Chapter 45

HUDSON

The past two weeks in Cold Springs had been nothing short of surreal. It was like stepping into a dream, one where everything felt just right, where every moment spent with Diana was a gift I never wanted to take for granted. We'd grown closer than ever before, our bond deepening with each passing day.

I hadn't had a drink in all that time. I didn't even want a drink. She was all I wanted. I knew there was probably something wrong with that. I craved her like I used to crave alcohol. But it was far healthier and more fulfilling.

The smell of her perfume still lingered on my skin, a reminder of the intimate moments we had shared. I couldn't help but smile just thinking about her.

Diana had become my new vice. Every waking moment was spent thinking about her, planning our next date, or just enjoying the simple pleasure of being in her presence. She was the drug that I couldn't get enough of, and I didn't want to.

Tomorrow night, I was meeting her parents. I didn't even know what that was going to be like. I knew how important it was to Diana, how much it meant to her to have me meet her parents. I intended to put my best foot forward. I wanted to show them the man that she saw in me.

I'd never done the whole meeting the parents thing before. I could admit, the thought of it made me a little anxious. But for the first time in my life, I really wanted to do it. I wanted to make a good impression, to show them that I was good for their daughter.

Diana was sitting on the couch, waiting for me when I got out of the shower. "You should have joined me," I said.

"If I did that, we would never get out of here." She laughed.

"Good point." I grinned.

"How are you feeling?" she asked.

I didn't have to wonder what she was talking about. We had been texting earlier and we talked about it last night and this morning.

"I'm cool," I said. "It's good."

"I know that natural charm you have in buckets will win my father over," she said. "Once he gets to know you, he's going to love you. He just got a bad first impression."

"He hated me before he ever met me," I reminded her. "And warning me away from you wasn't exactly a warm welcome into town."

She grinned. "We've talked about this."

"I know," I groaned.

"All I ask for is patience and effort from both of you," she said. "I know it might not be easy at first, but I believe that if you both give it a chance, you'll see how wonderful the other truly is."

This isn't just about impressing her parents. It's about showing Diana that I'm willing to go the extra mile for her, to make her happy in any way that I can.

"Fine, only because I think you are the most beautiful woman in the world," I said. "And I really like having sex with you. And spending time with you."

She burst into laughter. "Get ready to go. We're going to be late for the party."

"I'm pretty sure everyone is supposed to be late for any party," I retorted. "Remember, I'm kind of a party expert."

Tonight was Troy's birthday party. Diana was anxious to go. I was still trying to figure out what that relationship was about, but I wasn't the type to be overly jealous. Apparently, it was an annual outdoor extravaganza. There was going to be lots of barbecue, swimming, drinks, and party games. I liked Troy, but I wasn't going to leave him alone with Diana if I could help it.

"Are you sure we're not supposed to bring anything?" I asked as we headed out the door.

"Nope. Just ourselves."

"I'm bringing the bottle," I said.

"Fine," she sighed. "But trust me there is going to be a lot of alcohol at the party. We don't need to bring anything."

"I'm pretty sure we've always been told you never show up empty handed," I replied.

She rolled her eyes. "Fine."

She drove her new car that I knew she was very proud of out to Troy's house. I could hear the sounds of laughter and music the second we got out of the car.

"This sounds like quite the rager," I said.

"Have you ever partied in a small town?" she teased.

I laughed. "I think I can honestly say I have partied everywhere. In every way. There is little I haven't done."

We walked into the house and were quickly directed to the backyard. The backyard was filled with people laughing, dancing, and enjoying each other's company. The smell of grilling meat wafted through the air, mingling with the sound of laughter and some song I didn't recognize but liked.

"Looks like we're going to have a good time," I said, scanning the crowd.

"Troy's parties are always the best," she said, beaming.

This was my chance to prove to Diana that I could handle myself in this kind of environment. I could be a part of her world without losing control. We could attend parties, go to the bar, or a club without me losing control.

"Hudson! Diana!" Jessie waved us over.

We shook hands, with Diana and Jessie hugging. Jessie gestured to several ice chests and a large tub filled with ice and a variety of hard seltzers. "Those are the chick drinks," he said before reaching down and opening an ice chest. He handed me a beer.

"Thanks," I said.

I took a sip, the cold liquid soothing my nerves as I scanned the crowd, searching for familiar faces. Diana took a White Claw but only took a small sip. She was determined to stay sober.

Troy waved at us from across the yard.

Diana led me over. "Happy Birthday," Diana said and gave him a hug.

"Happy Birthday," I said with a nod. "Thanks for letting me attend your party."

Troy laughed. "Hell, from what I've heard, you two are joined at the hip these days. If I wanted Diana, I had to have you."

It wasn't exactly a friendly compliment, but I got it. "I'm glad to hang out with Diana's people," I said.

"You guys drink. Burgers will be done soon," Troy said. "I'll see you in a bit."

He walked away, leaving me and Diana alone. Soon she was pulled away. I wasn't dependent on her. This was my happy place. I knew how to blend in. There were familiar faces and new ones mixed in, but I kept my cool and engaged in conversation with everyone.

I mingled with the other guests, making small talk and laughing at their jokes as I tried to relax and enjoy the moment. And slowly but surely, I started to feel more at ease, the tension melting away with each passing minute.

As the night wore on, I switched to water, determined to pace myself and not let the alcohol get the best of me. I could do this. I could drink socially without getting drunk. I watched Diana laughing and chatting with her friends. A sense of pride washed over me. I'm doing it. I'm proving to her that I can be in this kind of environment and still be responsible.

After eating and spending some time with Diana, I found myself engaged in a one-on-one conversation with Troy, who was clearly a few drinks deep. He clapped me on the back with a drunken grin.

"Take care of Diana, man," he said, slurring his words. Despite his obvious drunkenness, his tone was surprisingly serious. "She's special. She deserves someone who'll treat her right."

I nodded. I knew how close Diana was to Troy but hearing him say it out loud brought it into sharp focus. "I know she's special," I said.

"And you," Troy said, swaying just a little. "You make her happy, Hudson. I can see it in the way she looks at you. She loves you, man. She really does. I kind of think you are a dick. I have to hate you. Diana loves you the way I wanted her to love me. She looks at you the way I wished she would look at me. You're lucky. Don't fuck it up. I don't know you, but I hope you deserve her."

I didn't know what to say to that. "I probably don't deserve her but that doesn't mean I'm not going to stop trying to deserve her."

But what made me more deserving of her love than Troy? What made me the one who got to have her?

"I'm going to get a drink," I said.

His words had hit hard. If he was right and she loved me, that was a lot of pressure. I needed to drown out the thoughts swirling around in my head.

"Me too," he said, holding up his empty bottle. "I'm the birthday boy. I need to get drunk."

"I think you might be drunk already." I laughed.

He looked puzzled. "I think you might be right. Are you drunk?"

"Nope, not yet," I said and shook my head.

Jessie was still hanging out by the ice chests. He eagerly handed me a beer. The beer went down way too easily. I reached for another one. I wanted to be drunk. I needed it. I was consumed by thoughts of Diana, by the realization that she might be in love with me.

"What are we going to do with this guy?" Troy asked, slapping a hand on my shoulder.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"He's talking about you taking sweet, little Diana away from Cold Springs," Jessie said.

"Why would I do that?" I asked.

"Because you can," Troy said. "You're rich, right? You can take her anywhere and she would let you."

"She likes it here," Jessie said. "But that doesn't mean she's not going to want you to take her on some pretty elaborate vacations."

I'm scared, terrified even, of what all of this meant for us, for our future together.

"I'm happy to take her wherever she wants to go." I shrugged.

Troy chuckled and smacked me on the back. "You better not fuck this up, man. Diana's a good egg, and you're a lucky bastard to have her. Treat her right, and you'll be golden."

The more I thought about what he said, the more uneasy I felt. Was I really good enough for Diana? Did I deserve someone as kind, as loving as her?

"Hey, come on, it's our turn to play beer pong!" Jessie exclaimed, pulling me away from my thoughts.

I reluctantly followed, but my mind was still spinning with Troy's words.

As the night went on, I found myself getting more and more intoxicated. I was trying to escape the reality that Troy had brought up—the pressure of being with Diana, the responsibility of making her happy, and the fear of losing her.

"Prepare to lose," I said, suppressing a burp.

Troy swayed, holding the ping-pong paddle in his hand. "I'm going to kick your ass."

I threw my head back and laughed. It was the most ridiculous threat. The guy could barely stand, let alone manage to connect the paddle to the ball. But that didn't stop me from doing my best to kick the birthday boy's ass.