CHAPTER 20
Making Amends
Gabriela
When I woke up, my head was throbbing and my eyes were red from crying.
A horrible sensation enveloped me that not even a hot shower, caffeine, and a thick layer of makeup could fix.
I resigned to my fate: skipping the entirety of my classes and spending the day curled on the couch with Luna, wallowing in my misery.
My furry companion knew something was wrong.
She gave me worried glances and settled herself on my chest, hugging and purring softly.
It was mental torture, spending hours self-reflecting and replaying yesterday’s scene from the hallway.
The stark hurt on Hunter’s face, the stoic demeanour that melted the second I confessed to adoring him, the pure yearning when he held me in his arms, and the resolute voice when he told me that he was done.
I kept going over our interaction, dissecting where I went wrong and essaying on how I could have prevented the catastrophe so we ended up with a different outcome.
Yet I knew the only way we’d have a different outcome was if I wanted the same thing as him. To be together. To be his. To let him be mine.
A painful chasm widened inside my chest. Sitting down and ruminating alone wasn’t doing me any good.
Therefore, I gathered the courage to finally text the girls about the disaster that occurred last night.
They were sorry to hear it and wanted to help me navigate through my inner turmoil.
Before I knew it, our conversation quickly turned into a makeshift therapy session.
What is your heart telling you right now? —Layla
That I can’t lose him. —Gabby
Even though I feel like I already did. —Gabby
And I hate myself for hurting him. It was never my intention. He means so much to me. —Gabby
Do you want to be with him? And not just as ‘friends’? —Anna
Be honest with yourself, Gabby. —Anna
I closed my eyes and put my phone down.
The writing had always been on the wall and I was purposely not wanting to see it because the possibility of my past catching up to me and all my shortcomings was too strong.
To Hunter, I was perfect. Selfishly, I wanted to remain that way in his eyes, not wanting to taint the image with my romantic relationship flaws.
I thought that staying friends could keep us in the safe zone, but we’d long since left that territory.
It was evident that after last night’s exchange, I had nothing left to lose.
And if I was being honest with myself, then yes, deep down in my soul, there was a part of me that craved to be more than friends with Hunter.
Sure, I had issues and fears about falling in love. Sure, my ex had hurt me in bad ways. But none of that should stop me from taking another chance on myself, on Hunter, and on the possibility of us, right?
For so long, I kept a chain locked around my heart, never allowing anyone access to the real me. All because I was afraid of getting burned again.
But what was life without a little bit of risk?
If there was anyone who would take good care of me, it was Hunter.
In his own ways, I realized that Hunter, over the last few weeks, had been showing me with his actions and words that he was capable of treating me the way I deserved.
Whether it was driving me to and back from school.
Whether it was taking me on a long walk to get a reprieve from my situation.
Whether it was taking an interest in my hobbies.
And everything else in between. He was always there for me.
I never stood a chance against this sweet, beautiful man with a heart of gold.
The night on the terrace was the catalyst that pushed everything into place.
Our meeting was no coincidence. Fate had been conspiring, orchestrating its magic from the beginning by throwing us on the same path.
Now I needed to trust what the universe had in store for Hunter and me and right all my wrongs by undoing the unintentional hurt I caused him.
Mamma said good communication was the foundation of any strong relationship, so I was going to be brave and talk to him again. Even if it was the last thing I did.
Because I refused to lose him without a fight.
The time alone with my thoughts awarded me more mental clarity and after what felt like an eternity in a quandary, what I needed to do became abundantly clear.
Picking my phone up after another hour of self-reflection had passed, I sent my reply to the girls.
Yes, I want to be with him as more than friends. —Gabby
The truth is Hunter makes me happier than ever and I can’t keep letting the past hold me back, right? I know in my heart that Hunter will never hurt me and only have my best interest in mind. —Gabby
It was liberating to admit it.
I could practically feel both my best friends’ pride beaming from my phone’s screen.
Atta girl! —Anna
Now we’re talking! —Layla
We can all agree he’s the furthest thing from that asshole Franco. Hunter’s a safe bet, Gabby. —Layla
I have a feeling that he’ll give you everything you deserve. Take a chance on him, Gabby. You won’t regret it. —Anna
I was so glad I had this conversation with Anna and Layla.
I’d just needed to confide in them and make more sense of my thoughts.
The verdict was that Hunter was a walking-talking green flag and I would be foolish to let him slip through my fingers.
Especially when I harboured such deep feelings for him, no matter how hard I tried to fight those emotions.
I owed it to both of us to give us this chance. We would be good for each other. Now I just had to tell Hunter that I was sorry, that I would do anything to make things right between us, that I wanted him the same way he wanted me, and that if he took a chance on me, he wouldn’t regret it.
Which meant I needed to see him stat. No more pity-party. I had to talk to him and if cornering him after his football game was the only option, so be it.
I love you, girls I can’t thank you enough for hearing me out. —Gabby
We love you, too You never have to thank us for listening to you! —Anna
Or offering advice! What else are sisters for? —Layla
Now…What are the odds that we can go watch the Panthers’ game today? —Gabby
I knew there was one in less than three hours. I hoped to make it.
Leave it to me! I’ll get us tickets :) —Layla
It was decided. We were going. I rushed back to my room to get ready, where I spent an hour overthinking my outfit before settling on a short leopard print dress, red pumps, and my faux fur red coat since the temperature had dropped now that fall was upon Montardor.
Layla arrived to pick me up an hour prior to the start of the game.
“Hey, Gabby.” She smiled when I slid into her car. “How are you feeling?”
“Better than I did this morning. You?” I leaned forward to give her a hug. “By the way, you look gorgeous.”
She wore an elegant white coat—with Josh’s football jersey underneath, no doubt—and matching white gloves embellished with pearls, her dark hair falling around her shoulders in loose waves.
“Thank you. So do you.” Layla hugged me back.
“And I’m doing okay.” She started driving, heading towards the school’s stadium.
Anna wasn’t carpooling with us since she was in the west, choosing to drive herself so Layla didn’t have to do a detour.
“Except for the fact that my dad is suspicious and thinks I’m sneaking around with a boy behind his back. ”
Well, shit.
After her mom’s passing, Layla was all Marco Antonelli had left.
As a result, he’d turned even more overprotective and overbearing.
He would never accept her relationship with Josh, whose family was tied to the underworld.
It wasn’t that Layla couldn’t date—she just couldn’t be with a mob prince whose values and etiquette her dad deemed beneath him.
According to his strict rules and moral compass, the daughter of a strait-laced Italian businessman would never mix with the son of a notorious Irish kingpin.
Layla had managed to keep her dad in the dark regarding her one-year-long relationship with Josh. Last year, Josh bought a brownstone so Layla could occasionally spend the night with him. But she’d always lie to her dad, saying that she was sleeping over at mine since I was close to campus.
When the time came, I truly hoped her dad was accepting of their relationship.
If he subjected them to his wrath, Anna and I promised to help them elope if it came down to it. They loved each other in that rare, genuine, you’re-it-for-me type of way and people like that deserved to have their happily ever after.
“What did you tell him?” I inquired.
“I told my dad that I wasn’t. But after tonight, I won’t stay at the house for a while. I can’t risk him finding out about Josh. I’m going to remain with him in the west side to ease his suspicions.”
Josh was going to be devastated that Layla wouldn’t be spending time in their shared home, but ultimately he’d understand.
“Everything will work itself out,” I promised. “Don’t worry, Lay.”
The Panthers were on the cusp of another win.
We were down to the fourth quarter and the scoreboard showed that Vesta University was in the lead with six points.
The entirety of the fast-paced game, a lump felt lodged in my throat.
The Panthers were playing ruthlessly and strategically, but the rival university was desperately trying to catch up to them.
There were a few close calls where the opposing team almost hurt Hunter.
My heartbeat galloped and I might have cursed loudly at the players, much to Anna’s and Layla’s chagrins when I drew unnecessary attention towards us in the bleachers.
I couldn’t help myself. This game was extremely important for him and the team. A win before the upcoming finals would be a huge confidence booster and I hated seeing anyone try to injure Hunter before the championship.