Chapter 25 #2
“Yes, I had some meetings today, one after the other, and I couldn’t come over. I wanted to text you, but… I don’t know, I wanted to hear your voice.”
Wait, what?
“Meetings?” I ask, surprised.
Hunter chuckles. “Yes, meetings, boring stuff. I’m gonna tell you about it, but first, are you okay? Why are you calling?”
“I’m… I-I don’t know, it’s silly,” I stutter, again ashamed to reach out to him for this.
If anything, I should be the one comforting him.
“Tell me,” Hunter commands softly.
“I think I just needed my thunder buddy,” I whisper, and at that moment, thunder hits again, making me yelp.
“Sloan?” Hunter asks, concerned.
“I’m fine, sorry. It’s just… it’s louder here in the van. It’s like just standing in the storm with a pot over your head, amplifying the sound of the rain and everything.”
“Do you want to come here? You can have your room back, or we can sleep on the couch and watch some movies.”
We? He would sleep on the couch for me?
“No, thank you. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have called, and I already feel better now that we have talked. I was just spiraling a bit with shit that fell on the van. I’m good now,” I reassure him, but I know it sounds forced.
There is some rustling on his side. “Are you sure?”
“I’m sure. I’ll let you sleep now. But thank you for picking up,” I whisper.
“Always, Sloan.”
“Goodnight,” I tell him, hanging up.
I put away my phone, grabbing the book I’ve read at least a hundred times from the floor.
Maybe I can bore myself to sleep.
The sounds of the storm outside continue to echo through the van, and I cringe every few minutes, the anxiety just beneath the surface refusing to subside. Maybe ten minutes later, over the relentless rain and thunder, I hear an engine sound, stopping right beside my van.
Scrambling to my feet, my heart pounding, I open the curtain just enough to peek outside.
Hunter’s truck is parked next to me, his silhouette barely visible in the dimly lit night as he makes his way toward my van through the rain.
My hands fumble as I unlock and open the door just in time to let a panting Hunter inside.
I quickly close and lock the door behind him.
He’s crouching because he’s so tall, and his eyes are wide, the panic evident.
Fuck.
“Hunter, what—” I start to ask, but he doesn’t answer. Instead, he pulls me into his chest, hugging me hard, his body trembling.
“Thunder buddies help each other through storms, so none of them have to be afraid,” he murmurs, echoing what I told him and Lio.
I nod, my face buried in his chest, and mumble, “Right.” I pull him closer, feeling his warmth and strength. “I’ve got you.”
His arms tighten around me, and he whispers, “I’ve got you too.” We stand there for a few moments, just breathing, until another thunderclap rings out, making us cringe. “Fuck, it does seem louder inside this sardine tin.”
“Told you. I get it if you wanna go back home, even though I appreciate you coming,” I tell him, leaning back to look up at him.
“I’ll stay, no matter what, even if I have to sleep on the floor,” he mutters, stroking my cheek.
“It’s fine. Nash came over for some sleepovers too. If you want to sleep in my bed, you can,” I tell him like it’s no big deal, although my heart is beating even faster at his question.
We’ve never shared a bed.
He leans in to kiss my forehead, whispering against it, “Then get in. I have to take off my prosthetic first.”
Reluctantly, I let go of him, crawling up and under the covers while he sits on the edge of the bed, pulling up his loose sleep pants before removing the prosthetic and placing it and the sleeve on the floor.
I make space under the covers for him, and he scoots up the bed, joining me as we both lay on our backs, looking up at the van’s roof. His hand moves under the cover until it finds mine, gripping it and lacing our fingers, making my stomach flutter.
After a few moments of silence, the rain tapping on the roof, and Hunter taking deep breaths, I ask, “What is it about those meetings you mentioned?”
He lets out a long breath. “It’s just the daily business for Jones and Sons, nothing special or interesting, but it just accumulated because I was away the two days before.”
“For getting my heater and keeping me company while I fixed the van?” I ask and hear the pillow rustle when he nods. “But I thought you weren’t doing the operative stuff? I thought that was North’s job as the boss?”
Hunter turns to look at me, so I turn to him. “North’s not the boss anymore.”
The information hits me like a punch in the gut, and my eyes almost pop out of my head. “What?”
“He stepped back as CEO, and I took over.” Hunter drops that bomb with such calmness it’s frightening.
“North, Satan, stepped down from being the boss?” I still can’t believe what he just said. “And you stepped in?”
Why would they do that?
Hunter chuckles. “You think I can’t handle the job?”
I shake my head and sit up to face him, slightly leaning over his chest. “Of course not, I know you can. It’s just… why would he do that? He loves bossing people around.”
“He loves his son more.” Hunter smiles, and once more, it hits me like a ton of bricks.
“He stepped back to look after Lio?” If Hunter is now CEO, someone would have to care for him.
That’s why I saw them grocery shopping earlier.
Hunter reaches up to push a strand of hair behind my ear that has fallen. “You opened his eyes on so many levels. He knows he messed up, and he’s trying to be better. You were right. His priorities weren’t where they needed to be. They are now.”
I don’t even know what to say to that.
I did that?
He did that for Lio? For me?
“What about you?” I ask, trying to sidestep all the feelings that just bubbled up inside me.
“Oh, my priorities are where they need to be now too.” He smirks, making the prickling sensation spread inside me once more.
“No, I mean, do you even want the job?” I furrow my brow. I can’t imagine Hunter dressing up in a suit every day, telling his secretary to bring him coffee.
“Do you think I would let North push me around and make such big decisions for our lives without having a say in it?” Hunter tilts his head curiously.
Definitely not.
North can push anyone around except him.
“No,” I whisper.
“I always admired my dad when he was CEO. I watched him lead so many people with kindness and by example. I love the company. It’s our legacy. I don’t think I can or want to ever step foot back on a boat that’s watered, but what I can do is be a good captain for the company.”
I nod, gazing down at him. He’s not a hard boss like North, but he is a leader.
Maybe that’s just as suitable for a CEO.
There is another lightning flash and a clap of thunder seconds later. I press my eyes shut, and Hunter puts his arms around me, pulling me closer and squeezing me to his chest. The fast but steady beat of his heart calms me, and I let myself relax on him while he starts to stroke my back.
“What do you want to do?” he asks me softly, not stopping his comforting movements.
“What do you mean?” I ask back, tone soft, enjoying the fuck out of being in his arms again, him soothing me like only he can.
“Like, when you grow up?” He chuckles softly. “Do you want to work as a waitress? Or a boat mechanic? I know the new CEO of your old workplace. I think he would give you your job back in a second if you wanted it.”
I laugh softly. “I thought you had your mechanic back?”
“You heard that, hmm? Well, we do, but it’s always good to have two.” He shrugs. “Just say the words.”
Hope bubbles up inside me, but at the same time, hesitation.
“Can I think about it?” I ask in a whisper.
“Of course, but know if you want to come back, the answer is always yes,” Hunter tells me, kissing my forehead.
I guess he’s not only talking about the job.
“When I grow up, I want to work as a car mechanic,” I say softly, leaning back again so I can draw circles with my fingers on his chest over the shirt. “I’d want to have my shop and employees, and decide which jobs I want to do. Something like that.”
“So, a CEO yourself,” he notes, smirking at me, but I shake my head.
“I don’t want to do the paperwork and stuff. I just want to work on cars. The feeling I got from fixing up Van-essa…” this makes him chuckle slightly, “… that’s what I want to do. Bring life back to cars that are lost causes, fix what’s broken.”
Hunter’s hand rubs up and down my back until the seam of my shirt gets caught in his fingers, and his palm touches bare skin. He freezes, and our eyes lock. His palm burns into my back, but I love the feeling.
“Sorry,” he whispers.
“Don’t be,” I whisper back. “Your hand is warm.” Encouraged by my words, he lets his hand wander under my shirt and strokes my bare back, making me shudder. “That’s so nice.”
He pulls me on top of him, his right hand resuming its strokes on my back while his left hand glides into my hair, slightly massaging my scalp.
“Oh my God,” I groan out, my hands on his shoulders gripping him.
I feel his chest vibrating with a chuckle underneath me. “You’re like a cat. I guess if you could, you’d be purring.”
“Sure thing, I could stay like this forever,” I share thoughtlessly.
He’s stroking me into Nirvana.
“Then stay forever,” he whispers in my ear. “At least it will give me enough time to make it up to you.”
I lean back and let my legs fall to his sides, straddling his waist, my palms on his chest now, and his hands come to hold my waist. His gaze is searching like he wants to look in my head to see what I’m feeling.
If only I knew myself.
“I know I’m being difficult. Tally and Mac always tell me that you guys are trying, and I can see that too. It’s just…” I trail off, my tone weak.
“You’re hurt, I know. I know, Sloan. And I’m sorry.
I don’t want you to forgive me that easily because I haven’t earned it yet.
You gave me your trust, and I broke it. Now, I have to earn it back, and I know it takes time.
Your feelings are valid. All I’m asking you to do is give me a chance to make it right.
Let me make it right. Let me earn it. Let me show up every day and show you how much you mean to me. How sorry I am. That’s all I’m asking.”
One of his hands leaves my waist and comes up to cup my cheek, stroking it with his thumb. “The fact you accepted the heater and parts from me? That you called me when you were afraid? That I’m allowed to be here?” He pulls me down to kiss my cheek. “That I’m allowed to touch you? Hold you?”
My heart is warm, and the weight on my shoulders that was crushing me all day is getting lighter by the second. His soft tone, his deep voice, his warmth, his caresses.
Him.
He’s overwhelming me with his words and touches.
“It’s a fucking privilege, and I know it. I’m so thankful—” He’s still talking when I lean in and kiss him. Freezing against my lips, he pulls away slightly. “Shortcake, are you—”
“Kiss me,” I interrupt, and I don’t have to tell him twice.
He grabs my face with his hands, bringing my lips back to his.
The kiss starts languidly but turns into something more passionate and consuming, as if the world outside the van has disappeared. At this moment, all that matters is the taste of his lips on mine, the softness of his touch, and the way he makes me feel.
Whole.
I can’t help but think that he’s still the best kisser I’ve ever known. No matter what has happened or the hurt I’m feeling, being with him feels safe, like coming home. The storm outside and the sounds of thunder and rain fade into the background.
His hand strokes my waist, pulling me closer to him as if he can’t get enough.
I can’t either.
He groans into the kiss, and I respond with a soft hum.
My heart is beating out of my chest, and I can feel his heart racing just as fast. But when I’m about to let my hand wander under his shirt, he stops me gently, bringing my hand up to his chest again.
He breaks the kiss and maneuvers me to his side, still holding me close, stroking my cheek once more.
“I haven’t earned this yet, Sloan,” he whispers, his voice filled with longing.
Fuck.
I would have let him fuck me just now.
What was I even thinking?
I wasn’t thinking. I was feeling.
Feeling home.
“I’m sorry,” I agree, my voice hoarse. The desire in Hunter’s eyes is replaced by understanding as he kisses the top of my head and cradles me against his chest.
“I’m gonna earn it. Promise.”