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CHAPTER 3
Hunter
I’m so glad I was homeby ten last night. I ignored Collin’s numerous text messages enticing me to go out with him to chase skirts and I crashed by ten-thirty. As a result, I ended up getting up at six this morning.
This is a real treat for me. On the ranch I share with Jake back home in Summerville, Texas, I start working at six-thirty each morning and I’m always up by five-thirty to exercise before my hectic day kicks off. Since I got back to Los Angeles, it’s been impossible for me to maintain that schedule because my late nights of hedonistic excess prevent me from getting up before eight in the morning. Now, after an intense one-hour run on the beach, I take a shower, jump into my rented black Cadillac Escalade ESV SUV and head back to Lola’s Paradise for breakfast.
Okay, I’m hoping I’ll be able to talk to the curvy brunette who’s been occupying my thoughts for the last twenty-four hours. Even though there were some pretty hot women at the dinner last night, I just couldn’t get that girl’s face and curves out of my head.
I fully intended on getting her name and number before I left yesterday, but when I approached the bar, someone whisked her away into the kitchen and she never came out. After a few impatient text messages from Collin, and given the fact that it was getting late, I decided to try my hand today.
After pigging out on a generous breakfast burrito and ordering two lattes, it becomes clear the little brunette isn’t going to show up. Since it’s so early on a sunny Saturday morning, I decide to head to the Santa Monica farmers’ market instead of going back home. I’ve loved these outdoor markets since I was a kid. It’s one of those activities I always looked forward to doing with my grandmother, Beatrix Rose Evans. She was so passionate, she’d come out every week to support local farmers without fail. Nana Rose was at it until she could no longer walk as easily. Every time I’d come back to LA for a visit, she always insisted I take her to the one near her home and I’d always oblige with great pleasure. It was our time together and I cherished every minute of it.
Since I’ve only been in the city for a week, this is the first time I’ve ventured into one of these. This isn’t the market my grandmother used to come to, but just being here brings back a flood of memories. Since her passing, the idea of coming out to one of these has been unappealing, but today, for some reason, I can’t think of anywhere else I’d rather be.
After parking my SUV, I head where the action is. I don’t have any specific plans. I really don’t need any food since the chef and the housekeeper have been doing an outstanding job at feeding me and making sure the fridge is always fully stocked. I figure I’ll spend an hour here and then maybe drive up to Malibu and hang out there for a bit. I have to get back home at a decent time because I need to get ready for the big gala I’m attending later tonight with Shane and Collin. I still have plenty of time to enjoy my day.
From the number of people swarming around me, you’d never think it’s only nine o’clock in the morning. Customers are already haggling for lower prices, vendors are setting out more fresh produce and local delicacies to satisfy the demand, performers are entertaining eager kids of all ages and hungry crowds are already stuffing their faces with some of the best truck food you’ll find in the area. I’m soaking it all in.
As I walk further inside the market, I notice a table weighed down with plump and juicy Ataulfo mangoes. My favorites. I take a step forward, ready to buy this guy out of business, but my phone vibrates. I fish inside my back pocket. Collin is already trying to reach me.
Collin:You up yet?
Hunter: Who are you and what have you done with my friend Collin? No way he’d be up this early.
Collin: Fuck off.
Hunter:No pussy last night?
Collin: Plenty, but I have tons of stuff to take care of today. I left last night’s conquest’s house an hour ago. And you?
Hunter:Went to bed alone.
Collin: You must’ve had to jerk off pretty hard this morning.
Hunter:Go to hell.
Collin: Did you locate your dream girl?
Hunter:Not yet. Went back to—
“Shit.” I walk right into someone. “Goddammit, my phone,” I shout as the device slips out of my hands and goes flying into the air. I reach out and luckily I’m fast enough and tall enough to catch my iPhone before it crashes against the cement, shattering into a million pieces. I’d be lost without that thing.
“Darn, my oranges,” a woman yelps.
Without thinking or looking up, I run after the little spheres rolling around the market, conscious my texting must’ve caused this poor woman to lose her citrus fruits. I zigzag between mobs of people until I’ve picked up every last one of them. A kind merchant who notices my heroic efforts hands me a plastic bag and I dump half a dozen bruised oranges in it. I’m definitely going to have to buy her fresh ones, because I massacred these. I’m a little embarrassed I wasn’t more careful. I’m pretty sure whomever these belong to can’t be very impressed with me right now.
I’m just about to search the crowd for the owner of the oranges I rescued when my phone buzzes in my hand. Before even seeing his number flash on my screen, I know it’s Collin.
Collin: What the hell happened? Where did you go?
Hunter:Long story. Let me text you back.
Collin: I’m off to the gym for a couple of hours. Catch you later.
Hunter:All right.
I lift my eyes and look around to find the woman I wronged. I freeze when a familiar face stares back at me. I can’t believe this.
