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)
She looked stricken, her gaze dropping to the table. Seth could see her mind racing—her teenage son living with three adults in an arrangement she’d never imagined and probably didn’t condone.
He waited, heart pounding, giving her space to think or ask more questions. He just hoped she wasn’t already judging him—and deciding that his love life made him an unfit parent.
Hudson surprised him by jumping in. “Mom, it’s no big deal. Think of it this way: most kids have two parents. In LA, I’ve got three. It’s not weird—at least not to me. So, please…don’t freak out.”
Seth held his breath as he watched Laura’s face, gauging her reaction.
“Not weird?” she challenged, sounding slightly incredulous.
“Yeah.” Hudson nodded. “It’s not like they’re fucking in front of me.”
Seth exploded—at the same time Laura did. “Hudson!”
Their stares met. He sent her a look that was something between a grimace and grin. After a tense moment, she grinned back.
That broke some of the tension.
“Clearly, we’re both parents,” Seth drawled.
“It would seem.”
Laura’s expression shifted. The rigid tension in her shoulders eased. Hudson hadn’t conveyed his point the way Seth would have chosen…but maybe his son had known how to reach Laura in a way he couldn’t.
Finally, Laura turned back to Hudson. “If it’s not weird, what is it like?”
“Honestly? Balanced. Heavenly is kind of…the beauty to their beasts, you know? She keeps the place homey. Plus, she’s a really good cook. Dad is supportive but firm. And if I screw up, Beck is a straight-up hard-ass.”
Seth bit back a grin. Clearly, Hudson had been paying attention.
Laura blinked, her thoughts obviously racing. Finally, she glanced at her husband, as if seeking his input.
Ted shrugged.
The silence stretched on. Uncomfortable. Heavy. Seth’s pulse kicked up again. Despite his son’s assurances, she could still decide that he wasn’t fit to finish raising Hudson.
“Honey…” Ted said into the silence, surprising Seth. “Hudson is almost an adult. You didn’t raise him to be naïve.” He glanced at the teen, then back at Laura. “This situation might not seem ideal…but he’s clearly okay with it. Hell, he seems like he’s thriving. If it’s not hurting him, then why does it matter if Seth sleeps with the same woman Beck does?”
Laura blinked, absorbing the question. Then her gaze drifted back to Hudson, and she really looked at him, as if she was seeing someone she didn’t fully recognize. “Not only have you gotten taller, but you’ve also matured.”
Hudson ducked his head slightly, a little embarrassed but also pleased. “He’s a good dad.”
Seth’s pride swelled. He’d barely had a month to make an impact on the kid. To hear Hudson say that out loud was both a relief and an affirmation he’d treasure.
He held his breath and watched Laura’s expression shift again. Shock gave way to something softer. Acceptance?
Seth leaned forward slightly, wanting to stress his final point. “Look, I know our relationship is unconventional, but the three of us together actually benefits Hudson. Like he pointed out, he has three parental figures looking out for him, not just two. We can keep a closer eye on him. There’s always an adult around.” He allowed himself a wry smile. “Besides, both Beck and I were rowdy teenagers, so we know exactly what to look for—and how to nip any bullshit in the bud.”
Laura’s gaze flicked to Beck, who nodded once, his serious expression its own confirmation.
She closed her eyes. Seconds passed, feeling like half an eternity. Seth’s heart continued hammering. Everything rode on whether she could accept the life he’d built.
Finally, Laura opened her eyes and exhaled slowly. “Of all the things I thought you’d say today, this wasn’t what I expected.”
“I’m sure that’s an understatement,” Seth drawled.
“And then some. But I trust my son. If Hudson is okay with it…” She blew out a breath. “Then…I guess I am, too.”
Relief crashed over Seth like a wave. Holy shit. She’d actually said yes.
He knew accepting his news hadn’t been easy for Laura. But she’d still trusted him enough to do it.
Maybe his mother would take the news better than he expected when he sat her down on Monday.
Laura turned to Hudson, her expression soft but serious. “But I need you to make me another promise. If you’re ever not okay with this—if anything makes you uncomfortable or if you change your mind—you tell me. Immediately.”
Hudson nodded without hesitation. “I will. But that’s not gonna happen.” His voice was steady, confident. “Once I got used to the idea, it just felt…normal.”
Laura exhaled, her shoulders sagging slightly as the last of the fight drained out of her. Ted reached over and squeezed her shoulder—a quiet reminder that she wasn’t losing Hudson. He was just growing up. Making his own choices. And she was supporting him.
Seth gripped Heavenly’s hand under the table. She glanced at him, her eyes full of warmth and understanding. Beside her, Beck caught his gaze and sent him an affirming nod.