“Cozy,” Hudson said finally, his tone carefully neutral.
“We like it here.” Beck intentionally didn’t comment on the photos. “You’ll have plenty of privacy in the guest room downstairs.”
The kid continued scanning the place. Though he tried to bank his expression it was a bit too wide-eyed to be anything but impressed. Beck wondered what Hudson’s situation was. What would prompt a sixteen-year-old across the country to meet a dad he’d already decided he hated?
They descended the stairs, Heavenly chattering nervously about the house’s features while Hudson remained largely silent. Beck saw her anxiety building. She was trying so hard to make the boy feel welcome, probably because she was terrified he’d bolt before Seth got home. But Beck knew the kid would stick around. In fact, he’d bet every last dime that Hudson didn’t have much he considered meaningful to go back to.
“Here we are.” Heavenly pushed open the guest room door. “Fresh towels are in the bathroom, and there’s a mini-fridge if you want drinks or snacks.”
Hudson dropped his backpack and duffel on the hardwoods before swiping his fingers across the pristine white duvet covering the queen-size bed. Slowly nodding in approval, he scanned the spacious room, flat-screen TV, cozy sitting area, and floor-to-ceiling windows. “This’ll work.”
“Are you hungry?” Heavenly seemed reluctant to leave him alone.
Beck smiled. Her trying to mother a kid seven years her junior was cute. What wasn’t cute? The way Hudson kept checking her out.
He shrugged. “I could eat, I guess.”
“Pizza or Chinese?” Beck asked. Hudson’s sudden appearance had given Heavenly enough to deal with. She didn’t need to cook, too.
The kid sneered. “Doesn’t matter. We do it better back east.”
Heavenly smiled. “Your dad says the same thing. And I’ll let you in on a secret. When he first moved out here, he was afraid of earthquakes.”
Hudson frowned. “Bullshit.”
“She’s serious.” Beck nodded. “He still is. We rib him all the time.”
That made the teenager smile, like he was happy to have some dirt on the dad he’d never met.
“I’m in the mood for Chinese, if that’s okay with you,” Heavenly said.
“Even if it will suck? Sure.”
She dropped a soft hand to his shoulder. “Why don’t you get settled? We’ll be upstairs in the kitchen. Just come find us when you’re ready.”
Heavenly shut the door behind them. Together, they ascended the stairs and made their way to the family room. Heavenly poured them each a glass of iced tea. While Beck lowered himself into the chair by the window and ordered Chinese from one of their favorite places, she eased onto the sofa. After he tucked his phone in his pocket, they looked at one another. For long moments, neither spoke, as if they had a ton to say, but didn’t know where to start.
Beck broke the ice. “Crazy shit, huh? Finding out Seth has a long-lost son wasn’t on my bingo card.”
“Mine, either.”
“He’s going to be so fucking shocked.”
She hesitated. “I’m terrified what this news will do to him.”
Beck understood her fear. Hell, he shared it. Seth had endured so much, and he’d just committed to starting a family with them. Finding out he already had a sixteen-year-old son was going to rock him to his core.
His expression softened, and he took her hand, folding it in his. “I know, little girl. But we’ll figure it out together. All of us.”
“I hope so.” She sighed. “I don’t think we should tell Hudson about our relationship.”
“We can’t. Seth will be home in less than twenty-four hours. Then he can decide. Hudson isn’t stupid; he already suspects. But until our other half weighs in, we just need to zip it.”
“I don’t like lying, but you’re right.”
“Which really sucks. I wanted to make you scream tonight.” He wagged his brows at her with a levity he didn’t feel, but he wanted to lighten her mood. “All night.”
She rolled her eyes at him. “Behave. Hudson already thinks the worst of Seth.”
