Chapter 8
CHAPTER EIGHT
Riley
Hunter and I haven’t seen each other all week, and it’s breaking my heart. I thought he felt the same connection I did, but apparently not. Following Ashley’s advice, I talked with my dad; he told me he apologized to Hunter and said he was sorry for embarrassing me.
I spent my days by the pool hoping to run into him, but he wasn’t there. I’ve even gone to the Jacuzzi a few nights this week, and he’s not there either. I’m starting to go crazy thinking I did something wrong.
My dad’s hosting a Fourth of July party this Sunday, so he’s inviting his friends and some of his close clients. It’s his way of introducing me to everyone. It’s been a week since the dinner disaster; hopefully, the party will turn out better.
I’m sitting on my bed when I notice flames and smoke near the shoreline out of the corner of my eye.
I throw open my balcony doors, step outside, and see a small bonfire on the beach with several people gathered around it.
As I scan the crowd, I immediately spot Hunter.
His head is tipped back, and he’s laughing.
This man takes my breath away, and I feel I need to be close to him.
After grabbing a sweatshirt, I head down to the beach. As I approach, he smiles and strides over to meet me halfway.
“I don’t want to intrude; it’s just that I haven’t seen you all week.” When the words slip out, they sound needy.
“Riley, you’re not intruding. I see these guys every day,” he chuckles as he threads his fingers through mine. “Let me introduce you to everyone before we take a walk.”
“Hey, guys, this is Riley.” They all wave and say hi. He lets go of my hand as he points to each one. “This is Emma, Zoe, Alex, Connor, and Grayson.”
“It’s nice to meet all of you; I’m sorry for interrupting.” They’re all inviting me to join them when Hunter walks over to grab a blanket and a couple of waters from the cooler.
“We’re going for a walk; clean up if you decide to leave before we get back.” We both wave as we head down the beach. “I’m sorry we haven’t seen each other since Sunday, but I’ve been filling in for vacations, and it’s been a crazy week.”
“I thought maybe I did something wrong, so you were avoiding me.” My eyes sting with the threat of tears because old habits die hard.
Hunter stops walking and turns to look at me.
“Why do you always assume that you did something wrong?” he asks, as he gently wraps his warm hands around my waist, pulling me close.
I rest my cheek against his chest, feeling his strong hands stroke my back.
That’s when I lose it, and tears start sliding down my cheeks.
I feel so damn safe with him that I never want to let him go.
He spreads the blanket on the sand before sitting down and pulling me into his lap. His arms wrap around me as he gently tucks my head under his chin. I feel the rapid thumping of his heart beneath my cheek as I tuck my cold hands into my lap. If I could freeze one moment in time, this would be it.
“I don’t know much about your past, Riley, but I do know that your dad left when you were young, and that must have been devastating for you. If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the last few years, it’s that we can’t blame ourselves for every bad thing that happens in our lives.”
“Did something happen in your past that you blame yourself for?” The moment it slips out of my mouth, I feel his body stiffen beneath mine. I regret saying it immediately. “You don’t have to answer that. I’m sorry.”
“I blame myself because I’m still alive, while my family and everyone I love are gone. They were killed in a car crash coming home from a wedding. A tour bus hit them head-on when the driver had a heart attack.” His body shudders, and I know it’s not from the cold.
“You can’t blame yourself for something you had no control over.
You should never feel guilty because you’re alive and they’re not.
” Turning around, I straddle his hips as our eyes meet.
When I place my hands on his face, I see tears glistening in his eyes.
Remembering his tattoo of the beautiful laughing boy, my heart breaks for him. “Was Brady your brother?”
He nods. “He was only ten; he had his whole life ahead of him and in one second it was snatched away.” Hunter grabs my waist, sets me down on the blanket, then stands up and walks toward the water.
He looks up at the stars as he shoves his hands in his pockets.
I can’t even imagine what he might be feeling.
As I walk slowly around him, I see tears spilling down his cheeks.
I wrap my arms around his waist, and his strong arms circle around me, burying his face in my neck.
He’s the first to walk away as he bends down to pick up the blanket. When he tucks it under his arm, he grabs my hand as we walk back in silence. We’re almost home when he turns to me. “I was so happy that you came out to see me tonight, and I had to spoil it by losing my shit. I’m sorry.”
“You don’t have to apologize for being emotional; I’m the queen of feelings.” He smiles down at me, making me feel utterly at ease. I’m falling hard for this guy, and I hope I can keep my heart from getting broken again.
* * *
Hunter
It wasn’t my plan to tell her about my family on Friday night.
I hadn’t seen her all week, so I was hoping to spend more time kissing and touching her rather than talking and crying like a damn pussy.
After I had my meltdown, I was too depressed to stay around Riley, so I decided to go home and call it a night.
Saturday was a bust; I spent the day with Connor, and it wasn’t pretty. It’s tough to be around him now with all his extra baggage, especially Beth. He’s my best friend, so I told him I would support him no matter what decision he makes. After all, he’s been there for me since day one.
Riley invited me to the Fourth of July party today, but Scott never did. Was that intentional on his part, or did my invitation get lost in the mail? Yeah, right. Whatever; if he doesn’t want me there, he can ask me to leave. It won’t be the first time. Right?
When I get downstairs, the party is in full swing.
They have a bar set up by the pool, and the catering station is off to the side under a tent.
If I had to estimate the number of guests, I’d say there are at least one hundred.
Some of them have even wandered down to the beach.
I can see their blankets, chairs, and umbrellas set up.
Scanning the crowd, I try to catch a glimpse of Riley.
This has to be a bit overwhelming for her; it’s impossible to introduce her to all these people.
Then I see her—she’s breathtaking in a white strapless sundress that looks fantastic against her lightly tanned skin.
She has her hair pulled to the side with a yellow ribbon, and she wears lace-up sandals to match.
As I get closer to her, I notice a guy with his arm casually draped over her shoulder. He's now rubbing his hand up and down her arm. He appears to be a wealthy preppy guy wearing khaki pants and a blue polo shirt.
What the fuck!
Without hesitation, I turn around and head for the bar.
I’m on my second beer when I get the sense that someone’s watching me.
When I turn, I see Riley staring at me, a sad smile on her lips.
I raise the beer bottle toward her as I finish it with two long pulls, then slam it down on the bar as I walk away.
Walking around the house, I take the stairs two at a time. I just need the keys to my Jeep, and then I’m out of here. That must be why Scott didn’t invite me. He wants her to mingle with the rich guys her own age.
When I turn around, Riley is standing in the doorway.
“You’re not going anywhere until I explain,” she says, putting her little hands on my chest, shoving me back into the room, and slamming the door behind her.
“The guy’s name is Parker Montgomery, and my dad’s trying to set me up with him, but I invited you because I want you, not Parker.
” She stands there with her hands on her hips.
God, she’s so damn sexy when she’s angry.
Montgomery. Why does that name sound so familiar?
Grabbing her around the waist, I pull her closer. We’re nose to nose, and it takes all my self-control not to kiss her. “Your dad obviously doesn’t want us together, Riley. So he’s picked out some high-status guy to keep you busy this summer.”
She wraps her arms around my neck, tugging on my hair. Standing on her tiptoes, she licks my bottom lip and then nips it with her teeth, causing a reaction inside my shorts. “I want you to occupy me for the summer, not Parker or anyone else my dad wants to fix me up with.”
Crushing her body against mine, I explore her mouth with my tongue.
When her tongue flicks across my bottom lip, I suck it into my mouth.
She tastes so fucking good, like berries and lemons.
A moan escapes the back of her throat, sending me over the edge.
“Riley, we need to stop, or I’m going to throw you on my bed right now. ”
She looks at me with her lustful eyes. “What’s wrong with that?” She grabs my hand, trying to pull me down the hallway.
“We can’t do this now; there’s a party going on because of you! Scott’s probably looking for you right now, and believe me, it won’t be pretty if he finds you here with me. We’ll talk later, I promise.” She needs to go now!
“Can I come back up here later when the guests leave?” She looks at me with those big eyes, and my heart skips a beat.
“Why don’t you meet me at the beach after everyone leaves? Here, give me your phone, and I’ll add my number. Then you can text me, so I’ll have yours.”
Not long after my phone dings, I add her to my contacts. Then I lightly kiss her on the lips before watching her walk out the door.
I’m a dead man walking.