‘This limo, you mean?’ Hudson tapped the car’s roof, glad when Dexter managed a wry grin.
‘To me it’s a frigging palace.’
‘Know what you mean. Even when the pricks at school laughed at me, I didn’t care because that car had become my world. It protected me from living on the street.’
‘Too right.’
Hudson paused, giving Dexter time to make the connection and come up with the next logical question.
‘Did you live in your car long?’
Smart kid. Hudson had led Dexter to asking how he moved from his car into something more permanent and, luckily, he had just the answer.
‘No. This amazing social worker got me into emergency accommodation and then sorted out housing for me. I was so impressed by her that when I started working and saved enough money, I hired her to run a youth housing centre I fund.’
‘Wow. That’s cool.’
Hudson didn’t miss the hint of yearning in Dexter’s voice, so he continued. ‘If you ever get tired of the limo, I could get you into housing.’
Dexter scowled, immediately radiating distrust. ‘Why would you do that? You don’t even know me.’
‘My dad knows you and that’s enough for me. Besides, I’ve been where you are, remember? And while I initially felt ashamed I had to get some social worker’s help, Stella ultimately changed my life for the better.’
Thankfully, his response mollified Dexter, who nodded. ‘I guess it wouldn’t hurt to chat to her.’
‘Good idea. What’s your number? I’ll text you her contact details.’
Hudson had another reason for getting Dexter’s number. No way in hell he’d let this kid slip under the radar. If Dexter didn’t reach out to Stella, Hudson would give him a nudge again.
As Dexter rattled off his phone number and Hudson tapped it into his mobile, he asked, ‘How old are you?’
‘Just turned eighteen a few months ago. Moved out of home because my stepfather’s an abusive prick, ran into Rowan at a donut kiosk, we ended up talking and he got me a job here. I guess your dad is like Stella. If it wasn’t for him … I’d have no job, no money and no way to keep my car fuelled.’
The realisation of how much Rowan had done for this kid blew Hudson’s mind. His father’s generosity towards Dexter went some way to putting a dent in his hatred and resentment. But a small part of him wanted to rant at the injustice of his father helping some stranger when he hadn’t given a shit about his wife and son.
He texted Dexter Stella’s contact information and when the kid’s phone pinged, he looked at it eagerly and that gave Hudson hope he’d contact Stella sooner rather than later. He wanted to ask how soon Dexter would call but he’d learned the hard way that teens in need didn’t want to be pushed around by adults who thought they knew better.
‘Thanks for this,’ Dexter said, holding up his mobile. ‘I’ll call her soon.’
‘Good luck.’ Hudson held out his hand and Dexter shook it before calling out, ‘Thanks, Rowan. Gotta go.’
His father held up his hand but still had the phone pressed to his ear, which implied he was having housing issues and hadn’t been faking it.
As Dexter got in his car, he paused with the door open. ‘You’re lucky to have a good dad. I never did.’
Hudson didn’t correct him but as the kid drove away and Rowan was still on the phone, Hudson wondered if it was time to let down his guard a little more around his father.
CHAPTER
50
When Karly had got home after the dinner party at Summer’s a few nights ago, the granny flat had been in darkness. She didn’t know whether to be relieved or disappointed. It had been childish to taunt Hudson with the prospect of her dating. It made her look like a vengeful girlfriend trying to make an ex jealous when they hadn’t been in a relationship to begin with.
She knew why she’d done it. She’d been hoping to get a reaction out of him. Considering how furious he’d been when they parted in Melbourne, she’d expected him to rant at her for stringing him along by asking for extra time to consider his offer. Instead, he’d been nice to her and had driven all the way to Acacia Haven to present her with the opportunity of a lifetime.
She’d been impressed. She hadn’t slept well that night, increasingly excited by the prospect of buying into an agency in Melbourne. Keen for more information, she’d picked up the phone to call him several times before putting it down every time because she didn’t want to appear too eager.
He wasn’t forthcoming with any further information either and that frustrated her. They were in some weird stand-off to see who’d capitulate first. Or maybe that was her being childish again? He’d taken her at her word that she’d get back to him about the buy-in, so what did she expect, for him to badger her? Stupid.