  Hudson: Just off the main strip. I’ll text you the address in the morning.

  Me: Okay. Sounds like a plan.

  My fingers hover over the screen as I fight the urge to type more.

  “Lennon, did you hear me?” I look up to see Starr turned backward in the seat in front of me, an annoyed look on her face.

  “Sorry, what?” I quickly lock my phone and drop it onto the seat next to me.

  “I asked if you were going to tell me what happened with the Hudson James,” she repeats the question I didn’t hear the first time around.

  When I finally made my way back to the group, Travis Travers was already on stage and my sister and her friends were too enthralled with the way he was shaking his ass to question where I’d disappeared to.

  Sandy had given me a strange look to which I mouthed “Later,” before turning my attention to the man on stage.

  “This I need to hear.” Sandy leans sideways in the seat across from my sister, her head popping into view.

  “Sorry to disappoint, but there really isn’t anything to tell,” I semi lie.

  “Bullshit,” Starr bites out, pointing her finger right at my face. “I know that look, Lennon Marie. Now spill.”

  “I’m meeting him for lunch tomorrow,” I say without meaning to.

  “You’re having lunch with Hudson James?” Starr says almost disbelieving.

  “His name is Hudson Demasi, and yes, we are meeting tomorrow at noon at some place called Mimi’s.”

  “Tell me how it is that you just happen to know this guy? I mean, not that you’re not pretty, sis, but have you really looked at that man?”

  I bite back a smile, choosing my next words carefully.

  “I’m going to pretend you didn’t imply that I’m not good looking enough to go to lunch with him. And for your information, I met him five years ago when he was on spring break in Destin with his friend, Colton.”

  “The guy that came out and got you?” Sandy questions.

  I nod in response.

  “So you met him five years ago. But how do you remember each other?” My sister brings me back to what she really wants to know.

  “Emma and I were celebrating her birthday when we met Hudson and Colton. We all hit it off and ended up hanging out the rest of the night. That’s pretty much it. I haven’t seen him since.”

  “So you mean to tell me you only hung out once, yet he was able to recognize you from up on stage among all the other faces? I call bullshit.” She studies me for a long moment before adding, “You slept with him.”

  “No I didn’t.” I shoot her comment down like it’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard and yet something tells me my expression isn’t so convincing.

  “Oh my god, you totally did. You little slut.” She slaps at me playfully.

  “I’m not a slut,” I disagree, the corner of my mouth twitching.

  Truth be told, I’m about the furthest from a slut you can get. Okay maybe not completely, but I’ve only slept with four men in my twenty-seven years on this earth and Hudson is the only one night stand I’ve ever had.

  Starr opens her mouth like she wants to say more, but closes it when the bus pulls to a stop outside of our hotel and the doors slide open.

  “Don’t think you’re getting off that easy,” she warns, standing. “I want every detail later. And I mean every detail.” She shakes her head. “I can’t believe you kept this from me.”

  “Well in my defense, I had no idea he was the Hudson James. Until I saw him on stage I thought he was still some small time guitar player who sang in random bars from time to time.”

  “Uh huh.” She gives me a look that says she really does not believe me before spinning and quickly exiting the bus.

  —-

  “Shut up! Shut up!” Emma squeals so loudly I have to hold the phone away from my ear as to not rupture an eardrum.

  “Calm down. You keep screaming like that you’re likely to give your poor husband a heart attack.”

  “Oh please. He’s heard me scream a lot louder.” Her words drip with seduction and I have no control over the laugh that rips from my throat.

  “I’m completely unsurprised by this news,” I tell her flatly once I’ve reeled in the laughter still apparent in my voice.

  “Considering your room was right next to mi
ne for over half a decade, I should think not,” she smarts. “Now stop trying to change the subject. Hudson. Holy shit, Lennon. How are you not freaking out right now?”

  “Who says I’m not freaking out?” My voice going up an octave.

  “Well if you are freaking out you sound eerily calm doing it.”

  “I think I’m still in shock,” I admit.

  Hell, when I woke up this morning I swore yesterday had been a dream. I was convinced of it. That is until I looked at my phone and saw a message from Hudson sent just after nine this morning. Seconds later I was on the phone with Emma, feeling like I might vomit at any moment.

  I don’t know why I’m so worked up. It’s not like me to get this twisted up over a guy. But this isn’t just any guy. This is the guy that after one night with I was prepared to declare my love to. This is the guy that no man, including Gage, has been able to live up to since.

  I have no idea how a one night stand five years ago could still hold so much weight over me. Maybe it’s because that night with Hudson was magical. Or maybe I’ve convinced myself that Hudson is something he’s not. Even after coming to Nashville and seeing him with another girl I still only thought fondly of him.

  Sure, I was hurt. But I think it was more that I was disappointed. I had hoped to be more than what I’d agreed to. In the end, it was a pretty bitter pill to swallow.

  “Did you hear me, Lennon?” Emma’s annoyed tone pulls me from my thoughts and I blink slowly, wondering where the hell I just went.

  “Sorry.” I shake my head trying to shake off the fog. “What did you say?”

  “I asked what your game plan is,” she says, clearly for the second time.

  “Game plan?” I repeat, not entirely sure I get what she’s asking.

  “Yeah. Your game plan. Clearly he still has the same affect over you as he did five years ago. So what’s your play?”

  “I don’t know what you’re asking me,” my voice full of confusion.

  “Oh my god, Len, sometimes.” She huffs loudly and I can imagine she is shaking her head. “I’m saying that clearly you’re still into him. And considering that he sent Colton after you last night, then insisted you have lunch with him today, I’d say he’s still into you. So, what’s the play? Are you going to go in there hot and tell him straight up that you came to Nashville for him because you wanted more? And that you still want more? Or are you going to try to play it cool, deny anything of the sort, and end up failing miserably anyway.”

  “Well, one, thanks for the confidence. Two, I think you’re getting ahead of yourself. We hooked up, had a great night, ran into each other again after a few years and decided to have lunch to catch up. I don’t want to make it more than it is.”

  “More like you don’t want to get your hopes up again.” Her voice softens as she reads my message loud and clear.

  “Exactly,” I confirm on a slow sigh. “That man crushed me after one night. I can’t go back there again. I’m not ashamed to admit he has a power over me that no one has ever had. I can’t explain it or even begin to understand it, but it’s there. And that was just when he was a regular guy. Now he’s an up and coming musician with his debut album blowing up the charts. It’s only a matter of time before he’s as big as Travis Travers. Then where will that leave me? Even if things progress beyond today, there’s no way this could ever work. And the likelihood that he has interest in that is probably minimal.”

  “I think you’re wrong,” Emma quietly interjects.

  “I don’t think I am,” Glancing at the clock to see it’s already almost ten and I still need to shower and get ready. “I think what I'm going to be is late if I don’t get off here,” I quickly add.

  “Okay. Okay. I’ll let you go. But promise you’ll call as soon as it’s over.”

  “I promise.”

  “Have fun on your date.”

  “It’s not a date. We’re just having lunch,” I argue.

  “Call it whatever you want. I still think you’ll end up flat on your back at the end of it.” She giggles, not waiting for me to reply before ending the call without warning.

  “Why am I friends with her again?” I mutter to the phone in my hand before grumpily tossing it onto the bed.

  Luckily for me, Starr and the other girls headed out a while ago to get breakfast so none of them were here to overhear my conversation with Emma. The last thing I want to do is make this a big deal. The bigger of a deal it is, the more disappointed I will be in the end.

  With that thought, I stand, grabbing the bag with my toiletries in it before quickly ducking into the bathroom. If nothing else maybe a hot shower will help melt away some of the tension bundling tightly in my shoulders.

  Chapter Eight

  “You look beautiful.” It’s the first thing Hudson says to me when I reach him, leaning against the wall outside of Mimi’s. His arms are crossed in front of his chest and a baseball cap is pulled low over his face.

  I have to inhale a steady breath at the sight of him. He’s so good looking it’s almost painful. Faded jeans sit just right on his hips, a gray tee clinging to his large biceps. The man knows what he’s working with and it’s clear he knows how to work it.

  “Thanks,” I manage to choke out.

  I ignore the way my skin lights up as his gaze drops to my sandal covered feet before trailing slowly up my bare legs, his eyes dark by the time they reach mine.

  I had worried that my jean shorts and black top would be too casual but seeing how Hudson is dressed confirms I made the right call.

  “I hope you didn’t have any trouble finding the place.” He smiles like he wasn’t just stripping me bare with his eyes, holding the door open and ushering me inside.

  “Not at all,” I answer when he follows me in. “We’re staying at the Regency just a block away,” I say, looking around.

  Mimi’s is the perfect cross between a fancy restaurant and a casual diner. Dim lighting, dark colored booths, and beautiful place settings make it feel more upscale. But the large glass display filled with baked goods and the casual attire of the staff bring it back down, giving it the balance it needs to fit any type of customer.

  “It’s awesome, right?” Hudson pulls my attention back to him, a small grin playing on his lips. “One of my favorite places to eat, but I don’t get to come here as often as I’d like.”

  “And why’s that?”

  “Just been really busy the last couple of years. Playing gigs, recording the album. It’s been crazy. Sometimes I feel like I don’t even have time to breathe.”

  Before I can think of a way to respond, a middle aged hostess interrupts, asking us how many before leading us to a corner booth on the right side of the restaurant.

  Once seated, I feel even more nervous than I did walking up to the restaurant.

  Just breathe, Lennon. I’m not one that gets nervous often and not entirely sure how to get myself in check.

  The last time I was with Hudson it was so easy. I know a large part of that is because we were drinking. But I think more than anything, back then I didn’t know what he was capable of making me feel. Now I do.

  “So your first album came out two weeks ago,” I state, needing to keep the conversation flowing so I don’t have the chance to get inside my own head.

  He nods.

  “I may have downloaded and listened to the whole thing last night,” I admit.

  “And?”

  “It’s good. Really good. I’m not a huge country music fan but you have this whole rock country thing going. The style really suits your voice.”

  “Thank you. That album was definitely a labor of love. I’m pretty proud of it.”

  “And it seems to be doing really well on the charts.” I open the menu in front of me but make no attempt to look at it. “So I assume you’re touring right now and that’s why you were with Travis last night?”

  “Last night was actually my first show with Travis. I got picked up for the last leg of his tour. Since we’r
e on the same label, they’re all about cross promotion and an artist like Travis Travers can really help give me the exposure I need to make this album a success.”

  “From what I gather it’s already a success,” I interject, briefly glancing down at the menu before looking back to him. “The first single went number one in the first month. For a new artist just hitting the scene, that’s pretty incredible.”

  I pause when a young brunette waitress appears at our table, ignoring the way her eyes widen as she takes in Hudson. At first I think it’s his obvious good looks that have her gawking, but I quickly realize that’s not the only reason she seems to have lost her ability to speak the moment her eyes hit him.

  “You’re Hudson James,” she finally blurts, stumbling over her words. “I love Tequila Haze so much. It’s such a beautiful song.”

  “Thank you, Addie.” Hudson smiles up at the girl whose nametag he clearly just read.

  “This is totally unprofessional, but can I please get a picture with you?” she asks, already pulling her phone out of the front of her apron.

  “Of course,” Hudson answers without hesitation, sliding from the booth as Addie hands me the device.

  I follow suit and quickly position myself in front of them, snapping a couple pictures after Hudson positions his arm around the girl and smiles that panty melting smile of his.

  After looking at the photos, Addie thanks Hudson again, jots down our drink orders, and skips away in a manner that has me half expecting her to trip over her own two feet in her excitement.

  “Sorry about that,” Hudson says as we retake our seats across from each other.

  “Are you kidding?” I shake my head and smile. “That was amazing. Does that happen to you a lot?”

  “Not everywhere I go, but it’s becoming more frequent. It’s weird because I’ve been playing in this town for so long without anyone knowing or caring who I am. Now when someone says my name or asks for a picture or autograph, I briefly wonder if maybe they’ve got the wrong guy.”

  “Sounds surreal.”