Total pages in book: 188
Estimated words: 182255 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 911(@200wpm)___ 729(@250wpm)___ 608(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 182255 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 911(@200wpm)___ 729(@250wpm)___ 608(@300wpm)
Seth could make that happen.
If he didn’t fuck up this reunion.
In the ensuing silence, Laura’s gaze drifted to Heavenly and Beck, who stood near Seth. Her brow furrowed slightly, curiosity flickering across her face. She probably wasn’t surprised that he’d brought his fiancée to their custody discussion. After all, from Laura’s perspective, Heavenly would be helping him raise Hudson.
But she was probably very confused about why he’d brought another man to this meeting.
Seth resisted the urge to scrub a nervous hand down his face and fastened on a smile as he gestured toward his angel. “Laura, you’ve spoken on the phone to my fiancée, Heavenly.”
She stepped forward, hand extended. “It’s nice to finally meet you.”
“You, too.” Laura shook it, her smile polite.
But her attention strayed to Beck, the predictable question all over her face.
Seth cleared his throat, nerves jangling. “And this is Dr. Beckman. Beck to his friends.”
Recognition crossed her face, and Seth saw the moment she relaxed, as if she thought she had the proper context to understand why Beck had come along. “The doctor you share a house with. Nice to meet you.”
Beck nodded, his expression locked down as he shook Laura’s hand, then Ted’s. “Good to meet you both.”
But Seth saw a muscle tick in Beck’s jaw. He hated being the third wheel, and he’d been shoved into that role too much these past few days—a situation Seth needed to change.
Starting this morning.
Another silence fell. The moment stretched on, everyone standing in the middle of the diner, not quite sure what to do next while other patrons gave them curious side-eyes. Finally, Ted gestured to the big table in the corner. “Should we sit?”
“Yeah.” Seth forced a smile, grateful for the redirect.
Fuck, this was awkward.
They all shuffled to the back. Laura slid into the seat next to the high chair after she strapped in a happily babbling Emma. Ted took the seat on the other side of the baby, at the foot of the table. Hudson hesitated, then sat on Laura’s right. Immediately, she reached over and squeezed his hand with a strained smile, her eyes glassy.
Seth took the chair at the head of the table, gesturing Heavenly to his right. Beck flanked her, sitting directly across from Laura and the baby. As everyone focused on their menus, the tension around the table continued in a silent hum.
The waitress appeared carrying a tray of water glasses and a carafe of coffee, her cheerful greeting temporarily filling the stilted silence.
Once she was gone, Laura turned to Hudson. “Is LA still as cool as you told me when we talked last week?”
“Yeah.” The teen nodded.
“That’s good. Tell me more about your school.”
“Mom, it’s a school. But the people are okay.”
“So you’ve made new friends?”
“A few, mostly through the football team.”
“Now that you’re the new wide receiver, I’ll bet lots of girls are interested in you.” Laura grinned.
Seth and Beck shared a knowing glance. He prayed the kid didn’t say anything about his sexual exploits with Casen and Brielle.
“A few.” His smirk was cocky, but he didn’t stray into dangerous territory.
“Of course.” Laura grinned, then sobered. “What about your grades? You still working hard?”
“Yes, Mom.”
“He really is,” Beck seconded. “Especially since we all hound him about his homework every night.”
Hudson rolled his eyes, but nodded his mom’s way. “They really do.”
Heavenly smiled with affection. “We check in with him every day. Not just about his homework, but also how he’s doing. If there’s anything on his mind.”
Laura smiled back. “Thank you.”
“They care a lot, Mom,” Hudson confirmed. “Everything’s good, I swear. I have my own room. Plus they have an awesome pool in the backyard.”
Laura studied him as she dragged in a deep breath. “It sounds like you really like it there.”
“I do.”
“And…you want to stay in LA?”
“Yeah. Absolutely.” Hudson nodded solemnly. “I’m happy there. I have rules, structure, consequences… I don’t love that part, but…they all listen to me.”
Laura frowned. “I listened to you, honey. Always.”
“I know. I just mean...it’s different. I don’t know how to explain it. I just...I feel like I belong there.”
Laura pressed her hand to her mouth, tears pooling in her eyes. Clearly, she was struggling to let go, and Seth didn’t know how to soothe her. If the shoe were on the other foot, he’d be upset, too.
Ted grabbed his wife’s hand and squeezed. “This might be exactly what he needs, sweetheart.”
Laura wiped away the tear as she sent Hudson a smile full of forced cheer. “I just want you to be happy. That’s all I’ve ever wanted.”
“I promise, Hudson’s happiness and wellbeing are my top priorities. Actually, all of ours,” Seth assured.
“Exactly. And I am happy, Mom,” Hudson vowed. “Really, truly.”
Laura absorbed his words, her chest rising and falling as she tried to hold herself together. “Well…then I won’t stand in the way of you living with your father.”