“No.” Preston shook his head back and forth. “I tried to go see Hudson’s truck, but they already crushed it, so all I could do was read the report. It wasn’t helpful.”
“I guess we aren’t going to have any answers unless Hudson remembers what really happened.” I sighed and turned towards the television.
* * *
One week later
“Can you help me up?” Hudson leaned forward on the bed. “I want to try sitting on the couch for a little bit.”
“Are you sure you’re ready for that.” I raised my eyebrows in concern as I walked over the assist him.
“The doctor said it would be fine, right?” He grimaced but pulled himself up to a sitting position on the edge of the bed.
“Yeah, but he also said you shouldn’t push yourself if you’re not ready. Everyone heals at a different pace.” My muscles strained as I supported his weight until he was on his feet.
“I’m just tired of this fucking bed.” Hudson held onto the wall as we walked. “If I get tired, I’ll lay down on the couch.”
“You’re going to be tired as soon as you have more pain medication.” I aimed him towards the couch once we walked into the living room.
“I’m going to try and skip it for now. It makes me so fucking drowsy.” He grimaced but managed to hobble to the couch with my help.
“There’s no reason for you to be in pain.” I held onto him until he was seated. “You had brain surgery.”
“Blah.” He shook his head slowly. “They just scraped some blood off it. It’s not that bad.”
“You must not realize how horrific that sounds to someone who didn’t go through it.” I shuddered and sat down next to him.
“I’m trying to be tough.” Hudson chuckled slightly. “I thought girls liked tough guys.”
“I’m getting you some pain medication.” I stood up immediately.
“No, please—just sit with me for a little while.” He reached out and caressed my arm. “I won’t stay out here long.”
“Okay.” I exhaled sharply as I slowly sat back down.
Hudson picked up the remote and turned on the television
, but the flickering seemed to bother him, so he quickly turned it off. We talked for several minutes, which mostly consisted of him thanking me for everything that I had done. I wasn’t sure if it was memory loss or the pain pills, but he had thanked me for the same thing almost every day, so all I could do was acknowledge the stuff he had already said. I heard his stomach rumble, so I went to make some lunch. I did my best to replicate the grilled cheese sandwiches that Preston had been making for us and laid out some stuff from the freezer, so I could cook beef stew for dinner. The grilled cheese wasn’t quite as good as the one Preston would have made, but Hudson didn’t seem to mind. He gobbled it up pretty quickly and chased it with a glass of milk.
“Have you talked to Melanie?” He looked over at me.
“No, not much.” I shook my head back and forth. “I’m sure she’s enjoying every second of honeymoon bliss right now—especially since her parents are back in Florida.”
“I can’t wait until I can have some more honeymoon bliss.” He chuckled and reached out to put his hand on my leg. “That’s the worst part of this whole thing—I want you, but I can’t do anything about it.”
“We’ll have plenty of time when you get better.” I smiled and put my hand on his. “I’m sure we’ll make up for all the lost time.”
“I’m going to be sure of it.” He nodded and smiled. “How are things with Preston? Are you okay having him around during my recovery?”
“Things are—okay.” I nodded. “I’m grateful to have his help.”
“He surprised me.” Hudson leaned against the cushion. “I took care of him when he got hurt, but I didn’t expect him to be the kind of guy that would return the favor.”
“Yeah, but he loves you.” I tilted my head to the side and shrugged.
“He loves you too.” Hudson’s lips came together in a thin line. “You see that, right?”
“The only thing I see is the man I love—who needs us both to get better.” I squeezed Hudson’s hand.