Chapter 13

HUDSON

My phone buzzed in my pocket just as I stepped into the backyard of the rental house I was looking at. Glancing at the caller ID, I saw that it was Zayn.

"Excuse me for a second," I told the man showing me the property.

He nodded and gave me some space. I stepped away to take the call. "Hey, Zayn," I greeted him. "What's up?"

"Hey, Hudson. Where are you?"

"I'm checking out a potential AirBnB to stay in during my time here in Cold Springs," I replied.

"Cold Springs, you're still there?"

"Yeah, it's only been a few days. Listen, I'm with the house people. I'll call you back in a few when we're done."

"You better call me back," he warned. "You've ghosted us for a week. I thought you were lying face down in a ditch."

"No, although I did help a lady out of a ditch. It's a long story. I'll call you back." I ended the call and walked back to the owner of the house. "I'd like to rent it for a month. But in case I want to stay longer, I'll leave a deposit to hold it, if that works for you?"

He grimaced. "I don't really do deposits. The app doesn't work like that."

"Fine, let's just say I'm staying for two months," I said.

His face lit up, clearly happy to have such a big payday coming his way. "Now we're talking." He nodded eagerly.

"I'll Venmo the money right now."

He enthusiastically gave me his account info. I quickly sent the money, clicked a few things on the AirBnb app, and that was it.

He handed me the keys. "If you need anything, just give me a call," he said. "I'm the property manager. I don't live in town but I can get here pretty quickly."

"Thank you," I said. "I appreciate you working with me on this."

He left me in the house to take another tour on my own. I was lucky to have found the place. Apparently, the owners had just moved overseas last month. I was the first renter.

I walked around the house that was half the size of the penthouse I rarely stayed at in Manhattan, but it was a pretty good size. It was outside the town limits and just over four thousand square feet. It was more than enough space for just me. The heated pool, in-home gym, and the beautiful view of the Hudson River were perfect. It was simple but luxurious. And I felt close to nature. Well, as close to nature as I wanted to get.

Looking at the trees and the big open sky was fun, but actually being out there meant bugs and birds and bears. If I felt a drop fall on me, I would wonder if it was rain or a bird peeing on me. No one ever mentioned the bird pee, but those feathery fucks had to go somewhere. I just preferred it to be somewhere other than on me.

Keeping my eyes on the unfriendly skies, I walked back outside and sat down in one of the lounge chairs to call Zayn back. As the phone rang, I considered buying some kind of big umbrella for the patio.

He answered right away. "Did you say you were renting a place?" he asked without saying hello.

"I rented a house for the month," I replied.

"That's such a long time," he said.

I laughed. "You're the one that told me to get away for a bit. I think you had the right idea. It's been nice to get away and slow the hell down."

"Did you rent a little cottage in the trees?" he joked.

"It's not a little cottage but there's definitely trees. Maybe a little too many." I paused. "Hey, where do birds pee?"

His laughter erupted through the phone speaker. "Is this what you think about when you're not partying?"

"If you don't know, just say so," I said, laughing.

He chuckled. "Yeah, you got me. My knowledge in that area is pretty limited. But hey, you've got some time on your hands. Go do some research. For science."

"I'm not that bored out here. But the place is pretty nice." I described the Air BnB to him, detailing its size, amenities, and the stunning view of the river on one side and the woods on the other. When I was done, Zayn whistled appreciatively, clearly approving my choice.

"That sounds amazing," he said. "You're living the high life out there, huh?"

"Well, it's more sober than high these days, but yeah, something like that."

"You like it there?" he asked.

"I do," I replied. "I've met a couple of nice people. They're small-town folks that have zero interest in the city life. I mean, I don't even think they recognize me."

"Oh, the horror of not being famous enough," he said.

"No, I'm saying it's awesome to not be recognized. Their first impression of me wasn't on social media, seeing a picture of me with my face buried in some blonde's cleavage."

Zayn laughed. "I remember that one. People got mad because it was Mother's Day."

"Hey, that blonde was a mom. Not a responsible one but still."

"Remember that photo of you asleep next to that homeless guy in the park?" Zayn asked.

"Technically, I was passed out," I said, grimacing. "And that man was a gentleman. He took good care of me when everyone else was laughing and taking pictures."

"Well, I hope you gave him a few bucks for that," Zayn said.

"I did," I said. "Then I got him an apartment and a job. He just got engaged to nice girl from Jersey."

"Holy shit, I had no idea you did that."

I shrugged. "Well, I didn't do it for pats on the back."

"No," Zayn said. "I mean I can't believe you helped someone get their life in order when you're such a train wreck."

I laughed ruefully. "I know. But that's why I'm in Cold Springs. To get my shit together. And these people I met seem like they can help with that."

"How?" Zayn asked.

"They're just a lot different than the people I know there. These are decent people. Not jaded and too cool for everything. They've welcomed me in, and it's been nice."

"And?" he said. "You've referred to them. Please don't tell me you just moved two hours away to party with a new crowd."

"No," I said. "No partying. There was some drinking one night, but I was basically sober. There's a girl. A woman. She's cool. Different too. I like her."

"Uh oh." Zayn laughed. "From one vice to the next. I'm not sure that's a great idea."

"She's not a vice," I said. "She's different than any other woman I've been with."

"You're sleeping with her? Because then she's the same as the rest of them."

"Nope," I said. "No sex. We just hung out a couple of times. She gave me a ride when my rental car broke down."

I didn't go into the whole story.

"It sounds like you've got a little crush, my friend."

"Shut up," I said. "I'm not twelve. I don't get crushes. I just like her. I like spending time with her and I hope to see her again."

I wasn't going to tell him that I was crushing hard on Diana. I absolutely felt twelve again, when Cassie Kline smiled at me in math class and my heart almost exploded. Diana had the same effect on me, which was crazy because I didn't think I was capable of feeling like that anymore.

I also wasn't thinking about drugs like I used to. Now, I woke up every morning thinking about her. I thought about her lips, her body, her smile. Every little thing.

"She lives there, I assume?" Zayn asked.

"Yeah, she's an elementary school teacher," I said. "She's very casual. Gorgeous, curly hair. She's got a very good girl look about her. She looks like she's all prim and proper, but she's tough. Her friends told me she loves going mudding and just knows how to have fun. She's not worried about her makeup or wearing the latest fashion."

"She sounds like a great catch," Zayn remarked. "But be careful."

"Careful of what?" I asked.

"That girl sounds like wife material," he said, laughing. "Be careful or you're going to end up shackled with a ball and chain."

I scoffed. "I think I'll be fine."

"She might see you as a way out," he warned. "Seriously, be careful, in case she sees you as a ticket out of her small town."

"I told you, she doesn't know anything about me," I said. "She doesn't know my last name or what a man-slut I've been. She picked me up as a hitchhiker. She just saw someone stranded on the side of the road and stopped to help."

"Are you sure she doesn't know about your wealth, your power, your connections?"

"Nope," I replied. "And I'd like to keep it that way for now."

Zayn laughed "Sounds like you're enjoying the mystery of it all."

I shrugged. "Not the mystery. The anonymity. I'm not Hudson the fuck-up, party-boy Bancroft. I'm just a dude taking a few days off from the daily grind of the rat race. That's who they have met and that's who they like. It's cool. I'm happy with the way things are going."

"Alright," he said. "I hope it works for you. You sound good."

"Thanks."

We talked a bit more and then said our goodbyes. I ended the call and left the house to go to the hotel and get my things. I was looking forward to a long hot shower without creaking and groaning pipes. On the drive back to the hotel, I thought about what Zayn said about Diana.

I wasn't worried she was going to slap the shackles on me. But maybe, just maybe, Diana was exactly what I needed to finally find my way out of the darkness and into the light.

I quickly packed my things and went to the hotel lobby to check out. I didn't want to be a dick, but I couldn't get away from the place fast enough. I had been born with a silver spoon in my mouth, so I liked luxury and I liked privacy.

Before heading out to the house, I needed groceries. I didn't cook a lot, but I didn't particularly want to eat in a restaurant all the time. The town had limited food options. I couldn't get a cheeseburger delivered at two in the morning.

I strolled through the aisles of the store, tossing items into my cart and finding it pretty funny I was suddenly so boring. None of my brothers would believe I was in a grocery store pushing a cart as I searched for a decent cut of meat.

It was oddly freeing. I felt a sense of independence I hadn't felt before. I was stone-cold sober and I wasn't craving a drink or any other substance. I was free from the chains that kept me in that lifestyle.

I credited Diana for a lot of my success here. She was unlike anyone I'd ever met before, and I found myself drawn to her in ways I couldn't quite explain. She was smart, funny, and refreshingly genuine—a breath of fresh air in a world filled with superficiality. I couldn't wait to see her again. I wanted to invite her to my house. Maybe I could cook dinner for her.

I glanced down at my cart, mentally checking off the items as I had in my mind. Milk, bread, eggs, coffee.

I picked up some fruit and veggies. If I was going to do this healthy thing, I wanted to do it right. I wanted to eat clean for a bit, give my body a break from the shit I usually ate. With a cart full of groceries, I headed for the checkout counter.

While I stood in the line, loading my items onto the belt one by one, I heard a familiar voice behind me. Turning around, I found Troy with a grin plastered across his face.

"Hudson, my man! Fancy seeing you here," Troy exclaimed, clapping me on the shoulder in greeting.

"Hey, Troy. What's up?" I replied. The cashier scanned my items while we talked.

"We're heading out to the flats today around four," he said. "You should join us."

I raised an eyebrow, having no idea what he was inviting me to. "The flats?"

Troy's grin widened. "We're going out to do some four-by-fouring. We're going to roast some hotdogs, toast some marshmallows, and maybe even crack open a few cold ones by the bonfire. It'll be a blast. We have to take advantage of our last days of summer."

I nodded, liking the sound of Troy's plans. Going mudding sounded like just the kind of adrenaline-fueled activity I needed to keep my mind off getting wasted. Part of being out in Cold Springs was relaxing and finding peace, but I also needed to stay busy and have some innocent fun.

"That sounds like a great time," I replied. "Where's it at? Can I drive my rental out there?"

He laughed. "Not if you want to keep from paying for a new car," he joked. "I'll swing by and pick you up around three thirty. We'll make sure you get there without getting stuck."

"I'm just on my way out to a house I rented for the month," I said.

"Where at?"

I quickly told him. His brows shot up. "You're renting that place?"

"I am."

"Damn, you know how to live."

I laughed. "I like lots of space to stretch out. Plus, there weren't a lot of other options."

"That's cool. I'll be out there."

"Awesome, thanks for the invitation. I've never actually been four-by-fouring."

He chuckled. "You're in for a real treat."

"Thank you."

Troy clapped me on the back again, his grin widening. "Anytime, buddy. We'll show you how we do things here in Cold Springs."

As I finished paying for my groceries and collected my bags, I found myself looking forward to trying something new. Something I would have never gotten the chance to experience in my normal life.

Things were looking up.