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)
“You’re trusting me with information that could fuck you up?”
“I want our father-son relationship to work, Hudson. I care about you being in my life, and I’m hoping we can figure out how to get along and build something solid together.” Seth’s voice was steady, but he felt the weight of the admission. He was already attached to this kid, snark and all.
“Huh.” Hudson seemed to digest that as they moved into a new area of the map. “Okay. Your turn to ask questions.”
“I wasn’t waiting for permission, but since you offered… You have a driver’s license?”
“Yeah, got it on my birthday. Already told Beck that.”
“You drink or do drugs?”
Hudson hesitated. “I drink at parties sometimes. Tried coke once but didn’t like it, so I don’t do that shit anymore.”
“Good. It will rot your brain. I was a teenager once, so I get wanting to party. If you drink, it won’t be out there, without me knowing. And it won’t be behind the wheel. I get custody of your car keys. Deal?”
“Deal, I guess.”
“Tell me about your childhood. Before your mom got married.”
“We were pretty poor and lived in run-down apartments. We moved around a lot, but mostly stayed close to Grandma. I spent a lot of time with her when I was little. Mom didn’t have any other family.” In the game, Hudson took heavy fire, so Seth came with backup and blew his attacker away. “We didn’t have to watch every dime once Mom married Ted, but…”
“But you don’t like him.”
Hudson gave a half shrug. “He’s not a bad guy. A bit of an asswipe. He treats me like I might break something valuable.” Hudson made a face. “But everything turned to shit after the baby came.”
Seth could imagine that suddenly having an infant around was a shock. “Tell me about school. You have a favorite subject?”
“I like science and history. Math is okay. I make decent grades…but I could do better if I actually tried.”
“Try.” Seth slanted him a fatherly glare. “Sports?”
“I play football and baseball. Made varsity in both as a sophomore.”
Of course Hudson would be athletic, like him. “Nice. Got a car?”
“No, but I want one.” Hudson shot Seth a hopeful look.
“We’ll see how you do with the rules first.” Seth grinned. “You got a sex life?”
“Hell, yeah. That’s not changing,” Hudson said matter-of-factly.
Christ, the kid really was just like him. “You use protection?”
“Always.” He frowned. “No offense. I don’t want to be a teenage father.”
“Smart. I didn’t plan on that, either. Any idea what you want to be when you grow up?”
Hudson was quiet for a moment, concentrating on an incoming wave of enemies. “I always wanted to be a cop.”
Seth nearly dropped his controller. The words brought back memories of his father in uniform, of his own years on the force before everything went to hell.
“Really?”
“Beck mentioned you used to be one. Like your dad.”
Seth’s throat felt tight. Grace would be shocked when she found out about Hudson, but learning he wanted to follow in the Cooper tradition of law enforcement? She’d be over the moon. And his father… God, his dad would be so proud that another generation wanted to carry on the legacy.
“If that’s what you want, I’ll help however I can,” Seth managed.
They finished the mission in companionable silence, then started comparing likes and dislikes while loading into the next mission. They both loved spicy foods, action and sci-fi movies, and sports—especially the Yankees. They both hated beets, Brussels sprouts, and standing in lines. Seth was shocked to discover how much they had in common.
“You know,” Hudson said during a brief lull in the action, “I came here planning to rip you a new asshole for running out on my mom. Wanted to find a whole bunch of reasons to hate you.”
“And now?”
Hudson glanced at him sideways. “You’re actually…decent, which is annoying because it would be easier if you were a dick.”
Seth felt relief settle in his chest. “Whether or not you came to LA looking for a dad, you’ve got one now. I mean that, Hudson. I want to be involved in your life.”
“Yeah?” For the first time, Hudson’s mask slipped completely, revealing the vulnerable kid underneath. “Even though I’m already sixteen and probably more trouble than I’m worth?”
“Especially because of that.” Seth bumped Hudson’s shoulder with his own. “Coopers stick together.”
It was too early, but Seth was already itching to make Hudson a Cooper legally. He’d have to see how things went, but the way everything stood now? He’d be talking to his son and Laura about that soon.
As they settled into the next mission, Seth’s thoughts raced. In the span of a few hours, he’d gone from fearing hypothetical fatherhood to actually being a dad to a half-grown teenager. Part of him was terrified. But another part of him, the part that was already growing fiercely protective of this snarky kid, wondered if maybe this was exactly what he needed.