Read Looking for You (Oh Captain, My Captain #1) for Free Online

a text from Hudson.
     
    Hudson: I need your address if I’m picking you up tomorrow.
     
    I didn’t think about that. Should I give him my address? I remember my aunt always told me to be cautious, but I don’t get a bad vibe from Hudson. I take a deep breath and text my address before I lose my nerve.
     
    Hudson: See you at noon?
    Me: Sounds perfect.
     
    My hands are shaking a little bit. Hudson is coming to my house. I look around. My house is small. It’s a single floor, with two bedrooms. I have a small front and backyard, but my favorite thing is my porch. I can sit on the porch and watch the world around me. Kids riding their bikes. Wives power-walking with their strollers. It’s therapeutic to watch.
    I head for the shower, and then to bed. I have a big day tomorrow.
     
    ~ ~ ~
     
    Just like our lunch date, my whole body is trembling. I put my frizzy hair in a ponytail and put a little bit of makeup on. I’m wearing a pair of running pants, a tank top, and a lightweight jacket. I slip my tennis shoes on, as there’s a knock on my door. He’s here. I stare at my door, like it’s the portal to the underworld. He knocks again, and I open the door.
    Hudson stands on the other side. He’s in basketball shorts, and a hoodie with a Viking helmet on it. I can’t help my eyes as they wander up and down his body.
    “Hey, Ellie.” His voice is smooth, and I bite down on my lip.
    “Hi, Hudson. Would you like to come in? I need to grab my pack in the kitchen.”
    He walks into my house. It makes me realize that no male has ever been in my house. I shut the door and head towards the kitchen. I pick up my backpack and finish putting supplies in it.
    “What’s that?” Hudson asks.
    “Oh, there are several bottles of water, granola bars, first-aid kit, emergency battery for the phone, a flashlight, rope, and a couple other odds and ends.” I shrug like it isn’t a big deal.
    “Wow, are you prepared for zombies too?”
    I don’t look at him, because I’m blushing. I like to be prepared for everything. I’ve done it all my life. I like to know that if something happens, I will be able to deal with.
    “I was joking, Ellie. I like that you’re ahead of the game.” He touches my shoulder, and I give him a small smile.
    “Are you ready?” I try to push my embarrassment away and think about the day ahead. He nods, and we head out. I follow Hudson to his truck and notice that the back of his hoodie has the number fourteen on it with his last name: KING on the top. He must be part of a company baseball team or something like that.
    He opens the door for me, and I climb into his truck. When he jumps in on his side, he asks where he is going, and I point to the left. He asks me about work, and I go into detail on how the Portland contract is taking over my life. Our company will not only be supplying to several doctors, but I’m working on adding a couple clinics too.
    “Wow, sounds like you’re going to be there more often than you thought.”
    “Yep. My boss told me I would be too. It’s fine, though. It’s not that long of a drive.”
    I listen to the music that is faintly playing, as I direct him to the trail at the end of town. It doesn’t take long to get there, because the town isn’t that big. Hudson parks the truck, and we head up the trail. Not that I would tell him, but the pepper spray is in my front pocket.  I don’t think that Hudson will harm me, but just to be safe.
    “Okay, are we running or hiking?” I turn to look at him just as we reach the beginning of the trail.
    “You run this?”
    I look down the trail. It’s narrow and rocky in some parts, but overall it’s easy.
    “Sure, why not? Are you not a runner?”
    “No, I mean, I run, but in a different fashion.”
    I look at him confused. “What?”
    “Nothing, never mind. How many miles do you run?”
    I shrug. “Maybe ten or twelve miles.”
    By the look on his face, I don’t think he could run that long.
    “How about we