Chapter 39

HUDSON

Iwatched Diana through my hazy view, her face illuminated in the passing streetlights. She was so innocent and pure. Nothing like the women I was used to picking up at the club. She was gorgeous. She wasn't wearing an outfit that showed off that fabulous rack of hers or the rest of her delicious curves. I didn't need that with her. But there was a part of me that realized she was a little too good for me.

"Did you have fun?" I asked, my tongue heavily soaked in alcohol. The world was spinning around me, but I still managed to focus on Diana.

She didn't respond immediately, turning to look out the window. "It was different," she finally said, her voice barely audible over the hum of the engine. Her words stung more than they should have.

"Different how?" I asked. It was as though she had unlocked a part of me that was hidden deep within, and for the first time in a long time, I felt vulnerable.

"I've never been in an environment like that before," she responded, her voice barely more than a whisper now. "Intense… overwhelming. It was… interesting."

I felt a pang of guilt hit me like a sledgehammer. I should have known better than to bring her there. I should have taken her somewhere quiet, somewhere calm. In my world of nightclubs and secrets, Diana was like a breath of fresh air. A rare, precious gem that didn't belong amid the grime and tempestuous intensity of a place like this. Her world was slower, quieter, and a lot less bougie.

"Here we are," she said. "Do you think you can make it to the elevator?"

"What?"

"We're at your building. We need to get out of the cab and walk to the elevator."

I offered a sloppy grin. "Of course."

I tried to stand, but my legs were a noodle soup of uncertainty. I grabbed onto Diana's arm to steady myself. The concerned look in her eyes was replaced with a soft laugh as she supported my weight against her own. We managed to stagger out of the cab and toward the entrance of the building.

Once we reached the elevator, I pressed the button with more force than necessary. "I apologize, Diana," I muttered, leaning on the wall for support. "Not my proudest moment."

"It's alright, Hudson," she assured me, removing a loose strand of hair from my face in a caring gesture that made me smile.

The world spun dizzily around me as Diana helped me stumble down the hall of my penthouse, her arm wrapped around my waist to steady me. I felt like a complete mess, my head swimming with the effects of the alcohol I had consumed far too quickly and far too recklessly. How had I not realized how much I'd had to drink? I cursed myself silently, feeling the weight of my own stupidity settle heavily on my shoulders. My month of near sobriety turned me into a lightweight.

"I'm sorry, Diana," I mumbled, my words slurred and barely coherent. "I shouldn't have had so much to drink. I'm sorry."

She smiled, her expression gentle and understanding as she guided me toward the bedroom. "It's okay. Let's just get you to the bed."

"Did you have a fun time?" I asked as I stumbled toward the bed.

She hesitated for a moment, her gaze searching mine before she nodded. "Yes, I did."

But I could see the doubt in her eyes, the flicker of disappointment that she couldn't quite conceal. It wasn't her jam. I got it.

"What about meeting my family?" I asked, desperate for some small shred of validation. "Did you like that at least?"

Her smile softened, and for a moment, I caught a glimpse of the kindness that had drawn me to her in the first place. "That was the best part of the night," she admitted. "Your family is wonderful, Hudson. Big, loud, and loving. That's a good family."

"Yeah, they are," I agreed.

We talked for a while longer, about my brothers and their various quirks and idiosyncrasies, but my thoughts were scattered and disjointed, my mind unable to focus on anything for long. Diana helped me get my shoes off and undressed.

"You've got too many clothes on," I said.

She laughed. "You are in no condition to do anything."

"Trust me, it's all instinct," I said, trying to sound seductive, but I had a feeling I was failing.

She shook her head, her laughter echoing in the quiet room. "I think for tonight, we should just stick to sleeping," she said, tucking me under the covers.

"Fair enough," I conceded with a weak smile. I stifled a yawn as my eyelids began to droop heavily. "Babe?

"Yes?"

"Can you get me a couple of aspirin? I think I might have a hangover in the morning."

"Gee, you think?" she teased.

She returned a few minutes later with a glass of water and two tablets. The room spun around me one more time before everything began to fade out. I couldn't help but feel a pang of shame wash over me. I had let myself get carried away, had indulged in too much alcohol and made a fool of myself in front of her. And now, here she was, taking care of me just like I had taken care of her all those weeks ago when she was sick.

"Thank you," I murmured, my words slurred and barely audible as I sank into the softness of the mattress.

"You're welcome, Hudson. Sleep. Hopefully, you won't feel too bad in the morning."

I mumbled, not even sure what I was saying, feeling the weight of exhaustion settling over me like a heavy blanket.

"Stay," I blurted out impulsively, blindly reaching out to grab her hand. "Stay with me. I need you next to me."

"I need to sleep, Hudson," she said. "You need to sleep too. There's a trashcan next to the bed if you feel like you're going to be sick."

I managed to open one eye and watched her go, feeling a sense of emptiness settle over me as the door closed behind her. I knew I had screwed up. I had let my own demons get the better of me once again. I lay there in the darkness, trying to find the energy to get up and go to her. My mind swirled with regret and self-recrimination. I made a silent vow to do better, to be better, for her sake and for mine. It was just one night. Didn't everybody deserve to let loose and have fun now and then? I just wouldn't do it too often. It was my last coherent thought before I let my alcohol-soaked brain fade into oblivion.

I woke up with a pounding headache, the sunlight streaming through the blinds feeling like daggers in my eyes. Groaning, I rolled over in bed, trying to block out the throbbing pain that pulsed through my skull. It had been a long time since I'd had a hangover, and I didn't like it one bit.

I forced myself to sit up, feeling the world tilt. My stomach churned unpleasantly, reminding me of the excessive amount of alcohol I had consumed the night before. I felt a surge of guilt wash over me as I remembered my behavior, my drunken antics that had left Diana feeling uncomfortable and unsettled.

Pushing aside the covers, I swung my legs over the side of the bed and stood up shakily, feeling the room spin around me. It took all of my strength to steady myself, to push back the waves of nausea that threatened to overwhelm me. Part of me knew I should just go back to bed. I was in no shape to do anything.

I made my way to the bathroom, leaning heavily against the wall for support. The tiles were cool under my bare feet, a stark contrast to the heat radiating from my body. I stared at my reflection in the mirror, taking in the disheveled hair and bloodshot eyes. I was a mess, and I knew it.

With a heavy sigh, I turned on the faucet and splashed cold water onto my face, trying to clear away the remnants of last night's debauchery. It was refreshing and brought me some much-needed relief. I couldn't resist sticking my face under the faucet and guzzling cold water. It tasted so good.

I stood up, dried my face with a towel, and reached for my toothbrush. No way was I going to get near Diana with this breath. As I brushed, flashes of the night before came back to me. The laughter, the dancing, the drinking. I couldn't help but wince as I remembered tripping over my own feet and laughing like a maniac.

After rinsing and spitting, I gripped the sink tightly, closing my eyes as another wave of nausea rolled over me. I took deep breaths until it passed, refusing to let myself vomit.

Dragging myself away from the bathroom, I made my way into the kitchen. I found Diana sipping a cup of coffee, her expression unreadable as she glanced up at me.

"I made coffee," she said quietly, gesturing toward the pot on the counter. "There wasn't anything to make for breakfast."

I winced at her words, feeling a pang of regret at the thought of leaving her to fend for herself after my drunken escapades. "I'm sorry, Diana," I said, my voice heavy with remorse. "We can order breakfast if you want."

She shook her head, her expression distant as she turned away from me. "I'd rather just go home," she said softly, her words like a knife to the heart.

"Okay, let me get some coffee and I'll call the car. Do you want to shower here?"

"I'll wait until I get home," she replied coolly.

I poured myself a cup of coffee, unable to do much else except suck down the caffeine. I let the hot liquid run down my throat, taking another drink. I didn't care if it was scalding my tongue. I needed the caffeine.

"Did you sleep okay?" I asked her.

"Yes."

I didn't have the energy to make conversation with someone who wasn't really interested in talking. I sucked down my coffee and refilled my cup.

"I need a quick shower," I said. "I can smell the alcohol coming off me."

"Me too," she murmured.

I gave her a nod and walked away. As the water cascaded over me in the shower, I let out a heavy sigh, trying to wash away the remnants of the night before. My head was still throbbing but at least some of the cobwebs cleared. I needed food, but my stomach was still not ready for that. I had managed not to throw up. I didn't want to risk it now.

After finishing my shower, I dried off and got dressed in fresh clothes, feeling slightly more human now. The guilt and regret still weighed heavily on me, but I knew I had to face the consequences of my actions from the night before. When I returned to the kitchen, Diana was already standing by the door, her bag slung over her shoulder.

Her eyes were fixed on some distant point outside. She seemed so far away, so unlike the woman I had known just a few days ago.