Chapter 12 #2
Me: I should say no.
Hunter: Yeah.
I waited.
Another text.
Hunter: But I don’t want you to.
My pulse jumped.
Taylor looked at me carefully. “I live on his floor.”
I blinked. “What?”
“My apartment is on Hunter’s floor. Down the hall.” She shrugged. “If you wanted to be discreet, you could come to my place for a bit and then go over when the hallway is clear.”
I stared at her, surprised.
Liv pointed at her. “This is why daughters of executives are terrifying.”
Taylor smiled. “We understand logistics.”
Billie leaned back. “I love this friend group.”
“I haven’t said I’m going,” I said.
Every single one of them looked at me. I hated them because I knew I was going. There was no way I could walk away now. Then the front door of the restaurant opened, and Liv sat up straighter.
“Oh,” she said. “Speaking of terrifying hockey royalty.”
I turned to see Oli Russell walking in with Sloane tucked under his arm.
I had seen them plenty of times growing up, but it still hit me every time.
Oli had that kind of presence that made a room adjust around him.
Sloane was beside him, pretty and warm, with a smile that softened the whole picture.
Liv waved. “Aunt Sloane!”
Sloane spotted us and immediately came over, pulling Oli with her.
“Girls,” she said warmly.
Liv stood first, hugging her. “Hi.”
I stood too, and Sloane hugged me next like she had known me my whole life, which she basically had in the weird extended hockey-family way.
Oli leaned in and kissed my cheek. “Hey, kid.”
“Hi, Oli.”
His eyes narrowed playfully. “You’re not still a kid, are you?”
“No.” This was awkward. Not only was I not a kid, I was pining after their son.
Sadie introduced herself, and Sloane recognized her dad’s name right away. Then Oli looked toward the guys’ table. Hunter had gone very still. Max looked delighted. Leo looked like someone had just dropped Santa Claus into brunch.
“Oh good,” Oli said. “The children are here.”
Sloane smacked his arm. “Be nice.”
“I am nice.”
They headed toward the guys’ table, and the second Oli got close, the energy shifted. Hunter looked embarrassed, which was adorable. Oli clapped a hand on Hunter’s shoulder and leaned down to say something. Hunter covered his face with one hand. I smiled into my coffee.
Billie leaned close. “You’re in so much trouble.”
“I know.”
We finished brunch while the Russells settled at a table across the room.
I tried not to look too much, but it was hard.
Hunter was different with his parents. Still controlled, but softer around the edges.
Sloane touched his cheek once when she passed him, and he let her.
Oli asked him about something, and Hunter rolled his eyes but smiled.
It was another piece of him and another part I wanted.
Because apparently I didn’t have enough problems.
When the bill came, Taylor grabbed her purse. “You coming with me?”
I looked at my phone. My body already knew the answer.
“I can come for a bit,” I said.
Billie smiled like the devil. “For a bit.”
“Stop,” I practically begged.
Liv hugged me outside the restaurant. “Be careful. Hunter is like a cousin to me. He hasn’t dated anyone in over a decade. His heart is on lockdown.”
“I know,” I assured her. I knew what being cheated on felt like, but Hunter felt safe.
Sadie squeezed my arm. “If your dad finds out, I was never here.”
Taylor laughed. “Coward.”
“My dad knows Cole. I’m protecting my trust fund.”
I said goodbye to Billie, who hugged me and whispered, “Text me if you have sex. Or if you almost have sex. Or if there is heavy petting. Just text me after.”
“You need help,” I cackled. Things were never boring when she was around.
“I know,” she giggled.
Taylor drove us back to the building. “Before I forget. I kind of told my parents I ate dinner at your place last night.”
“Oh boy. Now I’m really involved in this secret plot,” she laughed. “It’s all good.”
We parked in the underground parking under the building and went upstairs. Her apartment was on Hunter’s floor.
“Sorry about the mess,” she said.
“It’s not messy.”
“It is, but I live alone, so no one cares.” She shrugged.
I looked around and felt a sudden, sharp pang of jealousy because she had her own private space. The ability to leave a mug in the sink without Dad asking if I was drinking enough water or Mom diagnosing my exhaustion from across the room.
“This is nice,” I said.
“Living alone?” she asked.
“Yeah.”
“It’s the best.” Taylor kicked off her shoes. “I mean, it can get lonely, but I like having my own place.”
“I miss it,” I admitted. I had lived with roommates in undergrad, and it was nice to have that kind of privacy. “Living with my parents makes me feel like I’m sixteen all over again. At least when I was dating Julian, we spent a lot of time at his apartment, so privacy wasn’t an issue.”
Taylor sat across from me. “Ah, being under parental surveillance can be harsh. My dad is pretty strict, so it’s definitely nice not to have him breathing down my neck.”
“That’s how I feel, only it isn’t my dad. It’s my mom. I feel like she has these spidey senses. Like she could tell I kissed someone last night. Although maybe it was just my guilt playing tricks on me.”
She laughed. “Honestly, I get it. Katy’s room is available if you want it,” she offered, throwing me off. “She’s completely moved out,” she said of her old roommate.
I looked at her. “Are you serious?”
“It could be fun, and I wouldn’t mind help with the rent,” she said.
I leaned back. “My parents would feel bad.”
“Why?”
“Because I stayed back in Philly when they moved out here, and that was hard on them. When I got into medical school here, they were ecstatic. Now I feel like they got used to me being around.”
“You’re an adult, Catherine. They should understand, and you don’t need to feel guilty,” Taylor noted.
“I think I’m feeling guilty because of Hunter. I lied to my mom about eating with you, and I never lie to my mother. And now I’m going to be with him.” I swallowed. “It could hurt my parents.”
“Are you going to see Hunter for a quick fuck, or is it something you think can be more?” she asked.
I didn’t have to think of an answer. I had it on the tip of my tongue. “I really like Hunter. Last night proved to me that our connection could be something real.”
“Okay, yeah, then you have to try. You deserve this chance. No one needs to know. This is about you and him,” Taylor said.
I looked at her, a little surprised. “I thought you would try and talk me out of it, not encourage me.”
“I wouldn’t be a good friend if I didn’t. What happens if he’s meant to be your one true love?” she asked.
I didn’t have time to answer her question because my phone buzzed.
Hunter: I’m home. Sorry it took so long. I hope you won’t back out on me, but if you do, I understand and things won’t be awkward. You’ll always be important to me and Isla.
My heart did the stupid flip again.
Taylor looked at my face and smiled. “That him?”
“Yes.”
“Do you want me to check the hallway?” she asked.
“This is insane,” I said on a nervous giggle.
“It’s crazy exciting,” Taylor corrected.
Hunter’s text was so sweet that my heart already decided for me.
“Please.”
Taylor got up, opened her door a crack, looked both ways, then turned back to me. “Clear.”
I stood. My legs felt shaky. “Thanks for your help.”
Taylor leaned against the door, watching me. “Don’t get caught.” Taylor touched my arm before I stepped out. “Catherine.”
I looked back. “Make sure this is what you want. Not just because he’s hot. Not just because he’s forbidden. Because if this goes sideways, it’s going to hurt.”
I swallowed. “I know.”
I texted Hunter.
Me: I’m at Taylor’s. Just coming over to you.
I stepped into the hallway. I walked the few doors down to Hunter’s apartment with my heart beating so hard I felt it in my fingertips.
This was reckless. A terrible idea. Exactly the kind of thing that could blow up my family, my place with the team, and whatever fragile, dangerous thing had started between us.
But it felt worth it because maybe Hunter and I had a chance at something real.