CHAPTER 11
Crushing On You
Gabriela
A dull ache yanked at my muscles as I shuttled home from Vesta University, transported in my guard’s car like a prized possession being couriered from one destination to another.
After a long day of classes and a late afternoon meeting with my WIB team to ensure everything was set for our upcoming event, all I wanted was rest from my exhaustive day, from the paranoia that followed me around like a shadow, and from the bickering happening downstairs between my parents on the phone, which I steadfastly chose to flout.
The first thing on my to-do list was giving my Luna some kisses before hopping in the shower. I let the hot water rule my stiff body into relaxation and did some breathing exercises while inhaling my eucalyptus essential oil.
When I finished scarfing down a plate of Mamma’s pasta after my shower, I got an impromptu text from Hunter.
We hadn’t spoken since I rudely dashed out of the classroom Monday afternoon and though I wasn’t avoiding him, I’d felt a slight noose tightening around my throat the longer we went without communicating.
Not only because we had an assignment due next Monday that we needed to get started on ASAP, but because… I missed him.
It was the first time I felt too much in my head, unable to start a conversation with someone. There was something about Hunter that twisted my insides into knots. I’d never experienced anything like this with another individual.
When I read his text, a smile à la cat who ate the canary style blossomed over my face.
I bought a ticket to your mixer. —Hunter
I replied quickly.
Are you serious? —Gabby
You asked me to come. —Hunter
Are you reneging now? —Hunter
Don’t say yes, sweetheart. You’ll break my heart. —Hunter
Filled with surmounting giddiness, I fell back on my bed, resisting the urge to kick my feet with a squeal as I texted him back.
Wouldn’t dream of breaking your heart, pretty boy. —Gabby
I’m happy you bought a ticket. I can’t wait to see you —Gabby
Do you promise to hang with me so I don’t get lonely hiding in the corner? —Hunter
Yes, I promise. —Gabby
Good girl. —Hunter
I promise I won’t drink beer either. —Hunter
I almost dropped my phone on my face.
Oh my God. I couldn’t believe he’d actually said that to me.
Hunter wouldn’t drink beer, in case I decided to kiss him again. My heart nearly danced out of its ribcage from the gravitational pull his words had on me.
My goodness. I insisted on us being friends, but now I was beginning to feel like we would cross a line soon.
And enjoy it too.
My long silence prompted him to send me another text.
What are you doing right now? —Hunter
Freaking out and trying to convince myself that we’re a bad idea?
But goddammit, I’d like nothing more than to have Hunter’s taste in my mouth again, to marvel at his thick hair coursing through my fingers, to feel his muscular body under my roaming hands…
Biting the inside of my cheek, I messaged him back something very friendly.
Nothing. Just finished eating dinner. Now I’m debating whether I should continue watching Supernatural or try a new show. You? —Gabby
Icing my shoulder. —Hunter
What happened? Are you okay? —Gabby
Brutal game tonight, but at least the Panthers won. —Hunter
I’m sorry to hear about your shoulder —Gabby
Congratulations on winning the game!! How are you going to celebrate? —Gabby
With you. —Hunter
I choked on my saliva, shocked by his boldness but also loving it.
My biggest fan was supposed to come to my game today and mend my broken heart, but you failed to show up. So you owe me. —Hunter
I should really try to keep up with the university’s football schedule. I had no idea there was a game tonight.
I’m sorry, I didn’t realize that was today! How can I make it up to you? — Gabby
Please don’t say something dirty because I will literally match your freak. I’m hanging by a thread. Don’t test me, Hunter.
Take a walk with me tonight. —Hunter
My mind and libido were evidently not in consonance with each other. Instead of adding distance between us, I did the complete opposite by further integrating myself into his vicinity.
I would love to —Gabby
Good. I’ll come pick you up in half an hour? We can take a stroll and discuss the assignment. —Hunter
Sounds perfect! —Gabby
See you soon. —Hunter
Thirty minutes were more than enough to get ready. I searched through the dense cluster of black velvet hangers in my closet, muttering to myself. Piqued with curiosity, Luna padded over.
“I have nothing to wear, Luna!” I groaned, throwing a pile of outfit choices onto my bed.
My cat tilted her head, blinking her yellow eyes and silently reminding me that I had plenty of clothes.
“Yeah, yeah, I know,” I grumbled. “Don’t look at me with that judgy look.” I picked her up and placed her on my bed. She protested with a sharp meow. “C’mon, help me pick something before he gets here.”
With fall around the corner, I always found myself reaching for outfits that were gothic or dark academia inspired.
My colour palette occasionally deviated from its usual shades of black and red to include a bit more of earthy browns, moody greys, and shadowy greens.
Anna always drilled it into Layla’s and my noggins that the world was your runway and every day you should dress to impress.
Therefore, even if tonight was a casual stroll, I’d be lying if I said a wee part of me didn’t want to hear Hunter’s mellifluous voice complimenting me because I looked like a ten out of ten.
“I’m feeling black thigh-high socks, black faux crocodile skin loafers, grey plaid miniskirt, and…” I held up two tops against my chest, letting Luna decide. She evaluated both before pawing at the black, full-sleeved mockneck. “This one it is.” I kissed her head. “Thank you, baby.”
I got dressed in record time, put my hair in a loose braid, layered some dainty gold jewelry, sprayed my signature fragrance, and by the time I finished my makeup by swiping my red lipstick on, Luna was trying to climb me, sensing that I was about to leave soon.
“Do you want to come with us?” I asked her.
Luna meowed in agreement.
My cat and I both had separation anxiety. I couldn’t leave her alone for too long. Nor did she deserve to be subjected to Enzo and Lucia’s soap opera unfolding downstairs. That was cruel even by my standards.
“Okay.” I slung on my crossbody bag with my necessities—aka wallet, keys, gun, and a mass market paperback—and grabbed Luna’s black carrier tote, lifting her inside of it after putting on her harness.
“There you go.” Hunter’s text came through, letting me know he was outside.
“He’s here, Luna. Will you be good and behave tonight? ”
Luna rubbed her face against my chest, giving me that soft, innocent expression that never failed to melt my heart. She was grateful I was taking her along for the ride.
When my parents still lived under the same roof, heated arguments and explosions were the norm, something that unsettled both of us.
Therefore, I’d often strap Luna into a harness and sneak out of the house so we could walk to the nearby woods and escape the contemptuous environment at home.
My furry companion loved exploring new places with her four-beat gait, especially woodland where she could scavenge the area like a crow in search of carrion.
A handful of times, she’d brought me disturbing gifts in the form of dead birds or small mammals.
I’d tried to curb those tendencies, but she was a creature of habit, bound by her predatory nature.
“Mamma, I’m going out!” I called out as I descended the stairs. “I’ll be back late.”
“Where are you going?” she countered from the kitchen, irritation coalesced in her tone, obviously stemming from Papà’s goading.
They’d been on the phone for over an hour and I was pretty sure he’d been prying information about Neal.
And Mamma, who loved making Papà jealous, was more than happy to divulge.
“Um, on a walk with a…friend.”
“Which friend?”
Here goes nothing. “A boy from school.”
Mamma poked her head out into the hallway and waved a brownie-batter-coated spatula at me, her eyes wide and gleaming with excitement. The last time I mentioned anything about a boy was when I first started dating Franco ages ago. “What did you say—”
“Oscar will follow us. I’ll be safe. Don’t worry. Love you!” I shot her some air kisses and hurried out the front door before she could speed after me.
Like any typical mother, Mamma would want to be introduced to Hunter and when she saw him—every inch of his tall, muscular frame, expressive eyes, and long black hair—she’d tell me that I was a foolish girl for not locking him down pronto.
Hunter was already waiting for me by the passenger door of his steed. A thick palm coasted over the door handle, ready to open it when he saw me tear down the front steps like the hounds of hell were nipping at my feet.
He was devilishly handsome in an ethereal manner, cloaked in a collared dark coat that emphasized his allure, looking like a vampire lord on tenterhooks anticipating his long-awaited beloved.
The pallid sunlight flirted with the evening sky, casting blocks of shadows over his stature, leaving him half illuminated and half concealed in secrecy.
My feet truncated the distance separating us until I was able to catapult into him, throwing my arms around his broad shoulders in a loutish hug.
“Hi!” I gushed. “I’m so happy to see you!”
Hunter caught me effortlessly around the waist, carting me up his body so he could bury his face in my neck. He tightened his hold on me like he’d needed this just as much as me. My fragrance effused off my skin and melded with his in harmony.
Time could stop right here and I’d be content to have this as my final moment.
“Hi,” he breathed softly. “I’m so happy to see you.”
Luna, not liking being squished between us, voiced her displeasure with a sharp sound that had us rearing back.
Hunter winced and I remembered his tender shoulder.
I shouldn’t have held on to him so tight.
The apology on my tongue frittered away, though, as he glanced down at my cat with gentleness. “And I’m so happy to see you, Luna.”
Luna agreed, closing her eyes as he stroked his fingers under her chin. Seeing him give her affection turned me to putty.
“I hope you don’t mind that I brought her,” I commented. “Luna loves walks.”
“The more the merrier.” He opened my car door like a gentleman, smiling. “Shall we?”
I belatedly noticed that we unintentionally matched, seeming like a perfect, blended unit. We were both accoutred in shades of black and grey fabrics, alongside my Nebelung cat with her grey pelt.
“I brought you donuts, by the way,” Hunter informed as soon as he slipped into the driver’s seat and turned on the ignition, the Jaguar humming to life underneath us. “Chocolate-dipped. Your favourites.”
My face fell, guilt pelting me. “But I didn’t get you anything.”
He placed the familiar pink box from Le Petit Moulin in my lap. “Your company is gift enough, sweetheart.”
Oh, I was really swooning now.
“Though maybe you can save one donut for me.” His eyes twinkled as he slid on his seatbelt.
I pursed my lips jestingly. “Maybe I’ll save two for you.”
Hunter released a low, husky chuckle. “Deal.”
This week alone, I’d eaten more donuts than I had in the last season, but I’d never complain, considering the thoughtfulness behind his gesture.
Franco rarely got me anything that didn’t require begging. In fact, he used to go so far as making fun of the fact that I had a sweet tooth—claiming that it was childish—since he preferred savoury treats like a grown-up. Fucking prick.
Meanwhile, here was Hunter, indulging me without me having to ask him.
One boy from my past made me feel like ‘too much’ and one man from my present made me feel like it was an honour to be in my presence.
As Hunter drove us to our destination, I couldn’t stop staring at his profile.
Two realizations sank in.
Firstly, against my better judgement, I’d developed a crush on this man.
Secondly, despite my current circumstances, this was the most at peace I’d ever felt in my life.