Hunter
I’m on cloud nine as I make my way back to my apartment. It was a good night. Better than good. It was fucking amazing.
Did I want to kiss him? Yes. But rushing this last time got me in a mess. And I’m not willing to fuck this up again.
The way home from Charlie’s place feels like floating.
I feel…young. Stupidly, ridiculously young. Like the version of me that existed before Robby, before the fire, before I learned how to carry guilt around as if it was my own personal armor. My chest is light. My steps feel bouncy. I’m smiling at nothing like an idiot, and I don’t even care.
This isn’t the same obsession I had before.
That was desperate, possessive, terrified of losing him.
This feels different. Warmer. Like I’m excited for whatever comes next, even if it’s slow.
Even if it’s just friendship for a while.
I’m happy just knowing he’s okay and that he let me sit across from him for two hours without running.
I make it three blocks before I can’t resist anymore.
I pull out my phone on the sidewalk, thumbs moving before my brain can tell me it’s too soon.
Me: I had a really good time tonight. I know we’re taking things slow, but I already can’t stop thinking about doing it again. Whenever you’re ready.
I hit send and immediately shove the phone back in my pocket like it might bite me. Too eager? Probably. But I don’t care. For once, the feeling doesn’t feel dangerous. It feels honest.
My phone buzzes almost immediately.
Charlie: I had a good time, too. Really good. Is tomorrow too soon?
I stop walking just to grin at the screen like a lovesick teenager. My chest feels too big for my body.
Me: Tomorrow. What time?
Charlie: What time are you free?
Me: All day.
Charlie: Sounds great.
Me: That’s not a time.
Charlie: Sure it is. You know where I live.
I laugh out loud on the empty sidewalk, the sound echoing off the buildings. God, I’ve missed this. And I’m not going to let it go this time.
Me: I’ll be there at noon. Bring coffee?
Charlie: Only if you bring the good kind. See you tomorrow, Hunter.
I stare at the last message for way too long, smiling like an idiot. Tomorrow. I get to see him again tomorrow.
I float back to my apartment. I’m on cloud nine. Things are looking up. My job back at the station has been cleared, Robby’s voice is nearly silent now, and I’m connecting with Charlie again.
When I get back to my apartment, I don’t reach for the bottle. It’s not even a thought. Instead, I make a cup of tea and sit at the table. My space is still sparse, but it’s not unkept and dirty like it was before. Just more proof of my healing.
My phone rings, and I glance over at the screen, seeing my sponsor’s name.
I answer with a small smile. “Hey, Clark.”
“Evening, kid,” Clark’s gravelly voice comes through, warm but no-nonsense as always. “How you holding up tonight?”
I lean back in the chair, cradling the mug. “Better than I expected, actually. Had dinner with Charlie.”
There’s a pause, then a low chuckle. “The artist? You finally called him?”
“Yeah. We kept it light. Talked. Flirted a little. He… he said yes to seeing me again tomorrow.”
Clark lets out a low whistle. “Look at you go. I’m happy for you. Proud too.”
I rub the back of my neck, a little embarrassed by the praise but appreciating it. He is old enough to be my dad, and maybe that’s why his words feel so meaningful. “It feels good. Scary, but good.”
“You’re doing good. Before you know it, you’ll be counting in years instead of days and months. Just keep showing up for yourself. That’s all it takes.”
I nod, even though he can’t see me. “I will. Thanks, Clark. For everything.”
“Anytime, kid. That’s what I’m here for. Now get some rest. You don’t want to show up with bags under your eyes tomorrow.”
I laugh softly. “True.”
“Talk to you soon.”
I hang up and set the phone down, still smiling. Clark’s been a rock these past months—tough when I needed him to be and encouraging when I was struggling. Having someone like that in my corner has made all the difference in my recovery.
I finish my tea, wash my mug, and head to bed. For once, sleep comes easy.
The next morning I’m up early, nerves and excitement buzzing under my skin.
I stop at the little café on the corner near his apartment and grab two coffees—black for me, the sweet vanilla latte I know Charlie likes.
The barista even draws a little heart on the side of his cup when I mention it’s for someone special. I smile the whole way to his building.
When I reach his door, I take a deep breath and knock.
Charlie opens it almost immediately.
He’s standing there in an oversized sweater and those ripped jeans that always make my brain short-circuit. His curls are messy, eyeliner fresh, and the small, shy smile on his face makes my chest feel too full.
“Hey,” he says softly.
“Hey.” I hold out his latte. “Brought the good kind.”
Before he can take it, Sofia appears like a furry missile, letting out a loud, demanding meow and immediately trying to climb my leg.
Charlie sighs dramatically. “Such a traitor, I swear…”
I laugh, hand the coffee off to Charlie, and crouch down. “There’s my favorite little demon.”
Sofia meows again, louder, and rubs her face aggressively against my knee. I scratch under her chin with both hands.
“Missed you, too, you know that?” I murmur. “Been thinking about you almost as much as your dad.”
She purrs like a broken motor and headbutts my hand, demanding more. I oblige, running my fingers along her back while she arches into the touch, clearly pleased with herself for interrupting.
Charlie watches us with a fond smile, leaning against the doorframe. “So you do like cats.”
I look up at him, still petting Sofia. “Only the ones connected to you.”
The words come out softer than I meant them to, but I don’t take them back. Charlie’s cheeks flush a pretty pink, and he bites his lower lip like he’s trying not to smile too wide.
“Come on in before she decides your jeans are a permanent climbing post,” he says, stepping aside.
I stand up and follow him inside. Sofia trails after me the whole way, purring loudly and occasionally bumping against my calf like she’s making sure I’m really here to stay.
The apartment smells like him—faint paint and that warm, clean scent that’s just Charlie. He sets the drinks on the counter while I look around. Everything is the same, yet it feels different. Safer. Like maybe I’m allowed to be here again.
Charlie leans against the counter, watching me with that quiet, searching look.
“So,” he says, a little shy but still teasing, “you really missed my demon cat, huh?”
I shrug, smiling as Sofia winds between my legs again. “She’s part of the package. Couldn’t miss one without missing the other.”
He ducks his head, smiling down at the floor for a second before looking back up at me.
“I’m glad you came,” he says quietly.
“Me too.”
We stand there for a beat, the silence soft instead of strained. Sofia meows again, clearly done being ignored, and leaps onto the counter to investigate the coffee cups.
Charlie laughs under his breath and scoops her up, cradling her against his chest. “Alright, you attention whore. You’ve had your moment.”
I watch the two of them, the easy way she settles in his arms, the way his fingers automatically find the spot behind her ears. It tugs at something deep in my chest.
“You want to sit?” he asks, nodding toward the couch.
“Yeah.”
We move to the living room. I take one end of the couch and Charlie settles on the other, Sofia still in his lap like a furry chaperone.
Sofia immediately starts kneading his thigh, purring like a motorboat. Charlie winces but doesn’t push her off.
“Demon,” he mutters fondly, then glances at me with a sly little smile. “She’s showing off for you. Usually she only does the aggressive biscuit-making when she wants attention from someone she likes.”
I raise an eyebrow. “So she likes me?”
“Apparently.” Charlie’s eyes sparkle with mischief as he looks me up and down. “Can’t blame her. You do fill out a shirt pretty well these days.”
Heat hits me square in the chest. I lean back against the cushions, letting my arm stretch along the back of the couch, fingers just barely brushing the shoulder of his sweater.
“Careful,” I murmur, voice low. “Keep complimenting me like that and I might start thinking you’re flirting with me, Charlie.”
He bites his lip, trying and failing to hide a grin. “Maybe I am. You gonna do something about it?”
The cheeky tone goes straight through me. I shift a little closer, still giving him space but letting my fingers graze his shoulder.
“Depends,” I say, meeting his eyes. “You want me to?”
Charlie’s gaze drops to my mouth for a second before flicking back up. “I’m still deciding. You’re very distracting when you look at me like that.”
“Like what?”
“Like you want to kiss me but you’re trying to be good.”
I let out a quiet laugh. “Guilty.”
Sofia chooses that moment to abandon Charlie’s lap and climb into mine instead, circling once before flopping down with a satisfied trill. Charlie shakes his head, amused.
“Traitor,” he tells her, but he’s smiling. He reaches over and scratches her head. “She’s not the only one who missed you, you know.”
The casual closeness and the quiet admission make my pulse kick up. I rest my hand on Sofia’s back, letting my fingers brush Charlie’s in the process.
“Good,” I say. “Because I missed both of you. A lot.”
He clears his throat and straightens a little, still petting Sofia, his eyes sparkling. “So… saving the kissing for after the date, what do you want to do today?”
“Date?” I tease, raising an eyebrow.
Charlie leans in just enough that I catch the faint scent of his shampoo. “If this isn’t a date, I’m going to have to ask you to leave because I will be pretty disappointed.”
The playful challenge in his voice does dangerous things to me. I stroke Sofia’s back slowly, letting my fingers graze his wrist again, on purpose this time.
“Well, I can’t have that,” I murmur, holding his gaze. “Guess it’s a date then.”
His smile turns brighter, a little shy but mostly pleased. “Good answer.”
I lean back against the couch, still running my hand along Sofia’s spine while she purrs like a jet engine in my lap. An idea hits me, and I grin.
“How do you feel about a field trip?” I ask. “The zoo. Specifically the snow leopards. I know how much you love them.”
Charlie’s eyes light up instantly, then he lets out a soft laugh, shaking his head. “The zoo again? You really are trying to recreate our first date, huh?”
I shrug, caught but not sorry. “What can I say? It worked pretty well the first time.”
He bites his lip, clearly fighting a bigger smile. “You’re such a sap.”
“Only for you,” I say easily, then catch myself and add, “and the snow leopards. Mostly the snow leopards.”
Charlie snorts. “Give me ten minutes to change into something zoo-appropriate. If I’m going to be emotionally compromised by big cats, I at least want to look cute doing it.”
“You look pretty good right now,” I tell him.
He glances down at himself, tugging on the hem of his oversized sweater. “This old thing? I could wear it as a dress.” Then he turns slightly, looking over his shoulder at me with a wicked little grin. “I want you to see my ass.”
My brain short-circuits for a second. I let my eyes drag down his body.
“Careful,” I murmur, voice dropping. “You keep saying things like that and I’m going to forget we’re supposed to be taking this slow.”
His grin turns positively evil. “Nothing wrong with foreplay for the foreplay.”
He disappears into the bathroom before I can come up with a reply that doesn’t sound desperate. I sit there petting Sofia, trying to get my pulse under control, while she gives me a very judgmental look like she knows exactly what I’m thinking.
When Charlie comes back out, he’s in a cropped black hoodie that shows a tempting strip of skin at his waist and those sinfully tight jeans that hug his ass like they were painted on. He does a little spin in the doorway, clearly showing off.
“Better?” he asks, all fake innocence.
I exhale sharply. “You’re trying to kill me.”
Charlie bites his lip, failing to hide how pleased he is with himself. “That’s the plan. Slow and torturous.
I stand up, eyes dragging over him again. “Dangerous game you’re playing.”
“I know.” He grabs his small crossbody bag and sketchbook, then saunters past me toward the door, deliberately brushing against my chest on the way. “Come on, big guy. Let’s go see some cats.”
Sofia meows loudly in protest as we leave, clearly offended we’re abandoning her. Charlie laughs and calls back, “Be good! No destroying the couch while I’m gone!”