Chapter 19
Chapter Nineteen
Rochelle
He realized this was all a mistake.
Worse, he realized I’m a mistake.
After he grabbed me from the party, hauled me off to the car, and took off home without more than a few words, what else could I think?
The ocean comes into view as we stop at the light before turning down the highway, and I blink back tears as I try to steady my breathing and focus on the beautiful sight in front of me instead of the anxious beating of my heart.
“I’m sorry,” Hunter whispers, his hand gravitates towards mine and he stops me from worrying them together. “Rochelle, I’m so sorry.”
The light switches to green and he turns left.
Looking out the window to my right, the surf crashes against the sand and palm trees flash quickly before my eyes. I am too scared to ask, sorry for what, Hunter?
“You didn’t know what you were fully getting into,” he chuckles lightly.
“I am sorry Edward felt it necessary to give you the third degree. I’m sorry, I just…
” Hunter trails off and panic grabs hold of my heart from his half-finished sentence.
I know I could be reading more into this, but whatever he has to say sure doesn’t feel like the makings of a happily ever after.
“You deserve better, Angel,” he whispers. Silence stretches between us. Bitterly, he hits his fist against the steering wheel once we come to a stop in front of a red light. “You deserve so much better, damn it.”
“Better than what, Hunter?” I ask, finally finding my voice even though it’s shaking. “Better than you?” I yell, “Because I didn’t think that was an option I would have to make tonight!”
My new confidence is making its presence known and I couldn’t be happier.
He turns and looks at me confused. “What…” he begins to ask, but the car behind us honks alerting us to the fact that the light is green and has been for a while. Hunter takes off suddenly, causing us both to be jolted back from the force.
Stuttering, I say, “I mean, so what if I come from nothing? So what if I come from a different world altogether than the one you were given to grow up in, but that doesn’t make me any less of a person!”
His brow furrows, his jaw tightens, his hands clinch the steering wheel until his knuckles turn white.
“Why me, Hunter? Why’d you choose me? Because damn it!
” I shout, causing both of us to flinch because I hardly ever cuss.
“I was fine before you came along. I was fine before you sneaked your way into my life, stole my heart, and made me begin to feel… things I never in my whole life knew I could feel.”
Hunter takes a sharp right turn into his apartment complex, and punches the code into the gate. The gates open and we sit in silence as he makes his way through and proceeds to his parking spot.
I break the silence, “I was fine being me. I was okay never knowing how the way the other half lived. I didn’t want anything to do with it.
I didn’t need to be a part of it to make myself feel better about my poor upbringing.
I still don’t,” I yell, making him punch the parking brake harder than expected when he comes to a stop in his spot.
He doesn’t even look at me. Doesn’t even acknowledge what I’ve said. Hunter just opens the door and starts to round the hood to my side.
A lonely whimper escapes my lips. I will my chin to stop quivering as he comes to a stop at my door. He pauses for a moment, gathering himself, before flinging the door open and offering me his hand.
I look at it for a moment, debating if I even want to take it. When I don’t, he reaches inside and clasps his large palm around my small one and yanks me from the cab. I don’t fight him as he pulls me to stand, turns, locks the truck, and begins to tug me after him.
“That girl,” I continue, as he pulls me through the apartment complex to his unit.
“The one you met in the hair salon. You know, the one that will never be anything more than a ‘hair stylist.’ She was fine before you came along. She didn’t need you to save her.
She always had it in her to save herself. ”
We pass a few people making their way through the complex. Hunter gives them a polite nod, but quickly tugs on my hand to follow him up the steps to his place.
“I didn’t need a knight in shining armor, Hunter,” I yell once we have reached the landing.
“I didn’t need a savior to climb up my tower and rescue me like some silly fairy tale!
” I start to cry but try and hide it out of embarrassment.
He takes his key from his pocket and angrily shoves it in the lock.
“I still don’t!” I stomp my foot, causing him to finally look at me as he flings the door open.
He motions for me to walk through, but I stand my ground. “No!” I pout, as I wrap my arms around myself. “Not until you answer me! Why? Why’d you choose me, Hunter? Why!”
He steps toward me. His hands come up and tenderly grab both sides of my face. My body shakes, needing answers he isn’t giving. But my confidence is freeing, making me finally know what it feels like to be in control.
“Because,” he whispers, as his eyes soften.
“I fell in love with you the moment I laid eyes on you, Angel. Damn it, I don’t know how, but I did.
Call it crazy. Call it fate. But one look at you…
” His voice trails off as he takes a step closer.
“You complete me, more than I could ever have imagined. My world before ceased to exist and my life only began once you walked into it, Rochelle. Tell me you don’t feel the same, and I’ll walk away.
Leave you alone. But I’ll never stop loving you.
My heart wouldn’t let me. Not now. Not ever. ”
My breathing catches, my heart stops. Speechless, I stare at Hunter in disbelief.
“I’m sorry…” I begin to say but he shakes his head.
“No, I’m sorry you didn’t let me finish.
You deserve so much better than I could ever give.
But like a selfish bastard, I’m going to keep you to myself for as long as you let me and try and prove to you that I am worthy.
Worthy of our love, because God, Angel, it’s the only thing in this world worth living for, if you’ll let me. ”
I grab his hands and hold onto him tightly. My whole life, I never imagined anyone could love me the way Hunter does. Wholeheartedly. Unconditionally.
The way I love him in return. The way I loved him from the moment he walked into that salon and didn’t take no for an answer. Feeling foolish from my earlier outburst, I start to apologize.
“I’m sorry for ever doubting you,” I whisper, but he shakes his head.
His hands lower and grab me around my waist pulling me into his embrace.
His breath feathers across my lips, his heart beats against mine.
I hold my breath wishing time would stop and we could stay forever suspended in heaven, just like we are now.
“Never apologize to me, Angel,” he whispers. “You did nothing wrong. You stood your ground, and damn if it wasn’t sexy to watch it.”
I laugh. A sly smile graces his beautiful face before he winks at me and kisses the tip of my nose. Backing away, he gestures towards his door once more, and this time I walk forward willingly. Ready to embrace our future and the new confidence I found tonight.