Of course Hudson would be athletic, like him. “Nice. Got a car?”
“No, but I want one.” Hudson shot Seth a hopeful look.
“We’ll see how you do with the rules first.” Seth grinned. “You got a sex life?”
“Hell, yeah. That’s not changing,” Hudson said matter-of-factly.
Christ, the kid really was just like him. “You use protection?”
“Always.” He frowned. “No offense. I don’t want to be a teenage father.”
“Smart. I didn’t plan on that, either. Any idea what you want to be when you grow up?”
Hudson was quiet for a moment, concentrating on an incoming wave of enemies. “I always wanted to be a cop.”
Seth nearly dropped his controller. The words brought back memories of his father in uniform, of his own years on the force before everything went to hell.
“Really?”
“Beck mentioned you used to be one. Like your dad.”
Seth’s throat felt tight. Grace would be shocked when she found out about Hudson, but learning he wanted to follow in the Cooper tradition of law enforcement? She’d be over the moon. And his father… God, his dad would be so proud that another generation wanted to carry on the legacy.
“If that’s what you want, I’ll help however I can,” Seth managed.
They finished the mission in companionable silence, then started comparing likes and dislikes while loading into the next mission. They both loved spicy foods, action and sci-fi movies, and sports—especially the Yankees. They both hated beets, Brussels sprouts, and standing in lines. Seth was shocked to discover how much they had in common.
“You know,” Hudson said during a brief lull in the action, “I came here planning to rip you a new asshole for running out on my mom. Wanted to find a whole bunch of reasons to hate you.”
“And now?”
Hudson glanced at him sideways. “You’re actually…decent, which is annoying because it would be easier if you were a dick.”
Seth felt relief settle in his chest. “Whether or not you came to LA looking for a dad, you’ve got one now. I mean that, Hudson. I want to be involved in your life.”
“Yeah?” For the first time, Hudson’s mask slipped completely, revealing the vulnerable kid underneath. “Even though I’m already sixteen and probably more trouble than I’m worth?”
“Especially because of that.” Seth bumped Hudson’s shoulder with his own. “Coopers stick together.”
It was too early, but Seth was already itching to make Hudson a Cooper legally. He’d have to see how things went, but the way everything stood now? He’d be talking to his son and Laura about that soon.
As they settled into the next mission, Seth’s thoughts raced. In the span of a few hours, he’d gone from fearing hypothetical fatherhood to actually being a dad to a half-grown teenager. Part of him was terrified. But another part of him, the part that was already growing fiercely protective of this snarky kid, wondered if maybe this was exactly what he needed.
He just had to figure out how to be the father Hudson deserved without derailing his future with Beck and Heavenly in the process.
While Beck set the table, Heavenly called down the stairs, “Dinner’s ready!”
Heavy footsteps bounded up from the game room, and Seth appeared, slightly out of breath. “Sorry, we lost track of time.”
“No apology necessary.” Heavenly kissed his cheek, breathing in his familiar scent as she whispered, “How did it go?”
“Better than I expected.” Seth’s smile looked both genuine and a bit surprised. “I’ll fill you and Beck in later.”
Hudson’s slower footsteps announced his arrival.
“Wash your hands,” Seth called over his shoulder to his son, head-bobbing toward the sink.
Grumbling, Hudson did, and Heavenly caught herself smiling at how naturally Seth had slipped into dad mode.
