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CHAPTER THIRTEEN

WELCOME HOME

PENN

Over the next few days, I look for every reason to cross paths with Adeline Evans.

I linger around longer than necessary at lunchtime and go back for extra snacks.

I stop by her office just to say hey and to see if she's busy, and if she's not, I shoot the shit talking about whatever I think will strike her funny.

I feel like a junior high kid trying to impress the girl and I can hardly comprehend how fun this is.

I know the guys told me that I would understand one day, but I truly never believed them. I didn't think I would feel this way about any girl ever. Everything about her is intriguing.

“Penn,” Coach barks. “Why do I keep catching you loitering around my daughter's office? Don't you have things to do?”

Addy stands up and frowns. “It’s the end of the day, Dad. And he’s allowed to talk to me…it’s kind of part of my job…that I talk to the players.” Her tone is no-nonsense, and he looks chagrined for a moment before he keeps walking.

“I looked pretty good out there today, didn't I?” I say, calling after him. I grin at Addy, waiting for her dad to shoot me down.

He waves his hand over his head and grumbles something.

“I think he’s softening toward me,” I say and Addy laughs.

A door slams and Peter, one of our security guards, rushes toward us. I’m surprised when he stops in front of me.

“I’ve got a kid out here. Says he’s Sam. He’s looking for you. I tried to call you, but?—”

“Fuck. My phone’s still on silent.” I pull it out of my pocket and switch on the sound. “Sam’s here?” I glance at Addy for a second and then follow Peter down the hall.

“He’s hurt,” Peter says.

Addy gasps and rushes to catch up with us.

“What? What do you mean? Where is he?” I ask.

He motions for me to keep following him.

When we reach Sam, I’m horrified when he turns and I see his face. His nose is bloody and his eyes are purple and puffy.

“Sam, what happened?” I rush toward him and pull him in for a hug.

He swallows hard, shaking his head.

“I didn't know what else to do,” he says.

“Oh my God, Sam. I’ll go get a cold cloth,” Addy says, rushing to the bathroom near the main entrance.

“What happened?” I repeat. “Who did this?”

He just shakes his head and stares at me.

“Was it one of your foster parents?” I ask.

He eventually nods.

“Okay, we're going to the hospital.”

“I don't need to go to the hospital,” he says, “just please don't make me go back there.”

Addy rushes out with a cloth and gingerly holds it up to his face.

“You're not going back there, I promise. I don't care what we have to do. I won’t let them take you from me this time. But we have to go to the doctor—we need to report this.” I glance at Addy and she nods.

“Okay,” Sam says, his voice weak. “Thanks, Addy.”

“Of course. I wish I could do more,” she says.

I squeeze her shoulder, thanking her too.

“How did you get here?” I ask Sam.

“I took the bus and walked.”

He leans into me as we walk outside. I can feel him shaking against me and it fucking kills me.

“Oh, my man. I’m so sorry.”

“Wait, you’re not going without me,” Addy calls, rushing behind us.

We get in the SUV, Addy in the back seat and Sam in the front. He’s leaning his head back and she’s leaning forward, trying to make him more comfortable. She brushes his hair back and sets the tissues near him.

“I should’ve grabbed ice before we left,” she says apologetically.

I keep looking over there to make sure he's okay. Tears run down his face. But he's quiet, and it cracks my heart wide open. I rush to the ER and as soon as they’ve taken us back to a room, I walk into the hall to call Mrs. Murphy.

“It’s Penn Hudson. I’m with Sam. They hit him…his fucking foster parents hit him,” I say. I stare up at the ceiling, trying to rein in the rage. “We’re at the hospital. We need your help. Please don't let us down this time.”

“I’ll be right there,” she says.

We hang up and I call David.

We have a lot of great lawyers through the team, but for matters related to Sam, I’ve been talking to Weston’s dad, David. He and his wife, Lane, and Weston’s sister, Olivia are all partners at the Law Offices of Shaw & Shaw.

“Whatever it takes,” I tell him, “just please help me. I want to adopt him. I don’t want there to be any risk of this happening to him again. I can't send him back there.”

“No, no, you can’t,” he says. “I’ll get to work on everything.”

We're there for a couple of hours and they check everything out. He doesn’t have a concussion, and overall, he seems physically okay.

Just scarred, traumatized…the things that go deeper than a fist. The things he's seen, the things he’s been through.

..I can’t stand to think about it, but it’s time we all dealt with it head-on.

My phone buzzes and I open the text thread with the guys.

Weston

Sadie and I are grilling tonight. Anyone want in?

Rhodes

Hell, yes. Elle and I were just talking about how we didn’t feel like cooking tonight. What can we bring?

Hey guys. I’m at the ER with Sam…and Addy too. Sam was beaten up pretty bad at his foster house today.

Henley

Holy fuck. What the hell happened?

It was his foster dad.

There’s a knock on the door and I hurriedly text.

I need to get off my phone. I’ll touch base later.

I turn off my phone and put it in my pocket.

A police officer comes and I can tell Sam’s nervous to say anything about his foster parents, but I assure him that he needs to be forthright. Pictures are taken of his injuries, and more than one person asks him questions.

My mom and I text back and forth while we wait. She and Dad will leave first thing in the morning and try to do the drive in one day.

Addy has been amazing. She’s distracted Sam with Would you rather? questions and let him play games on her phone. She just went down the hall to get drinks for us. Sam’s eyes are drifting shut, so maybe he’ll rest for a while.

The nurse peeks her head in and whispers that the social worker has arrived. When I walk out to meet Mrs. Murphy, her eyes don’t meet mine at first. When they do, her gaze is sorrowful and full of regret.

“He's coming home with me,” I say.

She nods. “I was able to get a temporary pass for you, but I don't know how long it'll last.”

Addy appears next to me, managing three large drinks. “This is crazy,” she says to Mrs. Murphy. “Sam belongs with Penn.”

“And you are?” Mrs. Murphy asks, not unkindly.

Addy glances at me and then squares her shoulders, looking back at Mrs. Murphy. “I’m Adeline Evans, Penn’s girlfriend.”

I try to school the shock from my expression when Mrs. Murphy lifts her eyebrows and tilts her head at me.

“I wasn't aware Mr. Hudson had a girlfriend,” she says.

“Well, he does…I am,” Addy says. “And we’re…very serious.”

If the situation weren’t so dire, I’d laugh, but as I watch Mrs. Murphy take in the information, nodding as if she’s mentally cataloging this, I get emotional. It might not make any difference, but I’m grateful that Addy would try to be helpful.

“Well, this is a nice development,” Mrs. Murphy says, smiling at me.

“I’ll make note of this in your file.” And then her smile drops.

“But I’m wondering why you didn’t disclose this earlier.

I’m sure you can understand why we’ll need to put Adeline through the same rigorous process you’re going through.

I’d like to see Sam and then as soon as the hospital clears him to go, you’re free to take him home with you. ”

My shoulders deflate and I reach out and take Addy’s hand, needing something to hold onto.

“Thank you. It’s been a little complicated because Addy works for the Mustangs, but don’t worry—we’re not breaking protocol or anything like that.

” I take a deep breath. “I will take such good care of Sam. I swear to you I will not let him down.”

Mrs. Murphy gives me a fond look. “He’s very lucky to have you.”

I smile at her gratefully and motion toward the room. “We’re lucky to have each other. He was asleep, but he’ll be glad to see you and will be happy for this news.”

She nods briskly and walks into Sam’s room. Addy and I exchange a loaded look. I want to talk to her about her comment, but now is not the time. Mrs. Murphy isn’t with Sam for long and when she comes out, her shoulders are relaxed.

“I’ll be checking in tomorrow to see how he’s doing,” she says.

“Okay. Sounds good.” I shake her hand and watch as she walks away, letting out a long exhale.

Sam’s nurse walks up and grins. “I think he’s ready to go home.”

“Really?” I follow her into his room and she walks to his bedside.

“I’ve got your release papers,” she says. “And it sounds like you’re going home with this guy.” She points at me over her shoulder, and Sam and I grin our faces off.

“You look too happy for someone who’s had such a rough day,” I tell him after she leaves the room.

“I’m so happy,” he says, tears rolling down his face.

I put my arm around him and squeeze lightly, careful not to hurt him.

“We’ve waited way too long for this,” I tell him. “Can’t quite believe it’s really happening myself.” I lean in closer. “I’m so happy too, buddy.”

The drive is quiet in comparison to the panic we felt on the way to the hospital.

“Oh, shit. I need to drive you back to the training facility.” I glance at Addy when I go in the wrong direction.

She waves me off. “I’ll get an Uber home and to work in the morning. Not a big deal. I want to make sure this guy is okay.” She turns around to look at him in the back seat.

“I have plenty of guest bedrooms,” I tell her. “You can stay the night or I can take you home later.”

“I’m not worried about it,” she says, smiling at me before she turns to look at Sam again. “How are you doing back there?”

“Pretty good,” he says.

“You hungry?” I ask, looking in the rearview mirror.

“Yes,” he says emphatically.

It makes me laugh. “I’ve never been so happy to hear you say that. Means you’re feeling better and I can do something about feeding you right now . How about I pick up soup and sandwiches from Starlight Cafe?”

“That sounds so good,” he says wistfully. “And a Moonlight shake from Serendipity?”

“You got it. Coming right up.”

“Now you have me curious about the Moonlight shake,” Addy says.

“It’s chocolate ice cream with peanut butter chunks and chocolate syrup,” he says.

“Sold,” she says, laughing.

“That’s on a dietitian’s approved list?” I tease.

“Chocolate and peanut butter are always on my approved list.”

We’ve missed rush hour, so the drive back to our cute little town is a lot less congested than it usually is on my way back from training camp. Before we reach Starlight Cafe, Tiana is singing on the corner opposite us. I lower my window to hear her better.

“I’ve missed Silver Hills so much,” Addy says.

“Even after living in California?” I ask in surprise.

“I love California, don’t get me wrong. I will always wish I was seeing the ocean. But I missed the seasons here, and I missed the slower pace of life. And Tiana, my God. She just doesn’t age, does she? What potion is she taking?”

I laugh. “I know. She’s a rock star through and through.” I pull in front of the cafe and make sure I have their orders right. “Okay, I’ll be right back.”

“Do you need help getting all that back out?” she asks.

“I can handle it,” I say, and the grin she gives me back makes my heart stutter.

I glance at Sam and he’s smirking at me from the back seat. I point at him and his smile grows. My little sidekick isn’t missing a thing.

When I get back to the SUV, Sam is telling Addy all about the girls at school. Some of the things the guys have said to me about having kids with the women they love comes back to me, because I get a lump in my throat, seeing Sam so happy with Addy.

It’s silly though because of course I don’t love Addy.

Let’s not get ahead of ourselves here.

I make one more stop at Serendipity and then drive home. As I help Sam get inside, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude—that he’s here, that he’s safe, that I can take care of him now in the way I’ve wanted to for so long.

I glance down at him and despite looking a mess from being hurt, his eyes are peaceful.

“Welcome home,” I tell him.

He leans his head into my chest and hugs me. “Thanks, Penn.”

I have to swallow down the huge lump in my throat. We’ve overcome a huge obstacle. Every step feels like a quiet victory…or at least a huge step in the right direction.

I text the guys to let them know Sam is home with me, and they’re as happy as I am.

Henley

It’s about time.

Weston

So happy for you, man.

Rhodes

This was a long time coming. The two of you are meant to be together.

Bowie

This is the best news. And you’ll have to fill us in on how Addy ended up at the hospital.

Rhodes

Fuck yeah, you will.

Can’t chat now, she’s still here.