“This is a big night for us. We need to be on our game,” Jeffrey hisses.
“I won’t let you down, Jeffrey,” I say quietly.
“We need something to drink.” Jeffrey heads off to the bar, ignoring my comment.
Melody comes over to me and pats my shoulder. She tells me how stunning I look, and I blush.
“My boyfriend bought it for me,” I say sheepishly.
“Well, he has impeccable taste that is for sure.” She winks at me.
Jeffrey comes back with three glasses of champagne. When he hands me mine, I realize that I’m holding real crystal. I’ve never drank out of anything so shiny and beautiful before.
“Alright, let’s get this ass kissing started.” Jeffrey turns and we head into the m
ain ballroom.
I’m sure my eyes are about to fall out of my head as I enter the room. There is wall to wall people. I can feel my chest tighten when seeing all of them. I look around and try to take in the room itself. It’s gold and shimmers in the lighting. The murals on the wall look old, like the early 1900’s. It’s breathtaking seeing the details of the work.
Jeffrey starts to work around the room. He’s completely different as he introduces me. He tells everyone what a great sales rep I am, and how attentive I am to the clients’ needs. I can barely get a word in, as he goes on and on about me. Bouncing from person to person is making me a little dizzy. I excuse myself from them to go grab some fresh air. Of course, the lobby is just as crowded. I look around trying to find a place that isn’t full of people. I see a hallway off to my right that doesn’t have anyone standing around, so I head that way.
As I walk down the hall a little bit, I take a few deep breaths to calm my nerves down. This is an important night and Jeffrey’s right, I need to be on my game. I stand here for a moment when I hear a bunch of laughing to my left. I look to see a door that is about halfway open. I can see that there are about five men standing in there just busting out laughing.
I peek in and stop. The one man with his back towards me is built almost like Hudson. He even has his shaggy hair. The other men around him are taller. Why is Hudson here? I mean, if it is him.
“Alright boys, let’s get going.” Hudson’s voice orders the men around him. I would know his voice anywhere. It is Hudson. The guys begin to shrug off their jackets. An older man on the left takes their jackets, and the men around Hudson begin to put on jerseys.
Including Hudson.
I can see the back it has the number fourteen on it with his last name across his shoulders. Why is he putting on a jersey? He turns, and I have confirmation that it’s him. His head is down as he looks at his phone. I can see him smile as he seems to be texting someone.
Instantly, my phone buzzes and I look down.
Hudson: I bet you’re stunning. I’m always thinking about you. See you tomorrow.
My heart jumps in my throat as I turn and run back the way I just came from. Something isn’t right. I try to put the pieces together as I walk back into the main ballroom. I’m about to Google Hudson’s name when Jeffrey comes up.
“Hey, where have you been? We have more people to talk to,” he hisses at me.
“Jeffrey,” I swallow down the lump of anxiety that is creeping up. He knows a lot about sports, maybe he could answer my question. “Who’s Hudson King?”
“He’s the captain of the Portland Vikings hockey team. Why? You want to meet him? He is supposed to be here tonight with some other members of the team.”
I’m about to tell him no when someone says Jeffrey’s name.
“William, how the hell are you?” Jeffrey shakes the man’s hand. “William, this is my top sales rep, Ellie Sullivan. Ellie, this is William Night. He is an assistant coach of the Portland Vikings. Ellie here was just asking me about Hudson.”
I notice that he is the older man from the room.
“Oh, these past few months he has been playing at the top of his game. If he keeps this up, we’re going to win it all, that’s for sure. You want to meet him?” He smiles at me.
Before I can even open my mouth, I hear him yell for Hudson. I think I’m going to faint. I don’t know how to handle this. William turns slightly and blocks me from seeing Hudson walking up to us.
“Hudson, you have a couple of fans who want to meet you. This is the CEO of the Omega Medical Supply Company, Jeffrey Martin.”
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Martin,” I hear Hudson say.
“And this lovely lady,” he turns slightly as I see the panic in Hudson’s chocolate brown eyes, “is his top sales rep, Ellie Sullivan.”