Total pages in book: 28
Estimated words: 26006 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 130(@200wpm)___ 104(@250wpm)___ 87(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 26006 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 130(@200wpm)___ 104(@250wpm)___ 87(@300wpm)
“How’d you get it up here?”
“I paid extra for rush delivery, and two guys from the pet store brought it and set it up. It was all separate—the box, the bags of soil, the squares of grass.”
I grinned and drew him into my arms. “You’re an angel, you know that?”
“I just really want you to be happy here, and I wanted to make it clear Sadie was welcome.”
I kissed him and said, “Thank you. This was incredibly thoughtful. It’s also so much more than I had for her at my apartment. The studio didn’t even have an outdoor space, so I’d just walk her a few times a day.”
“Right. I just thought there might be times you didn’t want to go out, like if it was raining…”
He seemed vulnerable somehow, and I caressed his cheek and asked, “Is everything alright, Hudson?”
“I just…I know this isn’t good enough. I wish it was a house with a yard for Sadie.”
I titled his chin up with a light touch, and when he met my gaze I said, “This place is fantastic, and so much more than I’m used to. Besides, I’d be happy no matter what, even if you, me, and Kel ended up living in a van with the dog and his pet chinchillas.”
He grinned a little. “Well, when you compare it to a van, I guess this place isn’t so bad.”
Kel came into the kitchen just then, carrying two bags of groceries and a bouquet of flowers. He threw his arms around both of us and exclaimed, “Honeys, I’m home! I brought us champagne, and stuff to make a nice dinner, and some fancy little desserts. Let’s celebrate!”
Hudson nodded, but then he gestured at the keys Kel had put on the counter and said, “I forgot, I was going to go by a hardware store and make you your own set of keys, Noah. Kel has my only spare set, but you need some, too. I’m sorry.”
I could see his parents’ handiwork in his insecurity—the idea they’d drummed into him that he had to be perfect to be worthy of love. And really, the only way to counteract that was to keep loving him unconditionally, until he finally got the message that he didn’t need to earn it. I kissed him gently, and then I tried to lighten the mood with, “It’s fine, baby. Really. Now, let’s show Kel the stuff you got for Sadie, including her outhouse. I want to buy a tiny pink flamingo for it, because I’ve never had a lawn before. After that, we can drink champagne and eat way too much, because technically we’re still on vacation, so why not? And later on, there’ll be blow jobs for everyone.”
Hudson smiled at me and pointed out, “You know, you often use the promise of blow jobs as a motivational tool.”
I nodded. “That’s true. I guess it’s my version of dangling a carrot in front of you—so to speak.” That earned a pair of well-deserved groans.
That night, after a big dinner, and drinks, and yes, blow jobs as promised, the three of us curled up in bed. “It’s nice to have the whole family together,” Kel murmured, as he snuggled in on Hudson’s left. Sadie had discovered a second, nice new dog bed waiting for her in the main bedroom, and the chinchillas were cozied up in their carrier, which was on the dresser.
I snuggled in on Hudson’s right and grinned as he whispered, “I couldn’t agree more.”
10
Hudson
“It’s bittersweet, knowing this is my last pink Victorian party as a resident,” Kel said, as the three of us got comfortable on a cozy loveseat near the towering Christmas tree. All the furniture had been pushed to the sides of the living room to create a dance floor, and the three of us had been dancing nonstop for close to an hour.
But now that we’d finally stopped moving, Kel looked wistful. I kissed his temple and told him, “I know, sweetheart. But once you’re a part of the Pink Victorian Crew, that’s for life. Just look at how many former residents are here tonight, and how much fun they’re having. This place becomes a part of you, no matter where you end up.”
“You’re right,” he said, “and I love the fact that Noah’s friend Timothy is so excited about moving into my old room. Just look at him over by the fireplace, laughing with Lark, Yolanda, and JoJo like he’s known them all his life. This place is going to be perfect for him.”
“I’m so happy about that,” Noah said. “I felt bad about leaving him all alone in his tiny studio, but now I know he’ll be in good hands.”
“The best.” Kel perked up when the Scissor Sisters’ “I Don’t Feel Like Dancing” came on. “I love this song! Are you guys up for another round? Or is your knee bothering you, Sonny?”