Eight
GRIGGS
FIVE MONTHS LATER….
Around midnight, I roll back into Cherry Grove, hoping to evade prying eyes and gossip circles. When I left, it was on the worst possible terms, and I’m not proud of it because it makes the second time I’ve done it.
I couldn’t help myself; there was no way I could sit idly by while that mother fucker wormed his way back into Hunter, Mia, and Taylor’s life. I don’t care if he is their father; he was shit at it and being a husband.
I’ve learned my lesson this time and won’t be getting into the middle of Hunter’s life again. I’m leaving as soon as I meet with the realtor tomorrow and grab a few things I want to keep from my parents.
“Life’s too complicated as is without the drama of Steve coming into my world, I was an idiot for thinking Hunter and I could make another go of it,” I grumble as I pull up the house. “In and out, no looking back.”
Yes, I can admit that I’m licking my wounds from the last time I was here. I fell hard and fast for Hunter again, but I won’t be wasting my time on us this go around.
That’s until I catch a glimpse of her walking past her window. I grab my bag from my truck and sprint toward my front door. If anyone asks, I’ll tell them I was hurrying to the bathroom and not running away from a woman.
“Griggs?” Hunter’s voice trembles when she says my name, and my body responds to her similarly. Hunter will forever own me; there’s no running from that fact.
I take a deep breath, allowing it to burn before releasing it. “Yeah, it’s me.”
“I didn’t know you were coming home.” Her words are softer now, closer even. I lean back, looking over the hedges to find her standing at the edge of the lawn.
“I hadn’t told anyone, just wanted to get in here and wrap things up.” I run my hand through my hair, yawning as I do. “Shew, it’s been a long day.”
Hunter wraps her arms around her body. “I’ll let you get inside; I just wanted to check and make sure no one was breaking in or something.”
“By yourself? At midnight? In the pitch black?” I roll my shoulders, releasing the tension. “Do you really think that was a good idea? You should’ve sent Steve.”
“Not that it’s your business, but Steve isn’t here and hasn’t been for a long time.” Hunter pops her knuckles. “Have a good night, Black.”
Hunter whirls around, and she sprints inside her house before I can get another word out. I punch my door like an even bigger idiot. “That went well, dumb ass.”
After talking to Hunter, I tossed and turned all night. As hard as I try, I can’t get her beautiful face out of my head. Hunter’s voice alone sends me over the edge, and I spend hours thinking of being deep inside her and imagining her moans all over again.
“Damn,” I sit up, fisting my hair. “I can’t do it. I have to talk to her and clear the air. We can’t leave what happened between us behind, or at least I can’t.”
If there’s one thing I know, I love her. We may never work out, but I can’t leave her again without telling her how much she means to me. Hunter’s the greatest love of my life, and I need to tell her.
“Whether you're ready or not, life has a way of working out. The seasons ebb and flow; some look the same for a while and suddenly change.” I stare out the window at her house.
“But with every new season, new paths come with bumps in the road and bright spots to lighten the load. I have to be faithful to my journey; and pray that the road rises to meet us.”
I leap from the bed, hatching a new plan to win Hunter back. “Love will always find a way, hopefully.”