Chapter 21 #3
Hunter chuffed. “How did it go? You tell me.” He pulled out his phone and played a video of the parade. Of course the videographer would focus on Graham the whole time.
He pocketed his phone. “Inside. Now.”
I followed his orders. Once we were in the door, he grabbed me by the arm and practically hauled me up the stairs to the bedroom.
He stopped close enough that I could feel the heat coming off him. “I thought I could trust you, Maggie. After everything, you promised you’d be mine.”
Something in me went flat and tired. “Hunter, Graham was just doing his job.”
“Since when is grinding on my fiancé his job?”
“I’m not your fiancé—”
Hunter picked up my Himalayan salt lamp and hurled it at my feet. “You’re wearing my goddamn ring, aren’t you?”
“Here’s your fucking ring.” I pulled it off and flung it at him, my eyes welling in frustration. “I don’t want it.” And just like that—something loosened in my chest. Like I’d been holding my breath for weeks and didn’t know it until just now.
A knock at the door. “You okay, Sugs?” Annie asked, concern coating her voice.
“I’m fine, Annie,” I called. “You’d better let her in or she’s gonna get suspicious,” I whispered, my tone threatening.
His fingers curled at his sides, slow and deliberate. “I will. But after that, you’re done. We’re having him over—one final night, so you can say your goodbyes.”
What the hell? “You’re mad because I took my family to see Graham in a parade?”
“No. I’m mad because I gave you clear instructions—you were never to see him alone. Didn’t I make that plain?”
“And I didn’t. There were hundreds, if not thousands of people there, plus my family. I don’t know why you’re being so unreasonable.”
He moved fast—faster than I expected. His hand found my face before I could step back. “I am not being unreasonable. YOU ARE MINE! I’ll not have my woman trolloping around town, bumping and grinding on a man she used to love—I’ll not have it.”
“You know what? Fuck you.” I stood up and pushed his hand away, the rage inside building. “I’m tired of having to tiptoe around you all the time. I’ve devoted everything to you for months. And for what? To make sure I’m worth your love? To try and make up for a mistake?”
He backhanded me, a small yelp escaping before he shoved me back down into the chair.
I held my face, staring forward, willing the tears back—whatever Hunter was becoming—whatever this was—I'd built it.
Brick by brick, spell by spell. He wouldn't be like this if I hadn't done what I did to him.
That was on me. All of it was on me. Hunter was a good man before I got my hands on him.
“Don’t!” Hunter’s eyes were molten. “I can forgive you for your little fantasy about cursing me, but I can’t for playing games with my heart.
Now wipe yer eyes, lass, so you’re presentable for yer guest.” He tugged at his suit coat, flattening it against his torso, adjusting his sleeves before looking in the mirror and fixing his hair.
He took a deep breath, regained his composure, screwed on a smile, and opened the door.
“Annie, we’re just… having a little heated discussion,” Hunter said calmly.
“Could ye excuse her for a few more minutes? She’ll be down shortly. ”
“Sugs?” She poked her head in.
“It’s fine. I’ll… be right there.” Annie’s head disappeared back into the hallway.
And with that, Hunter stepped out and closed the door behind him.
I let out a deep breath and clutched my gut with a shaking fist. I got up and plopped onto my bed, buried my face in my pillow, and screamed as hard as I could. No tears. Just pure hardened frustration.
A few moments later, Annie snuck back in like she was sneaking out of class and I was where she was headed to play hooky.
“Hunter’s out there trying to pawn us off on his hotel spa for two days. That what you want, Sugs?”
“No, but he’s pretty private… and says he doesn’t want anyone to hear what he’s going to do to me.” I rolled my eyes at the audacity of my own lie. “I can get pretty loud.”
Annie placed her hands on my shoulders. “You sure? What you cryin’ for?”
“It’s okay. It’s not Hunter’s fault.” I sighed. “I shouldn’t have let Graham dance with me like that. I’m with Hunter now.”
Annie looked at me the way she looked at the potatoes when my mom criticized them. “Alright, don’t you be lyin’ to me now.”
Everything felt wrong, but I said, “I’m not, Annie. You know how I hate to make people upset—especially by disappointing them.”
“Upset? Them out there?” She thumbed over her shoulder. “They’s gonna love it. I just wanted to make sure Hunter wasn’t gonna string ya up by yer toes or nothing like that.”
“No, not this time.” I breathed out a laugh. For just a second—the stairs. His hands. The air rushing up. I pushed it back down where it lived and kept my face still. “I’ll be fine. Go have fun. Make sure you try the mud bath and the chocolate lava cake—it’s divine.”
She stared at me, reading my face. “Do they gots the strawberry daiquiris? The aunts turned me on to them.”
“I’m sure they could make one.”
“Alright. I’ll go.” Annie pulled me in for a hug, squeezing tight. “But text me the minute anything changes.”