Page 81 of With This Ring
“I haven’t spoken to him in a while. We’ve texted here and there, but he’s been busy at school with exams and grading senior projects. There was also a big field trip he was preparing for last week.”
“It’s obvious that he really likes you, Dakota.” Kayleigh tapped the corner of the desk. “Don’t you think you need to be honest with him instead of leading him on?”
The guilt that had followed her around all week pressed down on her, making her posture wilt even more. “Yes, I know I need to.” She rubbed the back of her head. “I’ve been staring at the ceiling at night trying to figure out how I’m going to fix my store and my heart. I’m losing my mind, Kay, and I don’t know what to do.”
“I thought Hud was your past and Parker was your future.”
“I thought so, too, but apparently I don’t know how to let go of the past.”
A knock sounded on the office door. Kayleigh skated over to open it, and her husband filled the doorframe. “Hey, Brice.”
He peeked past Kayleigh and eyed Dakota. “Parker’s been looking for you.”
“Oh. Thanks.” Dakota’s stomach pitched. She pushed herself up from the chair and squared her shoulders. It was time to face the truth. She’d been using Parker as a distraction when her heart was truly craving Hudson, and Parker deserved better.
Kayleigh touched her husband’s arm. “We’ll be out there in a sec, okay?”
“Sure.” Brice gave her a curious look, then backed away from the door.
Kayleigh closed the door again and wagged a finger at Dakota. “You need to be honest with him.”
“I know, I know, but this isn’t the place to do it. I’ll ask him to give me a ride home since I rode here with Skye tonight.”
“Good idea.” Kayleigh’s expression warmed. “My nana always says honesty is the best policy.”
Dakota nodded, but the best policy certainly wouldn’t be the easiest.
***
Bile rose in Hudson’s throat while he stood by the snack bar and watched Dakota and Parker talking near the rink. A pop song thundered through the speakers, and when Parker touched Dakota’s arm and leaned close to talk to her, Hudson’s nostrils flared. All week long he’d tried in vain to shove thoughts of Dakota from his mind, but she remained there, lingering at the edge.
He couldn’t stop reliving Sunday night, recalling how easily they’d joked and laughed together. How she’d teased him, elbowing him in the side while her eyes gleamed. He’d felt that old connection come alive again. She seemed disappointed when he talked about moving to the Middle East, which surprised him, and when they reminisced, she seemed to enjoy reliving those times as much as he did. But most shocking of all was how willing he’d been to talk about his parents and share his grief. He meant it when he said he’d never opened up to anyone like that before. He hadn’t even discussed those feelings with his sister or his aunt. But Dakota always seemed to unlock something deep in his heart and soul.
He’d longed to stay on her deck and talk all night, but he didn’t want to risk ruining the progress they’d made. Dakota had gone from shutting down and almost asking him to leave the last timehe’d been in her house to inviting him to stay and talk. Too much of a good thing could have ended badly.
When they’d said good night, he couldn’t stop himself from touching her hair and running his finger down her soft cheek. He’d somehow squelched the urge to kiss her, even though he had the overwhelming feeling that she’d wanted him to.
At the same time, he knew she was seeing someone. He’d hoped she’d tell him the relationship with Parker was over, but now as he stood in the rink, he could see it wasn’t. He could tell from their body language they were still together, and he realized he’d been kidding himself when he started to believe she might actually still care about him. If he confessed to her thathestill cared, what would stop her from rejecting him just as she had seven years ago? His heart couldn’t survive that again. He must have imagined their connection, and it was best that he just leave Dakota and the rest of this town in his rearview mirror when he took off for good.
But for some reason, that idea hurt him almost as much as the thought of leaving his family behind.
“What would you like, mister?”
Hudson swiveled back to face the snack bar, where a redheaded teenager with spiky hair, braces, and freckles stared at him.
“Two Cokes and two pretzels with cheese.”
“Sure thing.”
He paid the kid and toted the food over to where Gavin sat in what seemed to have become their usual booth every Friday night. Hudson would miss these weekend visits to the rink too.
“You look like you’re ready to punch someone,” Gavin said before breaking off a piece of his pretzel.
Hudson shrugged at that idea and sipped his Coke.
“What’s up?”
He turned toward where Dakota and Parker had been standing, but they were gone. Most likely they had joined the rest of the skaters on the rink. “Dakota is still seeing that guy.” He tore off a piece of a pretzel and dipped it in the cheese.