Page 20 of Love in Unexpected Places

Reaching blindly to my nightstand, I pull my phone to me and slap it against my ear, eyes still closed. “Hello?” I croak.

“Wiz! Tell me everything! Did you love him? Have a great time? Oh no, did you leave early? I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you we weren’t going to be there. I knew you wouldn’t show if I told you it was only you and Hud. Are you mad? Please don’t be mad. I don’t mean to meddle, I promise.”

Rachel says all that on what seems to be one breath and I chuckle roughly. Still with my eyes closed, I turn over to my back and stretch. “I’m not mad, Rach, though I wish you would have just been honest.”

“I know. I’m sorry.”

She does sound sorry, so I let her off the hook. “It’s fine. To answer your question,” I say, finally opening my eyes and throwing my legs over the side of the bed. This conversation won’t be short, so I may as well get up and get some coffee. So glad it’s the weekend. “Hudson and I had a great time. He brought me flowers, Rach. He’s … fucking perfect, honestly.”

Rachel squeals and we stay on the phone for the next hour or so, talking about the date and what I want from him going forward. She gloats for a bit, telling me the other men she hooked me up with were a warm-up and she knew eventually she would find Mr. Right.

My morning is spent sitting around the house, rewatching The Matrix and listening to a few more songs Hudson told me about last night when he called. I do like old school music, but never listened to eighties soft rock. I find that I like the peaceful melodies while also enjoying the soulful voices of the singers. I name the playlist “Hud’s Favorite Hits.” Depending on what happens with our relationship, I might change it.

Just as the last song is ending, my phone rings. I’m lying on my couch, eyes closed, just feeling the vibes of the music and the ringing almost makes me jump out of my skin. I quickly grab it and see Hudson’s name flashing on my screen. Smiling, I answer, glad he called and hoping it’s to plan another date.

chapter six

HUDSON

Every morning for the past month, I wake up and send Callum a good morning text. It’s been so long since I’ve done that with someone and I’m giddy when I receive his reply. We’ve talked on the phone every night since that first night, even when we see each other during the day. We’ve probably gone out at least twice a week since we met, and every time is as good as the first.

Callum is refreshing. Just as I thought when I met him, he’s always happy, not taking life too seriously. It’s so easy to open up to him, it’s almost scary. Every night we hang out, we end up on the couch, making out like horny teens, but we don’t take it further. I want to take things slow with Cal. Really get to know him. We’re having an amazing time doing that, so sex isn’t necessary.

The Monday after our first date, Rachel came by my office, gave me a long hug, and thanked me for being so good to her best friend. She also warned me that if I mistreat him, she’ll find a way to make me pay. I don’t take her threat lightly, but I also have no intention ofmistreating Cal. I want this with him, badly. I’ll do whatever I can to keep him.

Every Saturday morning, Callum and I agree to do brunch so he can show me around and take me to some of the hot spots that are popular with the queer community. We’ve been dancing and to a few mixers and met some really great people. Today, there’s a short play being held on the patio of one of the restaurants we’ve been to a few times. We plan to get food and watch it—anything to spend more time together.

As I’m heading out to pick up Callum, my phone rings. I smile, thinking it’s him, but it’s not. My smile morphs into confusion as I see John, a mutual friend of mine and Henry—my ex—calling.

“Yeah?” I answer, wondering why he’s calling. We’ve talked on and off since I moved away, but he was always more Henry’s friend than mine.

“Hey, Hudson! You got a minute?”

“Just a few. I’m heading out to brunch.” I don’t tell him with whom. No one I left behind needs to know what I’m doing while I’m here. Even though not telling him about Callum is eating at me.

“I’ll be quick. I know it’s last minute and you probably won’t want to, and I understand if you don’t.”

“I’m listening,” I say, sliding behind the wheel of my car and starting it up. The Bluetooth connects and I toss my phone in a cup holder.

“Derek and I are getting married.”

“Congratulations! That’s excellent news!” John and Derek have been together for over a decade—high school sweethearts—so it’s just a formality that they tie the knot.

“Thanks man,” John says, a smile in his voice. “We’re going to make a weekend of it, playing games, having a night around the campfire and then the wedding on thatSunday. I don’t have your address to send you an invitation, but I have your number. Would you like to come?”

I’m not too sure. While John is Henry’s friend, his fiancé, Derek is Henry’s best friend. They grew up together. So, it’s safe to assume he’ll be there. Maybe even the?—

“Henry is the best man. And his plus one is … the one he cheated on you with,” John says, confirming what I was already thinking and dreading. He sighs. “Look, I’m asking because I consider you a friend. Even though we haven’t spoken much since you left, I want you to be there on our special day. If it’ll be an issue for you, I totally understand. I’m not trying to start shit. I just want our friends to be there while I tell the love of my life I’ll be his forever.”

That’s what I want with Callum. It’s only been a month, but I know what I want. And it’s him. Henry and I were together for years and I had strong feelings for him, but not this fast or intense. Our love built over the years we were together, but with Callum, I’m having to fight from professing how strongly I feel for him.

Do I want to go back to the West Coast and face my old friends? Do I want to see Henry again, after he hurt me so badly? I’m over him and mostly mended, but I think I should close that chapter of my life so I can give everything I am and all that I have to Callum. He deserves all of me.

“Umm … okay, yeah. When and where?”

“Yeah? Great! Like I said, it’s last minute, so it’ll be in two weeks at the Lake Shore lodge. We rented out ten villas since the ceremony will be so small. Do you want to bunk with someone or have your own villa?”

“My own. Orourown,” I say, not really thinking and hoping this doesn’t blow up in my face. “I’ll ask my boyfriend to join me, if that’s alright with you.”

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