69. CHARLOTTE
69
“ I have a confession to make,” Hunter says when we approach the ice cream shop. My eyebrows knit together, worry swirling in my stomach until I meet the mischief in his gaze.
“Okay…”
“It’s mine.” He comes to a halt in front of the shop, his back toward the building, his front fixed on me.
“What do you mean?”
He throws his thumb over his shoulder. “It’s mine.”
I blink, glancing inside where Moira is placing a few containers of fresh ice cream into the cooled display. At first, I’m not following, but when our gazes collide again, my lips slowly but surely form a big ‘O’.
“You bought the ice cream shop?” He nods, and I wonder why I’m still surprised. Not sure what his tactic is, but he is clearly on a mission to buy half the town. “What else did you buy?”
“The Burger Shack.”
The Bookstore, the Burger Shack, the bowling alley, the ice cream shop…
“Are you kidding me?” I gasp when it hits me that it’s all the places we used to come together. “Why?”
He steps into my space, grabbing my hips as he jerks me against his chest. His lips come awfully close as he peers down at me, my heart purring in delight.
“I didn’t know how hard you were going to make it for me. But I knew you’d never leave this place. So, I set down my roots by buying property all over town. This way, you had no choice but to talk to me at some point.”
“What about your career? The fights?”
He shrugs. “I’m not going back to LA. If they want to fight, I’ll do it right here. I’ll train here in North Carolina. I’m not leaving you again, Charlotte.”
Forget my heart purring. It’s screaming at me, as if she’s at a Taylor Swift concert.
“You’re crazy,” I muse, breathing the same air as we look into each other’s eyes.
“No, baby.” His breath feathers over my lips, the heat of his body messing with my brain. “ I’m in love .” My lips part, and for just a split second, I think he’s going to throw all the hesitation away and kiss me, but instead, he grips my neck, moves his lips to my forehead, pressing a scorching kiss on my skin.
“Come on, baby.” He tugs me with him as we enter the store, the warmth of his kiss still burning on my head.
I look at Hunter ordering for us with a smile that I can’t seem to wash off my face.
This all feels better than it should. In fact, when Hunter is around, I feel like me, and I haven’t felt like me in a long time. My mind keeps telling me to keep my distance, but I can’t say no to Hunter Hansen. As soon as he throws that boyish grin in the mix, and shoots me a wink—I’m gone.
A druggie hooked.
He’s looking handsome as fuck, wearing some dark jeans and a navy-blue t-shirt that hugs his broad shoulders, showing off his tattooed arms. His snapback is on his head, backwards, and I breathe in this woodsy cologne every chance I get.
“Clementine vanilla, and cookies and cream for my girl here.” He shoots me another wink, clearly oblivious to what it does to my heart, handing me my ice cream before he throws a ten on the counter. “Thanks, Moira!”
“My pleasure, Hunter!” The old lady giggles, with a spark in her eyes. This is probably the highlight of her day, and it’s cute he gives her some attention, making her feel special.
Because that’s who he is. Deep down, his cold, stubborn heart has so much love to give to the people around him. I think it’s why I fell in love with him in the first place. Because underneath all his rough, calloused exterior, he’s one of the good guys. He just never shows it unless you earn it.
He offers me his arm, and I softly graze the tattoos on his skin with one hand, then link my arm holding the cone with his as we start to walk down the pavement.
“Does Jason have a thing for Jules?” I think back to the banter that went down between the two of them, wondering if that might mean more.
“I honestly don’t know. Does Julie have a thing for Jason?”
Shaking my head, I bring my cone to my mouth, licking the cold sweetness. “Not that I’m aware of.”
“I don’t know,” he quips, a smile creasing his handsome face. “I thought I saw a few longing looks coming from Jules at the bar. And I know what those look like.”
“Oh, please, hold up, everyone! It’s Hunter Hansen, the master of longing looks,” I mock with a deep voice. “Julie sure as fuck doesn’t look at Jason like your groupies do.”
“I wasn’t talking about my groupies.”
“No, then who?”
“You.” His tone is one of triumph, making my jaw drop with an incredulous look.
“What? I don’t give you longing looks.”
He taps his cone on my nose, making me squeal, then presses me against the wall of the hardware store, his eyes roaming my face .
Abort, abort , my head yells at the same time my heart wants to break through my ribcage.
“I don’t know, Charls.” His breath fans my face, a tingly feeling developing between my legs. “You look pretty longing right now.” Oh, shit.
“Stop flirting with me,” I huff, dying to taste him as I try to ignore the ice cream on my nose, dripping onto my lips. When he’s on my shit list, his hot and cold behavior pisses me off something fierce, but fuck, when he’s this close, all up in my space, I never want him to leave. I want to wrap my arms around his tattooed chest and never let go. I want to show him all the love I’ve always had for him, even when he didn’t think he deserved it.
Fuck, I love him.
He chuckles, as the corner of his mouth curls up in that boyish grin that melts my walls quicker than I want them to.
“Never, babe.”
He leans in, and I suck in a breath, parting my lips while he slowly licks the ice cream from my nose. Heat flushes my neck in desire while I close my eyes as he migrates an inch down, his lips brushing mine, giving the smallest peck, and wiping away the clementine vanilla.
Slow.
Affectionate.
Sizzling.
And silently making me beg for more.
When he straightens his neck again, locking his gaze with mine, he bites his lip with a smug grin.
“Told you clementine vanilla is still my favorite flavor.”
Consequences be damned, I bring my cone to my face, looking up at him through my lashes, then part my lips, dragging my tongue seductively over my scoop. “I don’t know,” I say, my tone turning husky, “I’m really craving cookies. ”
His eyes darken as he swallows hard, and we stand like that for what seems to be like forever; the world blurring around us, and the sound of everyday traffic muffled to a minimum while our lips almost touch.
“What the fuck?!” A familiar voice pulls me from our bubble, and I turn my head, my heart stopping when I look at the glaring face of Ben.
Oh, no.
“Ben!” I glance at Hunter, who presses his tongue against his cheek with a scowl as he takes a step back, clearly not wanting to, the muscles in his arms tightening.
I give my boyfriend a tight smile as guilt washes over me. Oh my god, what have I done?
“Is this your alone time?” he roars.
“Hunter actually just tried to cheer me up by buying me ice cream. Ben, this is Hunter, my best friend. Hunt, this is Ben. My…” I can barely get the word out of my throat, because I know it’s a lie, but what does one call someone when you’re on a break anyway? “…boyfriend.” Hunter offers his hand, though not wholeheartedly, but Ben just glares at it, then turns his focus back to me.
“You always kiss your best friend?” he snarls. I hate the level of contempt that’s showered onto his features as he stares back at me with daggers in his eyes. But I know I deserve it. I know I’ve crossed a line I shouldn’t have, regardless of how I feel.
“No. Yes. No. I don’t know.” I shake my head, glancing from Ben to Hunter and back.
“Fuck this, Charlotte. Here I am, giving you space, thinking we’ll work it out. But really, you’re here kissing other guys.”
“Yo, that’s all me, man,” Hunter replies, hands up. “I overstepped. I apologize.”
Ben ignores Hunter, taking an angry step closer to me .
“You know you’re not the only one losing here, Charlotte .” His tone is condescending, bringing a shiver down my spine, and not in a good way. “This happened to both of us, yet you are the one being a selfish bitch about it. So much for me trying to do the right thing, huh?”
“Hey!” Hunter barks, giving Ben a nudge to get him out of my face. “Don’t talk to her like that.”
“I’ll talk to her however I like.”
“Guys,” I plead.
A smile that doesn’t match his eyes land on Hunter’s face, and he clenches his jaw, taking an ominous step forward. He softly moves me out of the way, getting into Ben’s face while throwing his ice cream to the side as he balls his hands into fists.
I know this look.
It’s the look that gets him into fighting mode, preparing him to rip someone’s head off. Preferably as fast as possible, and without mercy.
“Hunter,” I call out.
“You might wanna reconsider your words before I teach you just exactly how to talk to her, loser .”
“Hunter!” My hand lands on his chest, pushing him away from Ben as he keeps glaring at him. “Stop! Just stop!” He quickly glances at me, acknowledging my words, then I spin to look at Ben.
“I’m sorry, okay? I’m hurt and confused as fuck. Yes, Hunter overstepped there...” He huffs behind me. “But I’m as much to blame. Hunter and I didn’t leave things on good terms, and we’re trying to work it out.”
“By kissing?!” Ben blurts incredulously. “You said you needed some space to figure shit out. I thought you meant us! Not to rekindle an old flame with the guy who’s clearly not your best friend!”
Julie was wrong. I’m definitely a fucking harlot .
“I do.”
“You told me he was your best friend .”
“He is.” I sigh, pinching the bridge of my nose, reprimanding myself for the mess I’ve put myself in. “I just—I don’t know, okay?”
“You’re so full of shit, Charlotte. Didn’t pick you for a cheater.”
“I’m not!”
“Fine!” Ben snarls. “You pick then. Me or him.” The moment I realize what he’s saying, I gasp for air, shaking my head.
“She doesn’t have to do anything,” Hunter says over my head.
“Yes, she does! Because I’m not going to compete with some low-life scum.” Ben glares at Hunter from head to toe, and Hunter growls, taking a step forward. I keep my back in front of him, making sure I stay situated between the two men.
“Do you even know who I am?” Hunter grabs the back of my shirt, letting me know he’s got me.
“I don’t give a shit who you are. But you’re clearly more than best friends . Choose, Charlotte! Me or him.” I look at Ben, the frustration dripping from his face, and I can’t blame him.
He doesn’t deserve this. He’s been trying to make me happy for the last six months, doing everything in his power to support me in everything. But he’s been running a race he can never win. He’s competing for my heart, but my heart is not a prize that can be won. My heart is something I don’t control, no matter how hard I try. That has become more than clear since Hunter moved back home.
My eyes well up, and I shut them with a sigh, then take a deep breath. When I open them again, I look at a disappointed, still glaring Ben.
“I’m sorry, Ben. It’s me.” Internally, I roll my eyes at my own words, knowing how lame this sounds. “I think I should be by myself for a while.” I run a hand through my silky hair. “You and me? What we have been through? I didn’t want it. Our relationship went from casual and fun to serious and permanent in a very short time, and I wasn’t ready for it.”
I push out the words, scared I might chicken out while I keep staring at the hurt in his eyes.
“I’ve—I’ve—I have shit to work out. I need to figure out what I want.” I turn my body so I can look at both of them.
Hunter’s eyes darken in question, barely noticeable for anybody else but completely clear to me, as if he’s tapping into our unspoken connection, asking me if I’m okay.
“I need time. I need to think. I-I need to go.” I ignore Hunter’s gaze, as I give them both one last glance, then strut off while tears start to run down my face. Hunter calls out my name, but I keep walking, knowing I need to be alone right now.
What the fuck are you doing, Charlotte?
I’m not the kind of girl who messes around with two guys. I don’t do that. I’m an honest girl. It’s the one thing I’ve always been unapologetic about. Honesty and trust are of the highest on my value board, and don’t go kissing men who aren’t my boyfriend. But my throat turns sour, realizing I just came damn close, and my heart doesn’t even regret it.
“I have a hangover, Charlie. A bad one.” Julie’s groggy voice comes over the line.
“I think I just broke up with Ben.” My voice is etched with emotion, and I wipe away the tears with the back of my hand.
“So, the temporary ‘break’ turned into a permanent breakup?” Though she sounds exhausted, there’s no surprise audible in her tone when she continues after I grunt something in confirmation. “Because you’re in love with Hunter? ”
“What?!” I blurt incredulously, a bit angry and still sniffing. “Why don’t you even sound surprised about me breaking up with Ben?”
“Look, Charlie,” she says, sympathetic. “As much as I like Ben, you’re fooling yourself if you think he could ever make you happy.”
“What do you mean?” I know very well what she means, but up until now, I was too much of a coward.
“Charlie, you’ve always been in love with Hunter. Ben was a rebound. A rebound who almost got completely out of control, and to be honest, I’m sorry that happened to you. But I’m glad it did.”
I start sobbing again, that horrible morning still carved into my membrane, and she lets out a deep sigh.
“I’m sorry, Charlie. I know you’re hurt, but you gotta take the risk. Give Hunter a shot.”
“I’ve taken the risk. Twice! And it crushed me!” I shout, throwing up my hands in despair. A brick lays in my stomach, and my feet growing heavier with every step I take. “And last week, it crushed me again just thinking about him when he wasn’t even fucking there!”
Sometimes I wonder if he hurt me beyond repair, but then he sauntered into that bar, and I swear my heart somehow found the strength to glue parts back together without my permission. I try to keep my heart chained and behind bars, but the little bitch keeps growing stronger and stronger, and I don’t know how to make it fucking stop.
I can’t lose him again.
“And not being with him is still crushing you. Look, not to sound like a fucking fortune teller right now, but I think there’s a reason he returned that exact day. Life’s throwing you the bone you’ve been waiting for. Take it . ”
“I’m scared, Jules,” I croak out. My mind is scrambling, because at this point, I don’t even know what exactly I’m scared of anymore: being with him or being without him.
“I know, girl. But so is he. You can be scared together. He’s an asshole. But he’s always been your asshole.”