Ellie slams the door and quietly, I say, “I’m looking for you.”
What the fuck am I going to do now?
Chapter Eighteen
Ellie
It’s been six days since that day on the porch. I haven’t talk to Lacey either. Hudson never texted or called me. On the other hand, Jeffrey did call. He told me that my job is there, but I couldn’t ever leave another event again.
Now, all I’ve done is work, come home, and cry myself to sleep. Even though, I slammed the door on Hudson, I miss him. He made me feel like a real person, and my heart is truly broken. I even watched some highlights from the games. I don’t understand what is going on, but according to the announcers, Hudson is doing great.
It’s Friday night, and I just want to sulk on my couch. I know in my head that I need to move on, but my heart won’t let me. I’m staring at the next Harry Potter DVD sitting on my coffee table. We were supposed to watch it last night, but we obviously didn’t. A knock on the door brings me back to reality.
I open it and almost stumble backwards. It’s the last person I ever expected.
“Are you going to stare at me or may I come in?” Whitney puts her hands on her hips.
I step to the side to let her in. “How did you find my house?” I ask quietly.
“Unlike you, I know how to use Google,” she smarts back to me.
“I know how to use Google. I didn’t think I had to use it for my boyfriend. I mean, ex-boyfriend.” I cross my arms to protect my heart. I don’t know why she’s here, but I don’t feel like talking about Hudson.
“Well, I’m here because I’m worried about my brother, and you’re the one person that can fix it.”
I shake my head. “I can’t fix anything.”
“Let me speak first.” She puts her hand up to stop me from talking. “We all told Hudson to tell you right away. We knew you would eventually find out. What he did was wrong and none of us blame you on that part.” I stare at her eyes as she continues. “However, it’s your fault he is in the depressive state that he is in right now.”
“Me? What did I do?” I’m shocked that she’s blaming me.
“Ellie, my brother loves you. I’ve never known my brother to love anyone besides us. You’re mad because he didn’t tell you about his career. But that isn’t all of Hudson. You saw the real Hudson. The one that only a few of us know exist. Now, you have the chance to see all of him.” I feel the tears burning my eyes. She pulls something from her pocket. “There is a big game tonight, and I want you to be my guest.” She hands me a ticket. On the front of it is Hudson. His face is full of determination and is fierce.
“I don’t want to go.” I try to hand her the ticket.
“This isn’t a debate. The game starts in a couple of hours. Traffic is heavy since it’s the playoffs. So you should leave soon.” She turns and leaves.
I stand there in my living room, holding the ticket. My heart is broken, but the words are sinking in. The same words that Hudson said. I mentally went back and forth on whether to go or not. I need a voice of reason, but I haven’t talked to her in a while.
“Oh my God, Ellie,” Lacey answers the phone.
“Hey,” I say quietly.
“Ellie, I’m so sorry. I should have told you right away. I hate that we aren’t talking.” She is talking so fast I can’t get a word in.
“Lacey, I need a huge favor?’
“Name it. Anything you want.”
“What do I wear to a hockey game?”
~
Whitney wasn’t lying about the traffic. It’s bumper to bumper all the way to the arena. I make my way through the ticket line, and I head in. I soak in everything. There are people everywhere, young, old, and in-between. I see so many wearing Hudson’s jersey, and it brings a small smile to my face. The fans must really love him.
I look up and see Hudson’s face hanging on numerous banners. He’s wearing that steel hard face. It isn’t the face I know. I know the soft, loving face. I look at my ticket, trying to find my seat. When I can’t find it, I ask the attendant.
“That’s a family ticket. You’re in the box. Go to the end, up the stairs, third door on the left.” I thank him and head in the direction he told me to go to.