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“Yep, that’s where I’ll be when I visit,” I say while nodding.
“Yeah, the tub can easily fit two or three people.”
“I plan on being in there alone,” I say with a coy smile.
“And what will you be doing in there all by yourself?” Hunter asks while waggling his eyebrows.
I laugh, unable to stop myself due to the look on his face. I don’t know why I was so concerned. He’s the same old Hunter I fell in love with. The only difference now is that he lives in Chicago and he has achieved the one career he’s wanted since he was a kid.
Hunter guides me into his bedroom, which is across from his fancy bathroom. The room is huge, displaying a king-sized bed with two nightstands on either side. Huge, and yet, Hunter has nothing to decorate it with. There’s another row of mirrors across from his bed. More closet space, I’m assuming, and there’s a desk and chair near the door. He pushes back the curtains, revealing sliding doors leading out onto a decent-sized balcony, with a small round table and a couple chairs around it. He places the laptop on the table and sits across from me. The sun is setting and I think I see the beginnings of Michigan Lake in the background.
I’ve never been to Chicago. I didn’t really see the need since I hail from The Big Apple. New York already has its tall skyscrapers and long lines of traffic to boast about. Now, I can’t wait to fly there, to be with Hunter and finally have those big arms around me.
“I can’t wait to have you here for Thanksgiving,” he says, his face losing all the amusement it once held. Looking at him now, I can see the dark circles around his eyes and the sharp angles of his face. I didn’t notice it before, but he looks like he’s lost weight. It’s due to practice. I know it is. He probably works out more than he ever did before and I’m sure his diet of protein bars and protein shakes is helping in that area as well.
Or, not helping,I think, trying not to frown as I watch him swipe his hair away from his face. The wind is blowing, making his shirt collar pop up and his hair swish around his face. I guess they don’t call it the Windy City for nothing. However, I don’t really like how thin he’s gotten. I always liked Hunter as my big, cuddly teddy bear. Sure, he’s always had washboard abs and thick biceps, but there was a softness to his face before.
“Did you guys buy your tickets?”
“Of course,” I say while bobbing my head. “We bought those about a week ago. Lucas was all worried prices would go up.”
Hunter chuckles, but the sound doesn’t come off amused, more like exhausted. “I would expect Seth to be the penny pincher of the group.”
I shrug. “Things have changed since you’ve been gone. And how about you? Have you been keeping up with your meetings with Dr. Forrester?” I don’t know why that question left my lips. I should have known Hunter would be pissed. His gaze narrows and I lean away from the screen.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” he asks darkly.
“Nothing,” I rush out. “Stupid question. I’m sorry.”
Hunter doesn’t say anything and I watch him stroke his chin, his gaze looking out over his balcony, the sun highlighting the sharpness of his jaw and nose.
“We’ll be arriving that Wednesday before Thanksgiving. I think around one,” I say nervously, hoping the change of subject will bring that smile back.
It doesn’t.
Hunter nods. “I’ll be there.” He turns his blue eyes back on me, his lips tugging into a forced smile. “And how have the bros been? Seems quiet there. And what’s been going on with you? I feel like we haven’t talked in years.”
I scrunch up my nose, not really wanting to talk about what’s been going on in my life. “Seth and Alex are doing a Puma photoshoot in Denver.”
Hunter’s eyes widen. “Seth and Alex? In Denver?” His head tilts to one side and his hair flips onto his forehead, giving him a boyish look. “Seth is doing a photoshoot with Alex? How did that happen? I thought Seth hated Alex.”
I shrug. “I guess they’re friends now. Don’t ask me how. I have no clue what transpired between them.”
“That’s so weird.”
“Yeah,” I say with a nod. “So, things have been boring and pretty quiet since you left. Lucas is working more and more at the café while Seth and Alex are busy doing their running thing. They even train together in the mornings.”
Hunter’s eyes go so wide I wonder if they’ll pop straight out. “No!”
I nod.
“And you?” Hunter asks. “Is everything okay with your family?”
I make a face. “Well, I guess I’ve been trying to stay busy,” I say slowly, choosing my words carefully. “I’ve been working a lot over the summer with Lucas, trying to save up some money. I got my books for classes today. They start in a week. Don’t know how I feel about that.”
Hunter purses his lips. “And your family?”
“Well,” I say with a long sigh, “they are definitely getting a divorce.”
