Page 4 of Hold the Line
“Oh, good idea. Then it's like having both.” He gives Matty an appraising look. “What's your name?”
“Matthew Bridges. You?” Matty stands taller and gives the other boy the same look. They're sizing each other up and I try to hold back my chuckle. I'm pretty sure I'm witnessing the meeting of two lifelong friends right here. “Hudson Crowder. But I hate that last name, it's my dad’s.” The kid just shrugs. “You play any sports?”
“Me and my dad both play hockey. I might play soccer this year too. I haven't decided yet.”
Hudson just now seems to notice me but doesn't give me much of a glance as he says, “Himister.” Then he and Matty go back to chatting away about this school and some A-hole named Trevor. At least that's how Hudson puts it.
I lock up the house and drag my cans out. I don't want to break up their conversation just yet. Not to mention I got Matty out the door extra early to sit and have donuts with him. I think this is better for now though. I'm glad to see Matty making some allies before he even sets foot on the school grounds.
I lean against the back of the SUV I bought to be better on gas here in the city instead of my lifted truck. My little brother enjoyed inheriting that. I pull out a pack of cigarettes and light one up, ignoring the self-loathing that always settles in my chest alongside the smoke.
The kids are still by the front door but now they sit on the step together messing with Matty's game.
“Want to ride to school together?” Matty offers.
“Oh, don't you have to ask your dad?”
“Dad! Can Huddy ride to school with us?” Matty calls way louder than he needs to. I just offer a yup.
“Huddy?” Hudson asks, nudging him with his shoulder. I just grin.
“My friends back home call me Matty.” Matty looks a little sheepish, “So I thought I'd call you Huddy then we kinda match.”
“Cool.”
I snuff out the cigarette and try to covertly toss it in the trash without Matty seeing. It's a bad habit I've been trying to kick for a while now.
“Time to go, Matty.” I nod to the car as I make my way up the drive. I open the door for Matty, and he ducks into his seat, but before Hudson can follow, I hold up a hand.
“We gotta ask your parents first, kid.” I say in a kind but firm tone. He gives a little slump of his shoulders.
“Aw, man. Do we have to? She's kinda weird about strangers. She didn't let me stay over at Dylan’s house just because he had a big brother that she thought was too old to still live at home. What does that even have to do with me? And then Dylan didn't invite me ever again.”
“Sounds like a smart woman. I'm the exact same way. It's a good thing you have such a good mom to look out for you, huh?”
Hudson looks me up and down with narrowed eyes.
I knock on his door without breaking eye contact. Why is this little shit trying to intimidate me? It ain't gonna work, I'll tell you that for free.
The door swings open almost immediately as a five foot nothing blonde woman comes out digging in her purse and muttering to herself. “Where are those fucking keys? I swear...” She's got professional looking folders tucked under her arm and Hudson's backpack hanging off her wrist. Her red bottom heel clacks as she stamps her foot in frustration.
I track the movement and bite back my smile. Her silky golden hair is up in a clip. I can't help but let my eyes wander over the curve of her slender neck and down to the skirt that hugs her curvy waist and hips perfectly.
Hudson pops a bubble with eyes narrowed on me.
“Mom, Matty offered me a ride to school. Can I go?”
“Who's Matty?” She turns and her eyes widen. Her mouth pops open in a perfect o as she must crane her neck up to meet my eyes. My six-foot-three frame towers over her even in her heels. I note the mascara making her eyelashes longer, the soft dusting of freckles across her nose and the lipstick swept across her pillowy lips. My eyes linger for a beat. It’s then that I realize how close we are. Too close. “Hi there, ma'am.” She takes a step back to put some space between us, but stumbles when her heel catches the miniscule crack on the pavement. Instincts kickin and I steady her by the elbow. Her perfume fills my nose with something clean and soft. It makes me want to lean even closer.
Her eyes flick to mine for a moment, startled. Then her green eyes narrow and her full lips pull down on a frown as she pulls her arm back gently. “No, sorry. We are in a hurry.”
Hudson just groans. “Told you.”
I bite back a laugh, “Matty is my son. He's waiting in the car there.” I jerk my chin to where Matty has the window down and is waving Hudson to come and whisper-yells, “Come on already.”
Hudson just shrugs and gestures to his mom with both hands.
“I’m Tate Bridges.” I hold my hand out to her, and she takes it with hers. My warm calloused hand engulfs her smooth cold one. I note the shiver that runs through her.
