Chapter 69

HUDSON

It was wild to be back in Cold Springs. I honestly never thought I would be coming back. I was pretty sure the town hated me. I walked out on their princess. I hurt Diana with my abrupt departure, and I had no illusions they didn't all know about it. Diana assured me I would be welcomed back. I wasn't sure about that, but I did owe an apology to a few people.

Walking into the familiar atmosphere of the pool hall brought back a flood of memories—both good and bad. I glanced around, taking in the sights and sounds of the place I had come to love during my time in Cold Springs.

"You're good," Diana said, squeezing my hand.

We were both here to apologize. She needed to talk to Troy, and I needed to talk to Jessie. Neither of us knew how it was going to go, but we agreed it needed to be done. If they decided they never wanted to talk to us again, that was their choice. But we had to clear our consciences by apologizing.

Jessie was already there, leaning against the bar with a cue stick in hand. He saw me with Diana and didn't look happy about it.

"Do you want me to talk to him with you?" Diana asked.

"No. You go find Troy. I need to do this on my own. Does he know?"

"About rehab?" she asked.

"Yeah."

"No." She shook her head. "I told Rachel, but I know she didn't tell anyone. I didn't think it was my place to tell anyone."

"Okay." I nodded.

I kissed the side of her head and walked over to confront Jessie. If he hit me with that stick, we were going to have a problem. I hoped he would give me a chance to explain before he jumped my shit for walking out on his sister.

"Hudson." He nodded.

"Jessie, can we talk?"

"Sure."

"I need to talk to you about something," I said.

"I figured as much," he said. "Go on."

I swallowed hard. "I'm sorry," I blurted out. "I'm sorry for bailing on her—and on you. When I left Cold Springs, I left more than just my girl behind. I left behind new friendships, too."

"It was fucked up," he said.

"I know. I wasn't in a good place."

"What does that mean?" he asked. "You looked fine to me."

It was embarrassing, but I needed to be honest if I wanted to be allowed back into his life. "I went to rehab."

He looked shocked. "What?"

I nodded. "I needed to get my shit together."

"Rehab?" he repeated, his voice barely above a whisper. "For what?"

"Alcohol," I said, lowering my gaze. "Everything. Partying. I was in a dark place, and I needed help. I love Diana but when I said I wasn't good enough for her, I was serious. I came to Cold Springs to try and fix myself. It didn't work."

There was a long pause, and I could sense him trying to process what I had just told him.

"I had no idea," he said.

"I got pretty good at hiding it, but it didn't make it go away. I left here and promptly landed in the hospital after a near-death experience. I went into rehab to try and get my shit together."

"Does Diana know?"

"Yes." I nodded. "My brother told her. She knew about my difficulties when I was here. I just don't think she understood the severity. I didn't understand the severity myself until I woke up in a hospital with a doctor telling me I was ten minutes from death."

"Holy shit," he said. "Dude, I'm sorry. I had no idea."

"It's not something I advertised." I shrugged.

"I respect the fact that you're here talking to me about it. I don't want to hold anything against you, but I am going to always look out for my sister. If I don't think you're treating her right, I'm going to say something."

I nodded. "I get that. I need to make amends, even if it takes a while for you to forgive me. If you need space or time, that's cool. But I do love Diana. I won't say I went to rehab for her, but she was certainly one of the main reasons I wanted to get better. I didn't want to keep going down the road I was on. Being with her was the best time of my life. I couldn't be with her the way I was. She made me a better man. I needed to be better for her."

Jessie studied me for a moment, then nodded. "Alright, I get it. You couldn't stay here, but you've come back to try and fix things. I'll watch you. If you ever slip, I'll be the first to say something."

I gave him a serious look. "I appreciate that. I'm not perfect, but I am trying to be the best version of myself. I need to make amends where I can. I started with Diana. No offense, but she's who really mattered."

"Hey, man, it's all good," he said, his tone reassuring. "We get it. Sometimes life throws us curveballs, and we just have to roll with the punches."

"Thanks," I said, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders.

Jessie grinned, slinging an arm around my shoulders. "Besides, the person you really need to watch out for is our dad."

My stomach dropped at his words. I knew he was right. Her dad was not going to be happy. "Yeah, I figured that. I figured I would start with you. If you knocked me on my ass, I would have a pretty good idea what it was going to be like talking to him."

He chuckled. "It's Dad that might try and knock you on your ass."

I glanced over and saw Diana and Troy talking. Jessie shook his head. "That's one hell of a mess."

"Troy is pretty pissed at her?" I asked.

He laughed. "Nope. I think he always had a thing for Abigail, but because he and Diana were so close, neither one of them acted on it."

Diana didn't want me to talk to her dad alone, but I thought that was the right thing to do. "Can you tell Diana I'll be back soon?" I asked.

"You're going to talk to my dad?"

"Yep." I nodded. "She doesn't need to know. She's nervous about me talking to him, but I have to own up to it. I can't be with Diana if he doesn't want me in her life."

"Good luck," he said.

"Is he at the club?"

"Yep." He nodded. "You're walking into the lion's den."

"Don't I know it." I sighed. "Will you let Diana know I'll meet her at her house later?"

"Of course."

I walked out of the pool hall while Diana was distracted with Troy. I imagined it would be a short conversation with her father. I wasn't expecting him to welcome me with open arms.

Walking into the country club, I felt a surge of nervous energy coursing through my veins. I knew what I had to do, but that didn't make it any easier. I scanned the room, searching for Richard. I finally spotted him in the lounge, engrossed in a lively discussion with some friends.

With a deep breath, I made my way over to him, my heart pounding in my chest. As soon as he caught sight of me, he excused himself from the conversation and motioned for me to join him at the bar.

"Hello, Richard," I said.

"Hudson."

Without missing a beat, he ordered two whiskeys, neat. The bartender quickly poured the drinks and put them on the bar in front of us.

"Soda water, please," I requested, my throat suddenly dry.

I could smell the whiskey. The temptation was strong. I wanted nothing more than to pick up the glass and take a drink.

The bartender brought the soda water soon after. Richard eyed me suspiciously when I picked up the glass. "I thought you left town," he said.

"I did. Now I'm back. I'd like to talk to you."

We moved to a quieter corner of the bar, where we could talk more privately. I took a sip of my soda water, gathering my thoughts before speaking.

"What's on your mind?" he asked.

I took a deep breath, steeling myself for some harsh words from Diana's father. "I want to apologize," I said. "For the way I left town—and for the way I treated Diana. I want you to know that was in the past. I screwed up, but I've changed. Rather, I'm changing for the better. I know what I need to do to be better. I love her. I'm willing to do anything to make it right between us."

Richard studied me for a long moment. "You love her," he said, the words soft but firm. "I can see that. But let me be clear—you're not just apologizing to me. You're apologizing to Diana, to her family, to everyone who was hurt by your actions. You're not just seeking my forgiveness, but hers as well."

"Yes, sir," I replied. "I understand. I'm ready to face whatever consequences come my way."

He took a sip of his whiskey and eyed me thoughtfully. "You seem sincere, Hudson, but actions speak louder than words. I want you to prove yourself to her. Show us that you've changed by living up to your promises. Demonstrate that you're willing to put in the work to earn our trust and respect."

"I will do everything in my power to make things right," I said, determination setting in my voice. "I give you my word."

"I want you to be honest with Diana," he continued. "I'm guessing you have some problems."

"I do." I nodded. "I am handling them. I got professional help."

"Hudson, you don't have to apologize to me," he said, his voice soft. "But I appreciate it."

"I care about Diana—a lot," I confessed. "I didn't act like it when I left town. I have a lot of regrets about that."

Richard's expression softened. He nodded in understanding. "I know you do, son," he said, his voice gentle. "I'm proud of you for owning up to your mistakes."

"I'm going to be honest with you, Richard," I said. "I had an issue. I went to rehab. I'm a work in progress. Diana understands my struggles."

He looked at his glass of whiskey. "You're a good man, Hudson," he said. "I appreciate your honesty. If you need any help, we'll all be here. I'm sorry I was so quick to judge you. I hope you can continue your recovery."

"I'm committed to it," I said.

"Good."

"I better get back to Diana," I said. "She didn't want me talking to you directly, but I felt like this was something we needed to handle."

He chuckled. "She was trying to protect you."

"Yes, she was." I grinned.

"She's a good woman," he said. "I put a lot of pressure on her to make the right choices. But she's strong and she'll forgive you if you really show her that you've changed."

"I promise, Richard," I said emphatically. "You won't regret it."

He looked at me thoughtfully for a moment. "Alright, Hudson," he finally said. "We'll see how it goes. No promises, but I'm willing to give you another chance."

With that, we finished our drinks, and I left the club.