Page 72 of Fragile Heart

CHAPTER27

Hudson

ONE YEAR LATER

The worst partof being an actor might possibly be all the press you have to do for the release of each new movie. I’m on day twelve of press interviews for the movie we filmed in Blue Mountain. It releases next week, and I’m excited about the final product. They let us watch an early screening, and it’s better than I could have imagined.

But I’m exhausted.

Answering the same questions, again and again, makes me want to bang my head against the wall.

Shortly after I left Blue Mountain broken-hearted, I started filming the Omega Comics movie I was cast in. Since then, it’s been nonstop work for almost nine straight months, which has helped keep my mind off the fact that I haven’t seen or heard from Quinn since the night I left her apartment.

I left like she wanted. I still text her periodically and sometimes even try to call her. She never picks up. I know she reads my texts, but she never responds. I’m ok with that. I just want her to know that I’m always thinking about her.

“So, Hudson. Did you do your own stunts for the movie?” The interviewer in front of me asks the same question everyone else has asked me for the last twelve days. It’s boring. But I answer her with a smile because I’m literally being paid to.

“I did as many as I could, but there were some I wasn’t trained enough to do. Mainly the motorcycle scenes.” She nods and looks down at her paper. I look at the camera that’s been filming me for the past five minutes. This interview has to be wrapping up soon. It’s my last one, and then I’m free.

She asks me a few more questions about my workout routine and what it was like filming with Vaughn and Bella. Then she gets to the good part. The question I’ve been waiting for. This television show has interviewed me multiple times, so I know they always ask the same personal questions that used to make me uncomfortable. But I’m ready for them this year.

“Hudson, you’re one of the hottest celebrities in LA right now. Some might say even Sexiest Man Alive material.” The restraint it takes not to roll my eyes is killing me. “The people want to know. . . is there anyone special in your life right now?”

“Well, she’s not currently in my life because I fucked up.” Her eyebrows fly up in surprise. I’m sure she expected my typical response of “no comment.” “But my heart is with her, and it always will be.”

“Oh.”

“I won’t say her name to respect her privacy, but she knows who she is. She has a big weekend coming up, and I’m so damn proud of her. She’s living her dream right now.”

The interviewer sits in stunned silence before saying, “Well, that’s great for her, whoever she is. I hope she comes around. I mean, you’re Hudson Porter.” I want to laugh at how unprofessional this lady is being, but she’s setting me up perfectly for my public apology to Quinn.

“She has very valid reasons to never talk to me again. I messed up big time. But I’ve been working on myself, and one day I hope to be everything that she deserves.”

The nosy interviewer has nothing to say, so I just sit here and smile.

She finally blinks and closes her jaw. “Ok, well, thank you for your time today, Hudson. We can’t wait for the movie to come out.”

I tip my chin. “Thank you.”

After the camera cuts, I rip my mic off and walk out of the room, not waiting to see if she has anything else to say. I have to get to the movie premiere tonight and then catch the red-eye to Atlanta.

Tomorrow is the grand opening of Quinn’s bakery, Hey, Sugar, right on Main Street. I’ve been following under a fake account to see all her progress on social media. She started with online orders while she got her storefront ready, and I’ve watched the videos of her doing early morning baking, painting the bakery walls, and furniture shopping for tables and chairs. I laughed out loud when I saw the ugly floral couch she’s put in there, but I wouldn’t expect anything less from her.

I know she probably doesn’t want to see me, but I have to go. I can’t miss it. I’ll stay hidden across the street the entire time if I have to. I just have to see it happen. Her dream is finally coming true, and she did it all her damn self.

* * *

I finally get to Blue Mountain and am a few minutes early for the bakery opening, per the social media post from yesterday. I make sure I’m in a spot where I can see the building, but Quinn can’t see me. This day is about her, and I don’t want my presence to ruin it.

There’s already a line outside the door to get in. I can picture the nervous smile on her face. Through the window, I can just make out Quinn and Holly doing some finishing touches before Quinn unlocks the door.

She welcomes everyone in, and my heart could burst with how happy I am for her. I knew everyone would be excited about this place, and the line of people proves it.

I sit on the bench across the street and watch everything for a few hours. Holly livestreams bits and pieces throughout the morning, so I tune into those on my phone. But then the crowd dies down, and I’m itching to get a glimpse of my girl. Even though I guess she isn’t really my girl at the moment.

Around lunch, Holly walks outside. She looks around to make sure no one is watching before making her way toward me. She was the only one I told I was coming.

“Hey, Hollywood,” she greets me again with that stupid nickname and sits down next to me.

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