64. HUNTER
64
“ S o, I take it’s going well?” Jensen doesn’t even try to hide his laughter that’s now echoing through the phone. My eyes are trained on the Candince Swanepoel poster on the wall, making a mental reminder that I need to give this room a makeover. Part of me feels nostalgic staying in my childhood bedroom, but the other part gets depressed being catapulted back in time.
“She hates me.”
“Well, she does have a good reason.”
“You’re not helping.” My legs are stretched out before me, my back pressed against the headboard.
“I know. But I’m having so much fun with this.”
“Shut up.” I bite my smile away. Hockey dickhead.
“So, what's the plan?” he questions when he’s done cackling.
I rub a hand over my face. “I don’t fucking know. Give her a few days to cool off and try again?” What else can I fucking do without her trying to rip my head off?
Jensen snorts, and I roll my eyes prematurely, knowing some kind of bullshit answer will come from his lips. “What are you, a fucking pussy? Come on, you’re Hunter Hansen. You don’t sit around and wait. Didn’t you say she has a boyfriend?”
“Yeah.”
“Can’t give him too much time to swoop in and save the day. ”
Not gonna lie, that’s definitely something I want to avoid. “What do you suggest?”
“Take what's yours.”
“I’ll only piss her off more.”
Another snort. “Like that ever stopped you.”
It didn’t, but that was my mistake. I walked into her world like a damn hurricane multiple times, never giving her any time to adjust. The amount of hot and cold moments is a fucking disgrace. I keep saying she deserves better; well, pushing her before she’s ready is part of that.
“I want to do it differently this time. You know, not screw up for once?”
“Oh, so the goal is to not screw up?” Sarcasm is dripping from his tone. “I wouldn’t know how to do that because if I have to believe Rae Stafford says, I keep, and I quote, ‘ screwing shit up without even trying .’”
And just like that, amusement flips from him to me. “PR girl giving you a hard time again?”
“You’d think I’m not even allowed to talk to women if I have to go off of her judgment.”
I cough out a laugh. “You don’t talk, Jensen. You balance on a fine line between talking and verbally cheating.”
“I’m a flirt, what can I say?” he says in a playful tone, when a beep slips in my ear.
“I’m getting another call. Talk later.” Without waiting for his reply, I switch the call, the screen lit up with my accountant’s name.
“Hello.”
“Good afternoon, Mr. Hansen. I got a call from the credit card company because, apparently, a large transaction was done last night. I want to verify with you this is correct.” I detect a little worry in the old man’s voice, spiking my own .
“What kind of transaction?” I realized last night my credit card was no longer in the pocket of my sweats, but I was too lazy to really search for it, figuring I’d have all day to do so. Now, I’m wondering if I should’ve blocked it right away.
“Fifty thousand dollars to the Braeden Animal Shelter.” My eyes feel like they are about to roll from their sockets as he continues. “I checked the company details, and it’s a non-profit organization in North Carolina.”
At first, I’m shocked, barely registering what he’s saying, but then it clicks.
“What organization was that again?”
“The Braeden Animal Shelter in North Carolina.”
“Fifty thousand dollars?” I blurt. “Jesus. Is there a comment with the transaction?”
“Yes, sir. It says: Hopefully this will make those old dogs feel more comfortable.”
A full laugh rumbles from the base of my chest, relief lifting the heavy feeling I’ve been carrying around since last night. That little brat.
“Fifty thousand dollars to the Braeden Animal Shelter, huh?”
“Yes sir. Is this correct?”
“Yeah, it’s correct.”
“Sir, are you sure I can approve the transaction?” the old man asks, still with a load of reluctance.
“Yes, it’s fine. Thank you for calling.” I hang up, contemplating how to react to this act of war from my girl. I want to be angry as fuck for spending fifty grand without telling me, but truth be told, I can’t find an ounce of rage inside of me. If anything, she just gave me the answer that I’ve been looking for while it was me and my insomnia the entire night. She thinks she pissed me off, but all she did was show me that she still cares.