Page 43 of Crash and Burn

I felt like I could fucking cry. I felt hot and out of breath like I was going to break down and Vinny could tell.

Calmly, he said, “Breathe, bro. You movin’ on doesn’t mean Dev didn’t exist and what you had didn’t exist. It did and it was epic. But how fuckin’ lucky are ya that you could potentially have something that great twice in this life. There are people that don’t even find it once. I am not sayin’ you love Amelia, but what Iamsayin’ is Amelia makes you happyright nowandmaybe…just maybeshe’s what’s ahead.Thatis what Devina would want. She would want someone to love you the way she did or even better.”

“I freaked out and left, man. I haven’t talked to her in a week. She’s been messaging me, and I haven’t even responded to any of her texts. I feel like such a dick.”

“You’re not a dick… Nah, I take it back. You’re a little bit of a dick.”

That made me laugh. “Fuck you, Vinny.”

“Hey, I tell it like I sees it. I think you need to do some soul searching. It’s time, Hudson. Figure out what comes next for you. The past two to three months that you’ve known Amelia has been a total turnaround for you. You’re a different person, now. You’re a happier person. That has to mean somethin’. Don’t shut it out.”

“I know you’re right. I don’t know what to do here, but I’ll try and figure it out.”

“You deserve to be happy. You got this bro.”

“Thanks, Vinny. I appreciate you man. I’ll talk to you later.”

“Alright, be good. Later.”

I was pacing around my house trying to figure out what to do next. Vinny was right. Even though I had just met Amelia in September, I felt like I’d known her forever, and that had a chance to be great. I thought,what if she’s pissed that I ghosted her? What if she doesn’t want anything to do with me?I figured,there’s only one way to find out.I sent her a text:

I’m sorry I disappeared. You deserve better than that. I don’t regret the kiss. Please don’t leave me alone. I just don’t know how to do this, but I’m trying. I’m sorry.

Chapter 15

Amelia

The next day was Thanksgiving, and I didn’t know what I was going to do. I had so much to be thankful for, but the one thing I was most thankful for disappeared on me. I was sitting in my living room with a warm cup of coffee and getting ready to read one of the books that Hudson bought for me when my phone went off with a text.

Hudson: I’m sorry I disappeared. You deserve better. I don’t regret the kiss. Please don’t leave me alone. I just don’t know how to do this, but I’m trying. I’m sorry.

I gripped the phone, hard, and set my coffee down on the side table to text him back.

There he is. We don’t have to do anything.

Let’s try something simple. Dinner?

I tapped my fingers on my knee, waiting for his response. Then:

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. Come with me to Lex and Carter’s. Don’t say no. Please. I’m sorry.

I couldn’t believe he wanted to me to come for Thanksgiving after what had happened at the bonfire. I was freaking out internally.Breathe, Amelia.

I would love to come, if you’re sure.

Is Lex ok with it? ?

I thought I had better prepare for Lex if she didn’t know I was coming.His response was quick.

It doesn’t matter if she’s ok with it. I want you there. I’ll pick you up at 11:30 am.

See you tomorrow. Goodnight, Hudson.

Goodnight, Amelia.

*

I woke up with all sorts of anxiety. It was Thanksgiving, and I was going to Thanksgiving dinnerwith Hudson. It felt weird to go somewhere with him when we hadn’t even talked about what happened. I decided to let things work out naturally. It freaked him out. I get that. It freaked me out, too, but it also felt amazing. He said in his text that he didn’t regret the kiss and I thought,That’s a good thing, right? I know it’s a lot to process. He basically hasn’t lived his life since his wife died.

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