Page 66 of Preacher

“Hi.” Her eyes skirted over me as she shook my hand and said, “I wish I could say the same about you.”

There was a moment, just the briefest of moments, where her gaze darted toward Hudson, then back to me. Something tightened in her jaw, but she smoothed it out so fast I almost missed it.

Almost.

“Well, you aren’t missing out on much.”

“I highly doubt that.”

No one had to tell her. She knew exactly who I was, and it was hard to tell what she thought about it all. Memphis cleared his throat and muttered something about getting another round, and just like that, the tension doubled. Antonia grimaced, then asked, “Would you like to sit and have a drink with us?”

“Maybe later.” I glanced over at Hudson. “I need to go over and say hello first.”

“Of course.”

When I took a step forward, Kay said, “I hope we get a chance to chat later.”

“Of course.” I forced a smile. “I’ll be back over in a bit.”

I gave them a quick nod, and my heart went into overdrive as I continued towards Hudson. Once I made it over to him, his expression immediately softened. “Hey there, beautiful.”

“Hey, yourself.” I sat down next to him and leaned in close. “So, how’s it going?”

“Better now.” He shook his head. “Hell, up until about two seconds ago, I had as soon to have been kicked in the nuts than to be sitting here.”

“Oh, that good, huh?”

“I didn’t know she would be here tonight.” He glanced over to the table where Kay was sitting with Memphis and Antonia. “No one did.”

“And I take it you aren’t exactly thrilled about it.”

“I could care less if she comes or goes. She’s Memphis’s mother, and she has every right to want to see him.” He cocked his brow. “You, on the other hand, might not agree. I’m more concerned about that.”

“Why would you be concerned about me?”

“I wasn’t sure how you’d feel about her being here.”

“Are you still in love with her?”

“She’s my son’s mother. I will always care about her, but no. I’m not in love with her.”

It wasn’t the answer I was hoping for, but it was close. I gave him a slight shrug, then said, “Then, we’re good.”

“I mean it, Tabitha. My time with Kay has come and gone. You don’t have anything to worry about with her or any other woman.”

“What exactly are you saying?”

“Got no interest in anyone else.” He reached over and took my hand in his. “I’m in this. You and me got something, and I plan to see where it goes. You good with that?”

“I’m definitely good with that.”

He nodded and got the bartender to bring us over a couple of drinks. Over the next hour or so, the brothers and their women kept their distance, giving Hudson and me a wide berth. I got it. Kay wasn’t just Hudson’s ex.

She was Memphis’ mother, and they had history with her, liked her, and knew that she meant a great deal to both Memphis and Hudson. Not only that, when her husband ran into trouble, she moved in with them, and they’d all put their lives on the line to protect her.

And now, I’m in the picture, and none of them knew how he would handle having her and me both there at the same time. It made sense that they would be concerned about saying or doing the wrong thing, so they steered clear.

Except for Goose.

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