Once she was gone, Laura turned to Hudson. “Is LA still as cool as you told me when we talked last week?”
“Yeah.” The teen nodded.
“That’s good. Tell me more about your school.”
“Mom, it’s a school. But the people are okay.”
“So you’ve made new friends?”
“A few, mostly through the football team.”
“Now that you’re the new wide receiver, I’ll bet lots of girls are interested in you.” Laura grinned.
Seth and Beck shared a knowing glance. He prayed the kid didn’t say anything about his sexual exploits with Casen and Brielle.
“A few.” His smirk was cocky, but he didn’t stray into dangerous territory.
“Of course.” Laura grinned, then sobered. “What about your grades? You still working hard?”
“Yes, Mom.”
“He really is,” Beck seconded. “Especially since we all hound him about his homework every night.”
Hudson rolled his eyes, but nodded his mom’s way. “They really do.”
Heavenly smiled with affection. “We check in with him every day. Not just about his homework, but also how he’s doing. If there’s anything on his mind.”
Laura smiled back. “Thank you.”
“They care a lot, Mom,” Hudson confirmed. “Everything’s good, I swear. I have my own room. Plus they have an awesome pool in the backyard.”
Laura studied him as she dragged in a deep breath. “It sounds like you really like it there.”
“I do.”
“And…you want to stay in LA?”
“Yeah. Absolutely.” Hudson nodded solemnly. “I’m happy there. I have rules, structure, consequences… I don’t love that part, but…they all listen to me.”
Laura frowned. “I listened to you, honey. Always.”
“I know. I just mean...it’s different. I don’t know how to explain it. I just...I feel like I belong there.”
Laura pressed her hand to her mouth, tears pooling in her eyes. Clearly, she was struggling to let go, and Seth didn’t know how to soothe her. If the shoe were on the other foot, he’d be upset, too.
Ted grabbed his wife’s hand and squeezed. “This might be exactly what he needs, sweetheart.”
Laura wiped away the tear as she sent Hudson a smile full of forced cheer. “I just want you to be happy. That’s all I’ve ever wanted.”
“I promise, Hudson’s happiness and wellbeing are my top priorities. Actually, all of ours,” Seth assured.
“Exactly. And I am happy, Mom,” Hudson vowed. “Really, truly.”
Laura absorbed his words, her chest rising and falling as she tried to hold herself together. “Well…then I won’t stand in the way of you living with your father.”
“Thanks,” Hudson murmured. “I know this isn’t easy on you.”
“No,” she replied with a watery scoff. “It’s not. And if you ever change your mind?—”
