Page 45 of Crash and Burn

“Oh, you mean, because my psycho ex-boyfriend decided to show up at my place of employment without so much as a phone call first and pretended like we still have something to talk about? Yeah, fine. Doing great.”

“Amelia…”

“Oh, you weren’t referring to that. Ok, maybe it’s that the exact same day I dry humped someone I care deeply for on my couch, further complicating things? Is it that?”

“Amelia…”

She cut me off again. “It could also be that I’m wondering if Kevin is running around town somewhere looking for me. I really have no idea, so I’ve spent a week thinking about that and wondering if I’m going to run into him every time I turn a corner. Is it that?”

That was it. I could tell she was reeling, so I pulled the car over to the side of the road. We needed to work it out so we could put it behind us, at least for the moment.

“What now, Hudson? What?”

“Amelia…listen. I asked if you were okay, and I know you’re struggling. I just meant, for the night. We’re dealing with things, but I want this night with you. Let’s take it one step at a time and one day at a time. You dry humping me?…I just mauled your face as soon as I stepped into your apartment, so I’m pretty sure we’re on an even playing field there. Again, I’m sorry I disappeared on you. I know it fucked with your head, but I’m here now and I’m not going anywhere.”

I paused to gauge her reaction. She sat staring at me and her eyes looked like they were going to tear up, so I spoke on the other two things. “As for Kevin, I’m sorry he showed up out of nowhere but I’m glad I was there.”

She turned her head, this time looking out the front window. I took my seatbelt off and turned toward her.

“Amelia, look at me.” She turned to me, so I took that moment to reach up with my left hand and gently placed it on the side of her neck, letting my thumb graze her cheek. She closed her eyes, her breathing getting heavier. “Look at me.” Her eyes opened, fighting back the tears. “I’m not going to let anything happen to you. I don’t want you to be scared at every turn.”

“Hudson, that’s nice but you can’t be everywhere, all the time, and you and I just…I don’t know what we are but I’m not your responsibility.” Her gaze lowered again.

“Amelia, I will ruin him. I’ll destroy him. Look.at.me.” Her eyes darted to mine again. “I will move the sun and stars if it means keeping you safe…no matter what we are.”

She stared into my eyes and nodded, so I reached in and kissed her hard. “I got you, Amelia. Now, let’s go.” I turned back around. “Let’s get to dinner.” Fastening my seatbelt, I took off, then reached over and took her hand in mine, bringing it to my chest. We just kind of fell into an ease for the rest of drive.

*

We walked into Lex and Carter’s house without knocking because their front door is always open, despite my safety protests. The girls, Cammy and Lilly ran straight to me.

“Uncle Huuud!,” they yelled in joyous unison. I laughed, crouching down to grab them into a hug.

“My girls. You being good?” I look from Cammy to Lilly with a jokingly stern face.

“Of course, we are, Uncle Hud,” Lilly said so innocently. Cammy is the sneaky one. I caught them timidly looking up at Amelia, then back at me.

“You girls remember my friend, Amelia? She came to the cookout.”

They nodded and Cammy said, “Oooh yeahaa!” I was surprised when they walked over to her and gave her a hug. Amelia looked surprised too.

“Hi girls! It’s good to see you again!” Amelia flashed them that big, bright smile.

The girls took off running and laughing. I shook my head, and noticed Amelia, still smiling.

“You ready?” I asked her. Bringing her to Thanksgiving Dinner was kind of a big deal, so I wondered ifIwas ready, too. It was our first Holiday together, after all.

She shrugged and said, “Let’s do it!”

In a surprise move for us both, I grabbed her hand and led her into the dining room where I could see everyone gathered. When we walked in, everyone got quiet. It must’ve been quite a moment for them to see me at a Holiday dinner without Dev for the first time. Cole and Darla were sitting at the table when Darla, noticed us and yelled, “Amelia!! You’re here! Oh, hey, Hud.”

“Gee, thanks. Good to see you too, Dar.” We laughed at me now being an afterthought, then walked around to give Cole and Darla a hug. I wasn’t sure if we would see Vinny and Bianca there together but if nothing else, they were consistent. Bianca was in the kitchen with Lex, and Vinny was talking to Carter. The silence fell away and the kids were yelling again.

I walked over to Carter and pulled him in for hug. When he got close, he leaned in and whispered, “You two holding hands now, huh?…nice, Hud.”

“Shut up.” I squinted at him, triggering a hearty Carter laugh.

Vinny slapped me on the shoulder and came in for a hug, patting me on the back. I wanted to talk to him to see if he was okay, but the room was crowded, so I asked, “How you been?” No one else knew what I meant, even if they were listening, but he did. He just nodded his head, lifted his beer toward me and took a drink. I took that to mean that they were there, but not. I felt bad for him.

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