Page 141 of That Moment
Hudson studies him for a long moment. “You’ve got a good head on your shoulders. You’re right, your old man would be proud.”
Scotty swallows hard, his throat bobbing. “Thank you, sir. That means more than you know. I guess what I’m trying to say is, I realize why I made the choices I made and why I chose poorly. I’m doing the work, Sir. I’m becoming a better person because that’s what Adrienne deserves, that’s what I deserve.”
The silence that comes after is deafening. So quiet in fact, I’m confident they can hear me swallow down the anxious lump that’s formed in my throat. But finally, my dad reaches his hand out toward Scotty. Scotty stares blankly for a second before returning the gesture.
“I appreciate you sharing that with me. I know as a man, it’s not always easy to share things.” Scotty nods, shaking his handand then releasing it. “And for the record,” he adds, taking a sip, “you handled yourself well tonight. Could’ve gone worse.”
Scotty’s mouth twitches. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“Good. You should.” Hudson lifts his glass slightly. “Welcome to the family, son.”
For a second, Scotty doesn’t move, like the words take a moment to land. I almost scream myself, reaching up to clamp my hand over my mouth as I gasp in excitement.“Appreciate that, sir. I won’t let you down.”
Dad grunts, half a smile tugging at his mouth. “Don’t call me ‘sir’ all the time, either. Makes me feel old.”
“Yes—uh, right. Hudson. Mr. Slade.”
“Hudson’s fine.”
“Hudson,” Scotty repeats with a slight nod.
“That’s better.”
I duck back into the kitchen, pretending to do anything but float around. When they reappear a few minutes later, Scotty’s holding an empty glass, and my dad’s expression has softened almost completely now, probably partly to do with the two glasses of liquor he’s had tonight.
We linger a little longer over dessert, thankfully, Axel takes over the conversation, and it turns from us to how things are going at the brewery. When the plates are empty, I catch Dad sneaking another look at us through the kitchen doorway. He doesn’t say a word, just gives the smallest nod before turning away.
Scotty’s hand finds mine, rubbing small circles against my skin. “Ready?”
“Yeah.”
We say goodnight to my family, my dad taking another opportunity to shake Scotty’s hand a little harder than necessary. I know he still feels the need to show him how protective he is over me, so I just let it go.
As we walk toward his truck, he turns to me. “You okay?”
I smile. “I should be asking you that. How’d it go in there? With my dad?”
He slips his hands into his pockets, a boyish grin tugging at his mouth. “Honestly? Pretty damn good. I think I passed initiation.”
“Yeah?” I ask, teasing.
He nods, stepping closer. “Yeah. He poured me bourbon and everything. Think I even got a half-smile out of him.”
My heart feels like it’s going to burst. “Good. See, I told you we would work it out.”
As he pulls the truck out front of my house, Scotty tilts his head, a naughty grin on his face. “You know, since I won your dad over, I guess that means there’s no getting rid of me now.”
“Good.” I loop my arms around his neck, and he drags me out of the truck, carrying me up the steps to my porch. “Because you’re never getting away.”
His lips brush mine in a featherlight kiss before he deepens it, one hand sliding down to my waist. By the time he puts me on my feet, I’m breathless and grinning, my back pressed to the door. He breaks the kiss just long enough to murmur against my lips, “keys, baby.”
I fumble with them for a second before he takes them, unlocking the door and showing it open. My heart’s racing as he follows me inside, his hands already sliding up my ribs. The door clicks shut behind us with a low thud as he kicks it closed.
His mouth finds my ear, his voice a gravelly whisper that sends heat all the way to my toes. “You better get used to this, sweetheart…” He lifts me easily again, my legs wrapping around his waist. “Because I’m not going anywhere.”
Chapter 28
Scotty
