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“We are doing this again,” I muttered.
Ginger heard me, but all she did was give a tired laugh that I took as approval.
Chapter Seventeen
Ginger
I was locking up the salon one evening. It had been two weeks since Ben left, and I missed him terribly. At first, when he told me he was going to stay over longer because his dad’s health had taken a turn for the worse, I had been a little worried.
But, I really trusted him. So I didn’t think too much, even though it wasn’t the one week he’d initially promised me. I was okay with it, because he was still calling me and Fern every day.
There had been no more sexy video calls after that first one, partly because I was embarrassed I’d actually gone through with it, but also because I didn’t want to risk it. I usually left my room unlocked for my daughter’s sake, for when she had nightmares and didn’t want to sleep by herself. She almost caught me that night after I’d already cut off the call with Ben. I’d still had my lingerie on when she walked in, but I managed to hide behind the sheet until she’d fallen asleep on my bed, then gone to get changed before lying down beside her.
Ben had hinted at wanting one, though, and it was enough to make me giddy.
With the door to the salon locked, I looked through my purse to make sure I hadn't forgotten anything, then dropped the key inside and started to walk away, headed for home. Mom had left earlier with Fern, and I’d stayed to clean up. We hadn't come in with both cars, though, and because I’d declined when Mom said she could wait for me, or come back for me, I was going to walk.
“Ginger!”
I was preoccupied, but when I heard my name called, I automatically looked over my shoulder to see who it was.
“Hunter?”
I was confused to see him for a moment. It had been a while since Hunter had come by. He’d attempted to call me a few times, but every time I was busy with something, or waiting for Ben to call me, so they were usually cut short. I’d all but forgotten about him, not that he had been that significant in my life to begin with. Both times I’d gone out with him, I went at his insistence, not because I thought we were out on a date.
“What the fuck are you doing?”
My eyebrows shot up in surprise at his vehemence.
“I’m going home,” I said slowly, holding my purse close to my body in case I needed to make a quick run for it.
“That’s not what I mean and you know it,” he retorted. “I’m talking about Ben. After everything he’s done to you, leaving you for four fucking years, how can you take him back so easily?”
I hadn't known what he was talking about, but the moment he mentioned Ben, I was annoyed. Ben getting jealous was one thing. I was actually in love with him, and he didn’t deserve to get mad after what he’d put me through. Hunter, though, I’d dealt with it enough from him already, and I was sick of it.
“Look, Hunter. I’m tired and I want to head home to my daughter, so if you could please leave me alone.”
Without waiting for a reply, I turned back around to continue on my way.
“I’m not going to let this go, Ginger.”
Those words had me stopping again, and I turned to Hunter, incredulous.
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me! You can't just go out with me, then toss me aside because Ben came back!”
I laughed. “Hunter, the only reason we went out for coffee, was because you insisted on it, after you nearly hit me with your car. Again, with the dinner, you insisted, because it was your birthday and you told me you had no one to spend it with. I was being nice to you when I agreed to it both times. I never once said I felt any interest in you.”
“Well, fuck that,” he spit out. “I’m not someone for you to fucking pity, Ginger. You better break up with Ben, or else.”
I felt like I wanted to laugh again, but he was completely serious.
“Are you threatening me? Because I’m not into you? Hunter, are you nuts?”
“You’re the one who’s nuts,” he countered. “I mean really, Ginger. Ben of all people? I noticed he hasn’t been around by the way. He abandoned you once and now, what, he ran from you again? And you think that kind of guy is reliable? Are you just going to keep being that bastard’s whore?”
“He didn’t run,” I snapped, starting to grow angry. “He’s dealing with shit right now, but it’s not like we don’t talk. And what does any of it matter to you, anyway? He fathered my child, so it’s not like everybody didn’t know we must have been fucking before that. Back the fuck off, Hunter, I’m going home.”
I was turning away to walk, when once again, he stopped me with his words.
“I saw you.”
“I’ve seen you around, too,” I called carelessly over my shoulder.
“In the salon,” he continued. “That day, when Ben came? I had a really nice view of you fucking Ben in your salon that night. You’ve gotten bold with age, haven’t you?”
That had me feeling a little cold, and I couldn’t help turning around, even though I wanted to get away as fast as possible.
“What did you just say?”
“You give into him so easily, but when it’s me, you can't even give me five minutes for a phone call.”
All I could do was watch as he advanced on me. I was frozen, because he said he’d seen. Ben had closed the blinds and turned off all the lights, leaving only one lamp on. The blinds in the salon barely had slits between them, so for him to have seen, he would have had to be pressed up against the glass.
How much did he see? How long did he just stand there and watch us, and we had no idea?
A cold shiver washed over my body. My stomach was churning uncomfortably. By the time I clued in that he was a little too close, and I wanted to turn and run, I didn’t get the chance to. He caught me by the tops of my arms, and shook me, even as I tried to back away from him.
“Why, Ginger! I came here for an explanation, so why the fuck aren’t you saying anything!”
Because you’re not giving me the chance to say anything!
But the words couldn’t make it out of my mouth. He shook me so hard I thought I’d bite my tongue if I tried to speak, anyway, and I was too frightened to let out any words. His hands on my arms were squeezing me tightly, enough that I knew I would have bruises later. I kept pushing at his arms, his chest, but I might as well not be doing anything because he didn’t seem the slightest bit affected.
I was getting ready to scream when he was suddenly pulled away from me. I cried out as his nails dragged on my arms, stumbling back away from him. In the next moment, I saw Ben getting ready to throw a punch at Hunter.
Chapter Eighteen
Ben
Finally, after two weeks of us being apart, I managed to get back home. It was only for a short break before I had to go back. Dan had gone over Scarlett’s decision and appeared with Makas to keep her company, so she and Dad could survive at least a day without me.
I was hurrying to Ginger and her mom’s salon to see her before she closed. It was pretty late already, so she might have closed, but I wanted to try and surprise her. If I didn’t find her there, I’d probably just call her so she could come out. I wanted to have a talk with her mother properly before I showed up at her doorstep asking her to lend me her daughter for a night out.
But by the time I got there, it was with disappointment to see that the salon was closed. I parked my car and got out, and stepped up to the door, but I couldn’t see any lights on behind the blinds.
“Damn,” I muttered, feeling regretful.
