What Love Looks Like

“Hudson.” She opens her arms and gives him an overzealous hug. “So nice to see you again. Glad you and your kids could make it.”

“Thanks,” he says, hugging her back like they’re family. “Thought I would surprise Sawyer.” He glances at me and winks. “I think it worked.”

Lisa cracks up laughing. “The only thing my sister hates more than football is being surprised.”

This time, it’s Hudson’s turn to laugh.

“Did you have a good rest of your vacation?” Lisa asks, sitting back down and pulling out a chair at the table she’s sitting at for Hudson.

“I did. Not as much fun once Sawyer and Abby left, but it was nice. Relaxing.”

“Left from where?” my mom asks, walking over and joining in on the conversation. “And who might you be? Wait, don’t tell me. You must be the father of those adorable kids who ran through here with my granddaughter.”

“That would be me.” He takes her hand and kisses the top of it. “It’s nice to meet you, ma’am. Hudson Matthews.”

“Oh, please. Call me Lori.”

“The man declared his love for our daughter in the driveway, Lor,” Dad announces. “At this rate, he’ll be calling you Mom soon.”

I close my eyes and beg for the ground to swallow me up while my mom gasps in shock. “Oh my. Sawyer never…”

“Mentioned anything,” Hudson finishes. “I can see that. She’s a little in denial right now, but I’m working on getting her caught up to speed.”

Lisa snorts out a laugh, and my mom giggles. Freaking giggles. Of course he’s here not even two minutes, and he’s already gained my father’s respect and has my mom and sister eating out of his hand.

“Mommy, can we go in the bounce house?” Abby asks, running over excitedly. “Uncle Scott said he’ll watch us.”

“Sure, just be careful.”

“I will!”

She runs back to where the bounce house is set up and jumps in, with Presley and Lucas following.

Luckily, the guests start to arrive before my family can pry us with any more questions.

We spend the morning watching the kids play in the bounce house, then switch to the slip-and-slide. Hudson shocks me when he throws on some board shorts and joins them, flying down the water trap and sailing into the pool at the end. The kids all gang up on him, jumping into the pool and splashing him.

“He’s quite the catch,” Mom whispers into my ear. “Good career, doting father, doesn’t have a fear of commitment…”

“A thousand miles away, an NFL player who travels half the year…”

“Sawyer, get over here and save me!” Hudson yells in a playful tone.

When I shake my head, he nods slowly, a glint in his eye, telling me if I don’t do as he says, he’ll ensure I do. Not wanting him to carry me over his shoulder in front of half the parents in this town—including my own—I peel off my tank top, leaving me in only my bikini top and cutoffs, and walk over to where Hudson is.

“Happy?” I ask, popping my hip out.

“Not yet…” He lifts up and grabs me by my hips, pulling me down with him into the mini pool. The water splashes around us, and the kids laugh as I’m soaked from head to toe. Once I’m sideways in his lap, he pushes the wet strands of my hair from out of my eyes, a boyish grin lighting up his face. “There,” he says. “Now, I’m happy.”

“I’m so going to get you back for this,” I whisper. Our eyes lock, and for a second, I forget we’re surrounded by dozens of people and kids. My tongue darts out, wetting my lips, and Hudson’s gaze falls to my mouth. We both lean in at the same time for a kiss when my daughter’s voice rings out, shaking us out of our trance. I climb out of his lap and stand, glancing around for my daughter while avoiding looking at anyone else in fear they were just watching us. People in small towns talk, and by the way they’ve been eyeing Hudson, I imagine they know exactly who he is. The last thing I need is to give them something to gossip about.

“Mommy, come jump with me!” Abby yells.

“Dad! Come jump too,” Lucas adds.

“Hey, man, you’re Hudson Matthews… the QB for the Bluebirds, right?” Tim, the father of one of Abby’s friends, and the husband of Deann, a friend of mine from high school, asks while we’re all eating lunch. My mom and I made platters of sandwiches and side dishes to keep it simple so my dad wouldn’t have to spend the day at the grill.

Hudson’s sitting next to me, eating one-handed with his other hand on my thigh, massaging circles into my flesh. The second Tim speaks to him, his hand comes to a halt, squeezing me gently. His back stiffens, and a fake smile tips at the corners of his lips. “I am,” he says, not giving him anything else. I kind of expected more people to know about him since our photos of us from my trip to New York are all over the internet, but most people who live here don’t care about what’s being posted on gossip sites. They’re too busy trying to make a living. But that doesn’t stop the men from watching football…