CHAPTER 6 #3
The second I plopped on my bed, spread-eagle, Luna jumped on my stomach with a graceful leap.
I caressed between her ears and she purred.
I got her when I was twelve years old and she was a tiny, three-week-old kitten.
Papà found her by a dumpster. She’d die if left on her own, so he brought home the Nebelung kitty to me.
I took care of her like she was my baby and loved her with all my heart.
She’d been there for me through thick and thin.
Luna was my protector and I was hers. If we were ever separated from one another, we’d always find our way back to each other.
“Hi, girl,” I cooed. “We’ve had one helluva day, huh?
” She meowed in response. “I know, I know. Today scared you.” I couldn’t imagine the fear she must have felt when a stranger broke into our place and violated it.
Luna was hiding under the console table, trembling with fear when I entered the apartment.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t there. I’ll make it up to you. I promise.”
I was busy showering my Luna with kisses when my phone pinged with a notification. She pawed at me, unhappy that I stopped giving her attention, a little too similar to her mommy in that regard.
Flipping to my stomach, I belly-crawled on my bed to grab my discarded purse resting near the decorative pillows. Once I pulled out my phone, I realized it was a text from Hunter.
I’m still waiting… —Hunter
Smiling, I typed back a reply, my feet swinging back and forth in the air. Luna sidled next to me, pressing her head on my wrist, blinking at the screen with her yellow feline eyes.
For what? —Gabriela
For you to tell me if everything’s okay on your end and to send me your schedule. —Hunter
Oh, I completely forgot.
I’m feeling much better than this afternoon. Thank you for checking in! My dad’s looking into the situation now. Obviously this means I can’t go back to my apartment yet. I’ll have to stay here for the foreseeable future —Gabby
I attached a screenshot of my schedule.
Send me yours as well! —Gabby
Hunter read my message but didn’t respond right away. I put my phone down and decided to take a shower to wash away the day. When I emerged back into my room wearing a nightie, lathered in a nice layer of my vanilla lotion, and my hair blow-dried in its usual style, I felt more like myself.
As I settled back into my bed and turned on the TV, ready to end the night with a few episodes of Supernatural, I noticed another text from him.
I’m glad you’re with your family and in a safe space. I hope this situation gets resolved soon. Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help. —Hunter
There was an attachment under his text.
Here’s my schedule. —Hunter
We have Horror & Cult Classic Cinema together. I’ll be in the west side Monday morning. Would you like a ride to school? —Hunter
My eyes widened with glee. I could rarely get Anna or Layla to watch horror movies, so I added this elective knowing I’d be all alone.
The professor cancelled the last class due to a family emergency, which meant our first class of the semester would be this coming Monday. I was happy Hunter would be there too.
I can’t believe you’re in this class!! Do you actually enjoy horror movies or was this the only elective that worked with your schedule? —Gabby
Also, yes to the ride! —Gabby
Clearly adding distance between us wasn’t an option, considering how often I’d be seeing him moving forward. But as long as I didn’t act on the attraction, everything would be fine, right?
Love horror. It’s my favourite genre. —Hunter
I’ll pick you up at 10 a.m. Is that okay? —Hunter
Yes, that’s perfect. Thank you so much —Gabby
What did I say about the T-word, sweetheart? —Hunter
I giggled, picturing his stern, serious face. God, he was cute, and sweet, and handsome, and gentlemanly. The whole package, really.
Don’t forget my house plant and baked goods. —Hunter
Wouldn’t dream of it, pretty boy. —Gabby
You keep calling me pretty and I’m going to develop a complex. —Hunter
I’m surprised you don’t already have one, Mr. Star Quarterback. —Gabby
You keeping tabs on me? —Hunter
Yes. I’ve memorized all your stats, watched all your game highlights, and practically worship the ground you walk on. I’m your number one fan —Gabby
He could sense the sarcasm. I’d never watched a single game of football in my life.
Oh, yeah? What’s my jersey number? —Hunter
Whoops, caught me there. I went on social media to stalk Josh’s profile. I distinctly remembered him posting pictures of the football team in their uniforms two weeks ago. I could grab his jersey number from there.
But before I could do that, I got sidetracked by the series of pictures Josh posted Thursday afternoon that I must have missed.
The first shot was a few boys from the football team running down a hallway.
The second shot was him passing the ball to another player.
The third shot was a candid moment in the locker room, the boys conversing and laughing.
My mouth fell open when I zoomed in on Hunter, leaning against one of the lockers.
Mid-chuckle. Hair mussed. His bare chest glistening with sweat.
I finally got a good look at that snake tattoo, spanning from his left wrist to his shoulder, the reptile wrapped around his swollen muscles.
But the star of the show was the silver barbell glinting in his right nipple.
I was going to pass out.
Hunter Saint Warren had no reason to be this filthy hot.
How had this man flown under my radar for this long?
Another text popped up from him.
That’s what I thought, you little liar. —Hunter
Never thought I’d like being referred to as a little liar, but I could just imagine him saying two words in his deep voice. It only heightened his sexual appeal to me.
Once I got his jersey number, I typed a quick reply.
Nine!! —Gabby
Too late. I know you had to look it up. —Hunter
So much for being my biggest fan. My heart is broken. —Hunter
How do I mend it ? —Gabby
Come to my next game and wear my jersey. —Hunter
I blinked. Okay, so he had a bossy and demanding side.
I was totally here for it.
That’s it? —Gabby
For starters. It’ll take more than that to get back on my good side. —Hunter
Tell me what else I need to do. I’m willing to put in the work. —Gabby
Don’t worry. I’ll make you work hard for it. —Hunter
Oh my God.
He was flirting with me and I was enjoying every second of it.
Can’t wait —Gabby
Who knew you had such a polite side? A complete one-eighty from the heathen who was planning a man’s funeral last night. —Hunter
Hey! I’ll have you know I’m actually a very good girl. —Gabby
Oh, baby, I know how much of a good girl you can be. —Hunter
But I like your devilish side too. —Hunter
I threw my phone on the bed and covered my mouth, shocked. He did not just say that to me. Fuckity fucking fuck. And here I thought of keeping things between us platonic.
Luna’s head peeked up at my reaction, her eyes narrowed.
“Luna,” I whispered. “I’m in big, big, big trouble.”
Hunter had to stop flirting with me. I had to put an end to this.
Otherwise, we’d be fucking before the end of the semester.
And I didn’t want him to just be a notch in my belt, which was the usual case for all the men who entered my life.
Not to mention, mentally and emotionally, I wasn’t in the right headspace to start something—short-term or long-term—while my current predicament hung over my head like a sword.
Nor was it fair to start something with someone when you weren’t able to give them your one hundred percent.
Luna went back to licking her paw, deeming my crisis unimportant, and watching TV. Meanwhile, I chewed my lip, nervously reaching for my phone again.
Of course you do, considering you were so quick to indulge me —Gabby
Also, speaking of last night… —Gabby
Just want to make sure we’re cool? —Gabby
Why wouldn’t we be? —Hunter
Well, I hope the fact that we kissed (which was obviously a one-time thing) doesn’t make things weird in the future. —Gabby
Hunter read my message. He didn’t reply right away. One second turned into ten. Ten seconds turned into thirty. When it was nearing a minute, my insides roiled over. Should I have not said that? I wanted to establish a boundary, but now I was second-guessing myself.
Nothing’s weird. We’re good. —Hunter
Relief sank into my bones. Satisfied, I sent him another text.
Okay, good! It was just a kiss and it meant nothing because we’re friends, right? —Gabby
I could see the three dots indicating that Hunter was typing for quite some time.
Finally, my phone pinged again.
Exactly. —Hunter
Huh. I expected more than a one-word reply, but as long as we were on the same page, that was all that mattered.
I’m going to bed now, but just wanted to say that you didn’t deserve what happened to you today. If you find out more information about the situation, please let me know. I’d like to be there for you. —Hunter
As a friend, of course. —Hunter
He really was so perfect.
I will! ****** for everything. Good night, Hunter —Gabby
He understood that the ****** were a replacement for the thanks and he didn’t reprimand me.
Sweet dreams, Gabby. —Hunter
I put my phone down, the lull of sleep pulling at my body. I yawned and settled more comfortably under the covers. Luna curled against me and within minutes, I knocked out.
That night, I fell asleep with a smile on my face.
And I dreamt of Hunter for the first time in my life.