Page 16 of Fragile Heart

“Hudson, do you know where you’re staying?” I’m hoping he can tell us so I don’t have to bring him back to my apartment. I repeat my question, and Hudson mumbles something resembling an address. It doesn’t sound like anything I’ve seen around here, so I use my phone to Google it and see if it’s nearby.

Unfortunately, a map of Los Angeles comes up. Hudson gave me his actual home address, not where he’s staying in Georgia.

“Hudson, do you know where you’re staying in Blue Mountain?” I ask, already knowing I won’t get a straight answer.

He doesn’t disappoint. “Hmmm” is all that comes out of his mouth. I shake my head, and Jake starts the short drive to my apartment. When he parks in front of my building, I try to pull Hudson out of his seat.

“Hudson, can you walk a little for me?” I ask when I finally have his arm around my shoulder.

“M’kay.” Miraculously, he moves his feet even as his head lolls back. Jake and I get him up the stairs while Holly unlocks my front door.

Once inside, Jake asks, “You want him on the couch?” I look over to my flower-covered thrift store couch and try to picture Hudson’s long body stretched out on it.

“No, give him the bed. I’ll take the couch.” I hate myself for even saying it, but I know I’d hate myself even more knowing he was uncomfortable. I’ll fit better on the couch than he will.

Jake looks over at me, both of us hunched over under Hudson’s weight. “You sure?”

“Yeah.”

We get Hudson into my room and sit him on the bed. He immediately falls back onto my pillows. I take off his shoes and lift his legs onto the bed. Not bothering with the comforter, I grab the blanket from the end of my bed and cover him up.

I shut off the lights and walk back to the living room, where my friends are waiting by the front door.

“You’ll text me in the morning to check in, right?” Holly asks.

“Yeah. Of course.”

“Sorry the night was kind of a bust,” she apologizes.

“What do you mean? Bringing a drunk movie star home with me is very exciting,” I laugh. Holly gives me a hug before passing me off to hug Jake. I thank them for their help even though they’re the ones who suggested bringing him here in the first place.

After they leave, I grab a glass of water and some ibuprofen and set it on my nightstand so Hudson will have it when he wakes up. I pull some pajamas out of my dresser and take them to my bathroom to change, wash my face, and brush my teeth.

Laying down on my couch, I pull a blanket over me and stare at the ceiling. Never in a million years did I think Hudson Porter would be in my apartment, much less sleeping in my bed.

I can only hope he doesn’t freak out on me in the morning.

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