Six
GRIGGS
Hunter and I sit with the twins, enjoying the evening together as we have dinner. When Raith approaches us, Hunter springs from her seat and begins to clear the table. She practically runs away when Raith joins us. I can’t help myself; I watch her as far as possible before turning back to Raith.
He’s glaring at me. “What? We’re just catching up.”
“She’s my sister, man.” Raith continues to scowl at me.
I throw my hands in the air. “Okay! Hands off, I get it.”
“Do you?” Raith is locked and loaded with a dead look in his eyes. “Those three have been through hell; I don’t want them hurt again.”
“Are you saying I’d hurt them on purpose? What the fuck?” I glower at him.
“Don’t make me hurt you.” Raith's hand knots into a fist, and he taps the table. “You’re leaving soon, and she doesn’t deserve a one-night stand. You’re not teenagers anymore.”
“I don’t understand what you’re thinking, and I’m done with this conversation.” I stand, gathering the rest of the trash.
“The only thing you need to understand is that you stay away from Hunter.” Raith pushes off the table, standing across from me. “She doesn’t need the trouble, and those two kids deserve better.”
“So, that’s it. All these years, you finally are willing to admit you didn’t think I was good enough for Hunter.” I seethe at Raith, garnering stares from the rest of the partygoers.
“Don’t do this, not now.” Raith steps around the table. “I love you, man, but I will protect Hunter again.”
“How did you protect me then, Raith?” Hunter pushes by me, getting in Raith’s face.
Raith shakes his head. “We’ll talk about this later.”
“I think we need to discuss it now.” Hunter folds her arms across her body as her hands begin to tremble.
“He was leaving, Hunter. He had no intentions of telling you, and you would’ve waited on him while he was out screwing everything and anything.” Raith yells as Haven walks over to us.
“That’s enough, Raith.” Haven tugs on his arm. “Hunter’s her own woman; she can make decisions for herself.”
“Oh, yeah, she can.” Raith throws his hands toward the twins. “And we see how that works out!”
“I think it’s time for me to leave,” Hunter's words drop low and menacing, thinking no one else can hear her.
“Yeah, I think it is,” Raith mutters, surprised at his reaction.
Hunter whirls around, snatching Mia up, and taking Taylor by the hand. I rush to her side, picking Taylor up. “Let me help you.”
“He’s my brother, and this is a small town. I know what people have said about me, but the thing Raith can’t grasp is that I don’t care.” Hunter knocks a stray tear from her cheek.
I glance over my shoulder to see if Raith has decided to follow us; thankfully, he hasn’t, but I’m sure Haven’s topped him. “Is it a problem for me to help you?”
“Only for my brother and the rest of the single women in Cherry Grove.” Hunter opens her door, placing Mia in her car seat. “He acts as if I don’t know you’re not here to stay, and I don’t realize you’re not here for me either.”
My stomach knots as I think about what she must have gone through when I left the way I did. “I’d like to talk to you about that before I leave.”
“Why?” Hunter runs her hand over Taylor’s dirty little face as she takes him from my arms. “There’s no reason to feel like you need to give me an explanation now; it’s been years.”
“By the sound of it, I think it would do us good.”
Hunter buckles Taylor in and whips her head around. “You can come over once I get them bathed and in bed.”
“Alright.” I hesitate. “I won’t stay long.”
“I’ll text you once I have them settled.” Hunter closes the door, slowly walking around to the driver's side. “Just so you know, I don’t need closure. I’ve learned to live without and move on for myself.”
“Fair enough.” I hold her door open as she climbs in. “I’ll do this for me.”
“Talk in a few.” Hunter takes the door from me, closing it before pulling away. “Now, what am I going to tell Hunter?”
I climb onto my bike, firing it up as everything from the last few days replays in my mind. “I didn’t come here for this, but somehow I knew I wouldn’t get away without facing my past demons.”
The highway was lit up, so I decided to take the back way home. Driving the backroads has always been my favorite moonlight getaway; the light makes it a different world.
I pull into my driveway to see Hunter is just getting home, so I hurry over to give her a hand. “Hey. Let me help you get them inside.”
“I’m good,” she forces a smile.
“I know, but I’m going to help anyway,” I answer, jogging around to Taylor’s side. “Did you have trouble getting home?”
“No, why do you ask?” Hunter tilts her head, sending me into fits.
I give a half-shrug. “It took me longer because I took the backroad, and you’re just getting here.”
“I took it too; I like how the light plays off the ocean.” Hunter smiles brightly at me as we walk to her door.
Once inside, I follow her as she takes Mia to the bathroom. “What should I do with him?”
“Undress him and toss him in,” she arches one brow. “but don’t actually throw him.”
“Har de har, like I didn’t know that already.” I stick my tongue out at her.
“Ohhh, that’s a no-no.” Mia points at me as Hunter stifles her laughter.
Hunter shakes her finger toward me. “We don’t do that, Griggs.”
“You’re gonna get a timeout,” Taylor says while keeping his finger in his nose.
“Yeah, you’re gonna get a spanking.” Mia’s lips pucker into an adorable ‘O.’
My eyes flicker to Hunter’s, and her face flushes. “Whatever momma thinks is best.”
“Momma thinks everyone is talking too much,” she turns the tap on in the tub. “clothes off and in ya go.”
“Me too?” I fight my smile as my mouth quirks up on each side.
Hunter adds some bubbles to the water and puts Mia in the bath. “Not this time, just the little ones, and if memory serves, that wouldn’t include you.”
“You have an incredible memory.” I finish helping Taylor and place him beside his sister.
Hunter stands, brushing her hands off on her shorts. “I’ll be right back; I’m gonna grab their jammies.”
“Wha-what about them?” I motion toward the tub filled with splashing trouble.
“Y’all will be alright,” Hunter shrugs, “yell if you need me.”
Hunter is no sooner out the door than all hell breaks loose. Taylor’s swinging from the shower rod, and Mia’s eyeing me with total judgment. I think she’s making notes with washable crayon soap on the walls.
“I’m not sure why momma trusts you.” Mia crosses her arms over her chest, releasing a sigh.
“We’re old friends, and she knows I would never allow you to get hurt.” I wink, doing my best to charm her.
Mia points at Taylor. “He’s eating the soap.”
I whip my head around to find Taylor doing just that. “That’s not a good idea, little dude.”
“You haven’t done this before, have you?” Mia’s brows knit.
“No,” I try to play it off by looking around for a washcloth to rid Taylor’s mouth of soap. “but I think I’m doing okay.”
Mia’s face scrunches. “Not so much.”
“Honestly, you’re just like your momma. I feel like I’m talking to a Mini Hunter.” I watch as her smile grows wide.
She looks over at her brother, frowning at his actions. “I think momma dropped brother on his head.”
“I’m not sure your mom would want you to say things like that, Mia.” I pause. “But you might just be right.”
“I’m not sure, but I think he gets it from our dad.” Her frown deepens.
I struggle to keep Taylor busy without the soap being involved. “Do you get to see your dad much?”
“Nope, he’s a deadbeat.” Mia sighs, wiping the bubbles off her face.
“That’s what Uncle Raith says about him.”
“Uncle Raith loves you and Taylor; he means well.” I try to dodge the subject by putting shampoo on her hair. “Let’s get the sand out of your hair now.”
About the time I get Mia’s hair lathered up, Taylor makes a break for it. Mia squints through the foam. “Taylor’s trying to run.”
“Hold up, we still need to wash your hair.” I snag him around the waist and plop him back in the tub. “You’re as slippery as a rubber duck, buddy.”
“I have to say,” Hunter steps through the door and leans against it. “even my wildest dreams didn’t do this one justice.”
I peek up at her, grinning wildly. “You dreamed of having kids with me?”
“I fantasized about doing everything with you, Griggs.” She walks over, kneeling beside me. “This was the best one.”
I rinse the shampoo from Taylor’s hair, avoiding eye contact with Hunter. She could always tell what I was thinking by simply looking at me. “I think we’re about finished here.”
“Here’s a towel; I’ll grab Mia and meet you across the hall.” She winks at me as she pulls the plug on the tub. I hope that’s all that’s getting pulled out.
Ten minutes later, I helped Hunter wrestle the twins into bed. I’m not sure how Hunter does this on her own, she shouldn’t have to, but she never complains. We walk out into the hall, and I’m sure she’s ready for bed. By herself, that is.
“What’s next?” I glance at her. “I’ll help you with anything that needs to be done.”
“Why would you do that, Griggs?” Hunter’s lashes flutter shut.
“I don’t know what you mean? Because I want to help.”
She lifts her shoulders and lets them fall slowly. “It’s obvious you like me; maybe you’re doing it hoping I’ll sleep with you.”
“Is that an option?” I wink.
“You’ll never know unless you try.” Hunter spins, sashaying from the room.
I stumble, running after her. “Does that mean I have a chance?”
“What’s the problem, counselor?” Hunter grips my shirt in her hand, pulling me closer to her.
“There’s no problem, ma’am,” I reply, sliding mine around her waist and pressing her into me.
“You appear unprepared,” She leans in, brushing her lips against mine. “do you need more time?”
Our bodies create the perfect friction, rubbing against each other like a flame and kindling. “How’s my opening statement so far?”
“Not too shabby,” her lips part, giving me the access I’ve been dying for. I slip my tongue between her crimson lips, intertwining with hers in a slow dance of seduction and need. She rears back, exposing her neck, and I take my chance.
I nip and nibble my way from her jawline, down the front of the parting of her shirt. Hunter grinds into me, and I’m lost in her scent. Her moans stoke the fire burning us alive as her breast heaved, welcoming my kisses.
“How’s my case going so far?” Her flesh prickles with every touch of my lips.
“I’ll have a look at your brief and let you know.” She sinks her teeth into her bottom lip as she pushes away and saunters into her bedroom.
“Damn, I love being home.”