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She smiles slightly. “Deal.”
CHAPTER 27
RILEY
It’s been a couple of days since Mia and I played music together and since then, things have been effortless. We get up, we work, we run errands together, if need be, and we hang out in our off hours unless Ava demands to have her friend back. They have been talking a lot about wedding stuff, and she was squealing on the phone so loud, it was starting to give me a headache. That is why I decided to step out this afternoon to pick up some more beer. That’s what happens when you live with someone, you risk them drinking your beer. But if I’m honest, I don’t mind because it’s Mia.
I’m standing in line for the cashier when a commotion catches my attention at the register.
I furrow my brow and look ahead and am shocked by what I see.
Hunter's dressed in a wrinkled shirt, his hair is a mess, and he's profusely sweating. Dark circles are clear under his eyes as he staggers on his feet before the cashier.
He slurs his words, slamming his hand on the counter. “Why the fuck won’t you sell me this?”
He indicates to the array of bottles on the counter, and I instantly understand. Mia had said the other day about how she was worried about Hunter and how he hadn’t been answering her calls, and whenever she’d stop by to see him, he wasn’t there. I have an idea of where he might have been now.
Looking back at the heated discussion in the parking lot, I see the night of the game and the look of pain and worry that followed. It's all coming together.
The woman is visibly shaken as she stammers out a practised response. I look to everyone else in the line and they are all glancing at the ceiling or the floor like it's the most interesting thing ever.
I scoff, shaking my head, as I put my beers down, now forgotten as I make my way toward Hunter, who hasn't seen me yet.
As he begins to wave his hands in the air, I gently put my hand on his shoulder, making him jump and narrow his eyes on me. I am instantly hit with the stench of alcohol and sweat.
I keep my face neutral and my voice low as I tell him, “Hey, Hunter, how about we get some fresh air. I’m actually happy I ran into you. I wanted to talk to you about Mia.”
His face turns menacing as he steps into my face. “Why? What the fuck did you do?”
I keep calm as I tell him, “Nothing. I just thought you’d like an update on how she is doing. We should probably talk outside, so we are not holding up the line.”
I nod my head to the people waiting, and for a moment, I think Hunter is going to argue but thinks better of it when he sees the people. Then tensing his jaw and clenching his fists, he walks out, grumbling about something I can't make out.
We make our way outside and he spins, extending his arms out to the sides. “So what is it?”
I just stand there with my arms crossed over my chest, my eyes assessing him. “How are you doing, Hunter?”
He drops his arms. “I thought we were talking about Mia, not me.”
“We are, and she’s worried about you. She’s doing really well. She’s picking things up at work. She’s laughing and smiling again.”
His face softens slightly, his eyes deep in thought as he nods to himself. “That’s good.” He sucks in a breath of air before telling me, “But tell her not to worry about me.” He shrugs. “I’m fine.”
I cock my head, doubt clear on my face. “You know no one is buying that, right?”
He scoffs, but I continue. “You are stumbling everywhere, you reek of alcohol, and you are getting unnecessarily aggressive. And you know what?” I approach him with purposeful steps until I am right in front of him, looking him in the eyes to make sure he is understanding me. “You need to knock this shit off. Whatever is causing this, you need to sort it out because Mia has been worried sick about you. Like you, she just lost her parents, and you are supposed to be her rock and you are nowhere to be seen. She feels that and I see it, and you know what else?” I step closer until we are nose to nose. “I don’t like when she is not happy.”
He holds his frown, glaring at me, and I don’t back down from his gaze. Not looking away from me, he asks, “You have feelings for her, don’t you?”
It takes everything for me not to react as I move back a bit, growling, “Are we clear, Hunter? You clean up your act, be a man, and be there for your sister.”
Without even waiting for a response, I turn on my heel and leave, but stop just as I get a couple of feet away, turning to look back at him with his head hung in shame. “And, Hunter, if you continue to hurt her, we will be having a different conversation.”
And then I leave, not giving him a second look, but happy that I got my message across and hoping that he cleans up his act. Mia smiles and laughs, but I see the sadness when he doesn’t answer her phone calls and when she steps in the door from going to see him and he wasn't there. She has had enough pain and I'm tired of her only family causing her more. I understand that he has his own pain, but he shouldn’t be making others suffer.
I just hope that he takes my warning seriously.
I hop back in the car, with no beer and a head full of worry about what will come of this. Thoughts plague my mind as I drive back to the bar. I pull up and make my way up the stairs, and it isn’t until I get to the door that I hear it.
