Page 56

Hudson

The late morning sun filters through the half-closed blinds, casting soft golden streaks across the bedroom. The sounds of our apartment are quiet, save for the faint creak of the bed and Daphne’s breathless laugh beneath me. My favorite sound.

Her hands are tangled in my hair, her fingers tugging just enough to make me grin against the curve of her neck. “Hudson,” she whispers, a teasing edge to her voice. “Rosie’s asleep. We don’t have much time.”

I lean back, bracing myself above her, and let my gaze roam over every inch of her perfect body. Her flushed cheeks, her mussed hair, the way her lips part when I dip my hips just so. “We’ve got time,” I murmur, my voice low and rough. “And this is my way of celebrating. Draft day, baby.”

Her laugh is quiet, almost breathless, as she arches into me. “You’re unbelievable.”

“You’re right. Let me remind you just how unbelievable.” I smirk as I lower myself again, catching her mouth with mine. The kiss is deep and slow, a promise in every way. This isn’t rushed; it’s deliberate, intense. It’s intoxicating.

Stealing moments together when we can is what I live for.

The heat between us builds, our movements syncing into a rhythm we’ve perfected over this past year. Every shift of her body under mine, every soft sound she makes, every whisper of my name sends a rush through me, tightening my hold on her.

Her nails skim down my back, and I can’t stop the guttural groan that escapes me. “You’re gonna be the death of me,” I murmur against her lips, and she smiles that sly, knowing smile that drives me insane in the best way.

“Not before you’re the number one draft pick,” she teases, her voice breaking into a gasp as I drag myself along her sex, stealing whatever comeback she had planned.

“Damn right.” My grin returns as I bury my face in her neck, letting the scent of her, familiar, comforting, all mine, wash over me. In reality, I’m not gonna be number one draft pick, but it never hurts to dream.

She shifts her wet center close to the head of my cock, and I groan, unable to control myself any longer. “This is gonna be hard and fast, baby, so hold the fuck on to me.”

She nods as her legs widen as I slip inside her, feeling so fucking close to heaven.

Daphne gasps, her breath catching as her nails bite into my shoulders. Her body arches beneath me, her warmth pulling me closer, begging me to lose myself in her. “Don’t hold back,” she whispers, her voice soft but firm, and it’s a challenge that ignites something primal inside me.

When I thrust into her, it’s not just heat. She surrounds me, draws me in, and for a moment, it feels like I’m unraveling and holding myself together all at once.

“Fuck, Daph,” I groan, the words coming out rough as her body clenches around me. “You feel so damn perfect.” I lower my head, pressing my lips to her neck as my hips find their rhythm.

Moaning, her head falls back, her throat exposed and just asking for my mouth to mark her. Her body meets mine perfectly, every movement driving me deeper, pulling me closer. “Hudson…” she breathes, and hearing my name on her lips like a plea pushes me past the edge of control.

I drive into her harder, my hips slamming against hers, the sound of us filling the air alongside our ragged breaths. Sliding a hand down her body, I grip her thigh and pull her flush against me until there’s not a shred of space between us. “You take me so good, princess,” I rasp, my lips brushing against her ear, my teeth grazing her lobe. “You’re mine like this. All fucking mine.”

Her hands trail down my back, nails scratching at my skin, leaving streaks that turn me on more. She cries out, her body shaking beneath me as she comes undone, and it’s the most beautiful fucking thing I’ve ever seen. My chest tightens at the sight of her letting go, giving herself to me completely.

I don’t stop. I can’t stop. My hips move faster, chasing the high of her climax as it pushes me toward my own. As my movements grow erratic, my breath catches, and I bury myself inside her one final time. “Goddamn, Daphne,” I groan as my release shudders through me.

The world outside doesn’t exist in moments like this. It’s just her and me, her laughter turning into soft moans, my name spilling from her lips in a way that make my chest tighten and my blood race. Every bit of love, every piece of connection, every ounce of desire wrapped into the way we move together.

I collapse onto my side, pulling her into my arms as we catch our breath. The room is quiet again, except for the sound of our breathing and the faint hum of the monitor on the bedside table.

And then, just as the quiet settles, a tiny cry echoes from Rosie’s room.

Daphne laughs softly, burying her face in my chest. “Perfect timing.”

“She’s got a sixth sense, I swear,” I say, shaking my head but smiling as I kiss the top of Daphne’s head.

She slides out of bed, pulling on my discarded shirt. I follow, grabbing a pair of sweats off the floor and slipping them on as we head to Rosie’s room together.

Our daughter is standing in her crib, her tiny hands gripping the rails as she bounces on her chubby legs. Her big blue eyes light up when she sees us, and she squeals, a sound so full of joy it knocks the breath out of me.

I’ll never get over seeing her every morning.

This last year has been intense, juggling school and a baby, but we’ve found what works for us. Turns out, we couldn’t have survived it without Finn. He came home from Australia when Rosie was born and hasn’t left yet. Even if the last year has been up and down for him too, he’s been a constant for us and Rosie. With my final year and Daphne becoming a TA for her PR professor, as well as being offered a permanent spot on the CLUSports team, this year has been wild. But it’s also been the start of us as a family and that’s meant everything to me.

“Hey, Rosie girl,” I say, lifting her into my arms and spinning her around. She giggles, her laughter filling the room like sunshine.

“Dada!”

“I’m here, bub. Did you sleep okay? I missed you.” I kiss her warm little cheeks, and her blonde curls tickle my nose as she buries my face into the crook of her neck, making her squeal. That sweet baby smell is still the best ever.

Daphne leans against the doorway, her arms crossed, watching us with that soft smile she saves just for moments like these. “Careful. Hype her up now, and you’ll be chasing her around the whole party.”

“Worth it,” I say, grinning as I hold Rosie close.

Daphne steps into my side, resting her head against my shoulder as Rosie babbles happily between us.

“Mama.”

“Hi, Rosie girl. I love you. Are you ready for breakfast?”

“Mommy already had breakfast with Daddy, but maybe we can whip something up for you,” I say, winking to Daph as I pass her.

In a few hours, our friends will arrive. Finn, my mom and Rory, Coach and Serena, Liv, Seb and Indie, Benny, and Miles and Quinn will pack the house, ready to toast to draft day and graduation. But for now, it’s just us.

And as I hold them close, I know I’ve already won the best draft of my life.

***

Daphne

The apartment is alive with noise, every corner filled with the buzz of anticipation. Hudson’s mom and sister are huddled on the couch and next to her is her coffee date guy—whose name is actually Laurence and he’s great. Jay, Seb, Indie, Miles, and Quinn are scattered on the floor, cracking jokes and tossing chips at each other. Rosie is perched in my mom’s arms, feeding her snacks against her will, I’m sure.

Liv is raiding my pantry. She recently transferred to CLU, and having her nearby is going to be a godsend with Hudson going pro, even if I foresee her doing exactly what she’s doing now but on a daily basis.

Finn comes to my side, nudging my arm. “Chill, you’re sending all your nervous vibes to me.”

I break from my trance. He’s right; nerves are crawling over my skin. “Sorry.”

“We’ve prepped all year for this, everything will be fine,” he says, soothing me. When I told Hudson last year that we’d follow him anywhere, I meant it, and I still do. But that doesn’t stop the nerves from potentially upending our whole lives today.

“You’re right,” I say, but nerves catch my voice, making it wobble a little.

I look down at Hudson, just as his knee brushes against mine, his body humming with nervous energy as he fiddles with the bracelet and scrunchie around his wrist. I take a deep breath, calming myself for him. For once, he’s not grinning or cracking jokes. He’s quiet, focused. But his hand drifts to mine, fingers brushing like he needs an anchor, and I hold on, squeezing his hand twice.

“It’s gonna happen,” I tell him, my voice steady, even if my chest feels like it might burst.

Hudson glances at me, his lips quirking into the smallest smile. “Yeah?”

“Yeah,” I say, despite my nerves bubbling in my belly too.

He shifts his focus to our connected hands and smirks. “Remember the day I told you the two squeezes means ‘you good’?”

I nod, my throat suddenly tight. How could I forget? That day, that small, simple gesture, it’s always stayed with me.

His eyes stay locked on mine, so intense I can’t look away. “Well,” he continues, his voice dipping softer, more vulnerable, “it didn’t. It never has.”

My breath hitches. “What do you mean?”

He gives our connected hands two slow, deliberate squeezes, his gaze never wavering. “It means ‘love you,’” he says, the words trembling slightly.

My chest feels like it might burst straight out of my chest. Just when I think I couldn’t love him more, he proves me wrong every time. I blink back the tears stinging at the edges of my eyes, my heart racing as I squeeze his hand back—once, twice.

The TV quiets as the commissioner steps up, and the room follows.

“With the twenty-second pick in the NFL Draft, the Oregon Beavers select Hudson Parker, linebacker.”

The room explodes into chaos. Hudson’s mom lets out a high-pitched scream, her hands flying to her face as tears streak down her cheeks. His sister leaps from the couch, fists pumping the air as she yells, “You’re a Beaver!” Seb and Miles crash into Hudson, nearly toppling him in a tangle of arms and laughter, their shouts loud enough to shake the walls.

Jay jumps up, a whoop tearing from his throat, and Rosie—cradled in my mom’s arms—squeals with delight, clapping her tiny hands and flashing a grin that could light up the whole room, even though she can’t possibly understand what just happened.

Hudson doesn’t react right away. He’s frozen, only blinking, like he’s still processing the words that just changed his life. And then, as if on instinct, he turns his head to me.

His eyes find mine, and I swear the world falls away. Relief softens his features, and joy blooms in his expression like sunlight breaking through clouds. But there’s something deeper, something that roots him to this moment. Belonging. Like he’s finally standing exactly where he’s meant to be.

“Oregon,” he says, his voice quiet. “I got Oregon, princess.”

I nod, unable to stop the tears welling in my eyes. “You got it, baby.”

He pulls me into his arms, holding me tight, and my whole body settles. “I wanted this,” he whispers against my hair. “I wanted to stay. With you and Rosie.”

I pull back just enough to look at him. “You’ve got me and her. Always. No matter where we are.”

He brushes a tear from my cheek with his thumb as a slow, confident smile tips up the sides of his mouth. “Marry me,” he says.

My brain short-circuits. “What?” I manage, my voice coming out somewhere between a gasp and a laugh.

“I’m serious.” His voice is steady, eyes soft but so sure. “I want to marry you, Daph. I want us all to have the same name. I don’t even care if it’s yours or mine. I’ll take whatever, as long as it’s with you. Because when I look at you and when I look at our daughter, all I see is our future.”

I open my mouth to speak, but he doesn’t stop, like he’s been holding this in for weeks and it’s all spilling out now. “I’m not gonna pretend it doesn’t scare me. It does. But in the best way. Like, giant-butterflies-having-a-rave-in-my-stomach kind of way. Obnoxious, ridiculous butterflies.”

I laugh, wiping my cheek where a stray tear escapes, but he isn’t done. His voice softens, dropping to this heart-shattering sincerity that makes my chest ache. “You’re my person, Daph. You’ve always been my person. And I want this. I want you for always. Marry me, princess.”

The room around us is still cheering, laughing, celebrating, but it feels like we’re in our own little bubble. Just me and him. The love of my life, looking at me like I hung the stars.

I take a shaky breath, trying to find words big enough for what I feel. “Yes,” I say finally, my voice trembling. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”

And the way his face lights up, the way he pulls me into the tightest hug and whispers, “Fuck, I’m the luckiest guy,” it’s like the rest of the world disappears again.

Hudson isn’t just staying close. He’s home. My home. Forever.

The End

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