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So many questions buzz around in my head, but I know I need to find Hunter and figure out what is going on with him. This was not the protective and caring brother I know. He was acting different, and I need to know why once and for all. Without a moment’s hesitation, I rise from my seat, telling Riley that I’ll be back, before sprinting out until I am standing outside the locker rooms.
I stand there for a few moments, contemplating just going in there, but I doubt that would improve Hunter’s mood. Not long after, Hunter stomps out of the room, his face still red and sweaty, with dirty hair sticking to his forehead, but he has changed back into his clothes. Clearly not bothering with a shower, his bag slung over his shoulder, a look that saysI hate the worldon his face.
He doesn’t see me straight away, his eyes focused and far away until I step into his path, my hands going up. He blinks down at me, surprised for a moment, before the anger returns to his face. “Not now, Mia.” He tries to step around me, and I should just let him go and cool off, but there was something about his eyes that has me worried. Clearly, something has happened since I saw him last.
I step into his path again. “Yes, now! What the hell was that?”
“The coach is just being a dick, okay.”
My frown increases. “The same coach you have been seeing as a mentor since coming here? What is going on? This isn’t like you, Hunter.”
He looks past me, shaking his head. “Nothing, I just think I need a break.”
“Hunter-“
“Look, Mia, I don’t need you holding my hand. I’m perfectly fine on my own. You just go back to your date.” He hisses the words, and I flinch at the impact, allowing him to walk around me until I spin on my heel and follow him.
“My date? Is that what this is about? Because if it is, you can stop worrying because it isn’t like that. And I’m not trying to hold your hand. I just want you to talk to me!”
We get closer to his truck. “Well, I don’t wanna talk. I just wanna deal with stuff on my own.”
“So there is something!”
We reach the truck, and he throws his bag in the back before warning me. “Mia, just go back inside.”
“Hunter-“
The muscles in his back bunch up, but he stands there with his back to me, not looking at me. As soon as he speaks, it isn't what he says that makes me stop, but how he says it.
“Mia, please, just go back inside.”
Without another word, Hunter hops into his truck and drives off, leaving me in the parking lot with more questions and the sound of his broken voice ringing in my ears.
I bite my lip to keep my tears from falling because every time my brother hurts, and that’s how he sounded, I feel it too. I plant my feet, knowing that I cannot just run after the truck, that maybe all he needs is time.
I’ll give that to him, for a little while, but I am determined to figure out what the hell is going on.
I stand there for I don’t know how long, replaying what just happened, still not believing it until I feel the presence of another.
My muscles tense until I turn and see the familiar warmth of Riley’s eyes looking back at me.
I stand there, unsure of what to say or do, shuffling my feet nervously and biting my bottom lip, wondering who's gonna speak first, when Riley opens his mouth.
“Let’s get you home.”
CHAPTER 25
MIA
Days have passed, and I've thrown myself into work. Working each night and sleeping most days, trying to get the sting from Hunter out of my head so that I am not tempted to run to him and demand he talk to me. If time is what he wants, then I will give him that, but I don’t know how much time Ishouldgive him.
After a long night of demanding drunken customers and a restless sleep, my phone rings, with Ava’s name blinking up at me.
Ava calls me in a panic, demanding that I come over, and I give a quick call to Danny, telling him that I can’t work tonight. I am now in the car with Riley, driving towards Ava’s. I told Riley that I could take an Uber, but he ensured me that he wanted to check in on Charlie anyways, so here we are, sitting in an awkward silence with neither making a move to speak.
During the call, Ava told me that Conner had surprised her with a fancy dinner, reservation to which I joked about the possibility of a proposal, which led Ava into a panicked spiral on what she should wear or if she should say yes. It took a while to calm her down, but I quickly reminded her of how much she loved this guy and that she will say yes. I also reminded her that I was joking and there is a chance that this is just a dinner date.
Ava sounded a little deflated after that, as she asked if I could babysit Charlie since Conner’s parents are out of town this week, to which I squealed with excitement at the idea of spending some special time with my little man.
