“Why start now?” Beck winked.
“So how did you end up with both of them?”
Seth’s expression grew serious. “Neither Beck nor I knew this, but Heavenly was half starving, and she was about to be homeless. Her landlord was demanding sexual favors instead of rent. We intervened.”
Hudson scowled. “You beat the shit out of him?”
Heavenly flattened a smile. The kid really had no idea just how much like his father he was, even down to the protective streak.
“Let’s just say I broke my Hippocratic oath that day, and now the son of a bitch eats through a straw,” Beck drawled. “In prison.”
“Good.” Hudson clearly approved. “He sounds like a dirt bag.”
“He was awful. Every time I talked to him, I got the heebies. But that place was all I could afford.”
“She didn’t tell either of us how bad her problems were, but when we finally realized, we stopped fighting each other and started taking care of her—together.”
“And here we are.” Heavenly reached for both men’s hands. “It all worked out for the best.”
They finished dinner with more good-natured banter and jokes. Heavenly had to admit that having Hudson here was far less awkward than she’d thought it would be. Certainly, more natural than it had felt even thirty minutes ago. He fit right in, and honestly, she didn’t hate the idea of having another person to nurture, especially one who needed it so much.
Once they’d finished eating, they all rose. Seth looked at Hudson. “Help us clear the table and load the dishwasher.”
“All right.” Hudson didn’t sound thrilled, but he didn’t argue.
As far as Heavenly was concerned, that was progress.
They worked together, and she watched the easy way Seth and Hudson moved around each other. Their bond was tentative but growing almost before her eyes.
When the kitchen was clean, Seth sidled up to his son and bumped his shoulder. “Want to watch a movie?”
“Nah. I’m going to go to my room and chill, if that’s cool. I’ve talked more today than I have in the last month.”
“No sweat,” Seth told him. “Set your alarm for six-thirty.”
Hudson frowned. “In the morning? What the fuck for?”
“Starting tomorrow, we’re working out together. Meet me in the home gym.”
The kid froze. “You’re serious?”
“As a heart attack.”
His eyes narrowed. “Are you some kind of sadist?”
“No, that’s my role,” Beck bantered with a sarcastic wave.
Hudson didn’t answer right away. “I’m not even going to ask.”
“Better if you don’t,” Heavenly whispered.
“He’s not kidding.” Seth crossed his arms over his chest.
“Okay, then.” The kid stepped back, hands raised in jest. “I’ll just try not to think about the fact that I’m living with someone who gets off causing pain.”
“He’s harmless,” Heavenly assured, but when Beck raised a challenging brow, she added, “Well, mostly.”
“Nifty. You all have a good night. I’ll…see you in the morning.”
