Chapter Twenty
Kylie
The rest of the evening was spent doing much of nothing, and I must have been more tired than I thought. I passed out on the couch and woke up in Hunter’s bed alone just after two in the afternoon. I must have been exhausted. I never sleep that long.
After scrambling some eggs for the little guy, I dropped down on the couch next to him with a smile on my face. He was growing on me, and I wasn’t sure if I was falling in love with him or Hunter faster. We watched TV for a couple of hours before Vince went to find some of his toys and his coloring book.
I hadn’t relaxed so much in forever. It was bliss.
Vince was busy coloring the rest of his books while I watched his favorite cartoons on the television. I was getting used to all the kid shows he watched, and honestly, I was starting to like them.
“What color do you want, Kylie? Red or pink?” He pointed to the rose that was on the first page of his book. I picked the red one, telling him it’s the prettier of the two. He continued his activity as I kept my eyes on him, amused by how productive he was during his Sunday morning.
Sunday was my day off at the convenience store. It was a blessing in disguise, though. Days off during the weekends enabled me to spend more time with Vince, which was quickly becoming my favorite thing to do.
“How about this girl’s hair, Kylie?” He pointed to the next page where a pretty girl held a rose.
I smiled at him and picked the color yellow. “That girl looks like me. Curls on the end of the long hair. Golden blonde will do.” He took the crayon happily from my hand, smiling at me as he nodded.
“Yeah, she looks like you. Except that you’re prettier.” He returned his attention to the book, coloring in the girl’s hair with the yellow.
I stroked Vince’s hair as I watched him enjoy his hobby. Living with the Yonnies was one of the best things in life. It felt like I was a part of a family. Vince was like a son to me.
“Are you hungry, Vince?” I asked him, his eyes still focused on the girl he was coloring.
“Not yet.”
I looked at the clock and stood up from my seat. “Nonetheless, I better get us something to eat before you get hungry. A superhero must not go starving.” I walked to the kitchen to start cooking the meat Hunter left in the fridge from before he left that morning.
“Hey. I’m home. Anyone here?” The sound of Hunter’s voice caused my stomach to tighten as I worked in the kitchen.
“In here. Just getting dinner together,” I called out, trying not to think about how nice it was to play family with Hunter and Vince. Could it turn into something else? Something more? I prayed it would.
“My Aunt Brenda is stopping by to pick up some papers on her way through town.” Hunter moved closer to me and smiled. “You’ll like her.”
“Is she coming in time for dinner?”
“I don’t think so. Speaking of dinner. I’m starving. Let me wash up and I’ll be right there.”
I watched him go before going into the kitchen and finishing things up. I called Hunter and Vince into the kitchen and prepared our plates. Pork barbecue with stewed veggies on the side. The aroma of the food was truly delicious, making my stomach grumble in hunger.
“I told you, you are the better cook between the two of us. Right, Vince?” Hunter smiled as we sat across the table from each other, stealing glances at one another through the whole meal.
“Yep,” Vince mumbled through his mouthful, causing us to chuckle.
As I took a slice of the pork in my mouth, Hunter surprised me with his plan he had in mind for the night.
“After we finish dinner, prepare your gun and get dressed. We are going hog hunting tonight.”
“Really? Wait. Where is Vince going to be?” I asked. The plan had my heart racing in my chest. Before, I was looking forward to trying target shooting over moving targets. Now that it reminded me about using my gun again, I felt overwhelmed. I hadn’t used my gun for quite some time and had honestly started to wonder why I even had the damn thing.
I needed to do it this time. I was pulling the trigger that night. Period.
“Yeah. Where am I going to be, Dad? Am I going too?” Vince asked.
As if on cue, someone knocked on the door. Hunter stood and smiled. “Nope. It’s going to take Aunt Brenda a little while to dig through your grandfather’s old chest of drawers to find what she’s looking for. She’ll be here while you’re off in dreamland.” He winked before walking to the door.
I was nervous meeting someone in his family for some reason, but Vince made me feel much better.
“Oh, Kylie. You’re going to like Aunt Brenda.” He leaned closer and whispered, “She always brings candy!”
“Who’s in here!” An older woman with a great smile walked into the kitchen and Vince yelled and ran toward her. “Come here, munchkin!”
“Aunt B, I want you to meet my friend, Kylie. I’m going to take her out to the barn to show her how to shoot. You know, hanging out for a little bit? Shouldn’t be too long.”
I extended my hand and smiled. “Nice to meet you.”
“You too, dear.” She glanced over at Hunter, still hugging Vince. “I don’t mind at all. Take your time.”
After we spoke for a minute more, I walked to the back to change, worried that I was going to mess things up. I wasn’t a gun type of gal, but I’d done all right so far. I took a deep breath and prepared myself both physically and mentally. I knew I should do my best to focus on this hunting. It was the only chance for me to channel my inner strength and confidence for protecting myself.
I tied my hair up after changing into my comfortable pants and hoodie jacket. Carrying the gun fully loaded with a complete magazine in it, I went down to meet Hunter in the living room.
“You sure that Vince is going to be okay?” I glanced over my shoulder toward the office. I could hear him and Aunt Brenda in there cackling about something.
“Oh, yeah. We’ll lock up, and we’re just going out back. Besides, Brenda loves that kid like he was her grandson. And these bastard pigs aren’t too far. They’ve been tearing up the yard, remember?”
“How could I forget.” I walked over to him and put my hand on his chest. “Kiss me.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He reached up and cupped my face, pulling me close for a long, probing kiss.
I jerked back as Vince called out to me. “I’ll be back.” I smiled and turned, going to check on the little guy. He was either talking in his sleep or I was hearing things. He was out like a light by the time I opened his door. Weird.
Hunter was sitting in the living room when I returned, checking one of his long-range guns. He looked like a bad ass killer ready for the shooting battle in the woods.
He stood up from his seat, swinging the gun’s attached sling around his body. He walked to the gun cabinet and pulled out a shotgun, surprising me a little.
“Do we need something that big?” I smiled as he gave me a cocky grin.
“Yeah. Those hogs are huge.” His eyes rolled over me as approval filled his expression. “You ready?”
I could feel the nerves returning inside of me. I gulped, nodding afterward as a signal of a thrifty, optimistic answer. “Yeah. I guess.”
“Let’s go then.” He held my hand, pulling me out of the house. All the madness and worries in my head vanished in the wind as we walked out under the moonlight.
It felt like the first night I spent with him. The night that left an imprint on my entire life. How could I forget that moment I shared with him under the light of the stars and the moon?
It made me feel so alive.
While we strolled out in the dark, he led the way toward the back of his yard. The gun practice area he set up was still silent, no signs of anything that rooted up from the green grass. He kept walking, determined to explore the forest and search for the hogs that ruined his properties.
Before we laid foot in the area were plenty of trees shaded the wild hogs, he faced me with a threatening look.
“Remember, those hogs are not the kindest animals you’ll meet in the forest. They are wild and dangerous. If they spot any enemies or threats near them, they won’t hesitate to battle them with all their might.” His green eyes glistened under the moonlight. I nodded, keeping him aware that I was listening to his reminders.
“Also, I’ll let you take the first shot. This time, don’t hesitate. It will not kill the hog, but it will slow him down. Don’t think about it much; I’ll protect you over the course of this practice.” I let out a heavy exhale, but affirmed his words.
He released my hand and positioned his gun, holding it in combat mode. I did the same, handling the gun tight. We turned our flashlights on, which was attached to the harness he had me wear before we left the house.
As we searched for the hogs, I was focusing on two things. The hogs were the primary goal, but protecting myself and Hunter was of higher importance. I kept my senses sharp as we continued our hunt, trying to be the first to spot the enemy.
Just as I was to take another step in the expedition, I spotted one huge hog gazing at me. His eyes were reflecting his madness and need to run me down, eager to kill me before I could do it. My body froze, my fingers glued to the grip on my gun.
I remembered the man’s silhouette. The man who laid foot in my house without any permission. The trespasser who took advantage of my property, locking his target on me. I felt the same dangerous vibe from this hog. His eyes were telling me that I should retreat, that the man and this hog were stronger than me.
I could not force myself to pull the trigger. My head was all over the place, messed up with all the things that happened in the past few weeks. The days of threat were not over yet. They would not stop until they got me down on the floor, breathless.
Until I heard his voice.
“Come on, Kylie. You’ve got this.” Blood began to flow in my veins, forcing me back to my senses. I shot him a skeptical look, but he kept me focused on the hog.
“I’ll protect you no matter what. Just do it.” Hunter’s voice fueled the aggression inside of me. It infuriated my heart, recalling the trouble that the man had caused in my life. I needed to take all the threats and enemies down. They deserved to feel my wrath.
I raised the gun, pointing it at my target. It felt like my adrenaline had finally kicked in. With all the courage I could muster, I locked on my target and pulled the trigger.
The sound of the fire echoed in my ears, signifying the success of my first official shot. He managed to avert the direct shot, leaving him a minor injury in the shank area. For a moment, I thought my failed attempt had only worsened the scene now that hog was charging in our direction, maddened by the inflicted wound.
“Fuck,” Hunter grumbled. “Shoot it again. Now. Now!”
He handed me the shotgun, which I had no fucking clue how to use. I did what came naturally. I lifted the gun and forced myself into a calm. Another shot and the kickback almost knocked me on my ass.
“I’m sorry.” I reached out and touched his back.
“It’s okay, baby. No worries. I’m pretty sure you got it, but let’s double check.” He moved closer, and my stomach tightened.
I turned my attention on the hog. It was immobile, no signs of life seen from it. The red, abhorrent fluid trickled down the hole in his skull, drenching its face with its own blood. I walked forward to scrutinize the dead hog, searching for the bullet I bore in his torso.
“That was spectacular.” Hunter came out of the dark, his face lit up by the moonlight’s brightness. I caught the deep shot on the hog’s torso just where I envisioned it to be. It was a perfect shot.
I stared back at him, my heart still racing in excitement. It was the most unforgettable adventure I had ever experienced. An unbeatable hunt under the night sky with the strong, enigmatic, and attractive Hunter Yonnie.
“That was incredible.” I almost screamed out the extreme emotions I felt, but things seemed to change focus. I looked at his face. The face of the man who rescued me from my fucked up life.
The clouds unblocked the moon, giving us more light to see each other. My heart was racing with a million emotions. It was restless, but I didn’t care. I wanted something just like this. Especially with him.
He stepped closer to me, smiling beautifully as he met my eyes. Those green eyes were dazzling me, causing me to fall into a deep hypnosis under his spell. If he wished to catch me and entrap me, then he won. I surrender myself to him.
“You never fail to impress me.” He ran his fingers down my face. I blushed upon his touch, captivated by his charming ways. My heart began to race again. It was a different type of feeling. Something I had been thinking about for a long time, but now I knew the answer.
Everything before me was reduced to a blur. All that I could ever picture was Hunter’s beautiful eyes, his expression burying meaning down into my soul.
“No, it’s the other way around,” I whispered roughly, losing my breath as he stroked my cheek. He smiled the sweetest smile I had ever seen in my entire life.
He had no clue how much I loved him, and I was too fucking scared to tell him.