Chapter Nineteen

Hunter

I’m sitting in my office, staring off into space, stewing and angry as hell at Dani even as I’m forcing myself not to call her. Not to go see her.

No matter what I say or do, she’s going to believe whatever the hell she wants to believe, and I refuse to defend myself any longer.

A minute later, I slam my fist on my desk.

Fuck that.

I’m not letting things end this way between us. Not after the way I held her in my arms the last time we were together.

I’m just about to buzz Trisha to tell her I’m headed out when my cell rings. I frown when Chad’s name comes up on Caller ID. “This is Hunter,” I answer. “What’s up?”

“Have you seen Dani?”

“No,” I say shortly. “Not since yesterday.”

“Fuck,” Chad breathes, and I immediately stiffen.

“What’s going on, Chad?”

“I—I fucked up, Hunter.”

“How?” I transfer the phone to my other hand as I rise to my feet to stare out the floor-to-ceiling windows.

“I’ve been receiving gifts, and—”

“Ah right. A new phone and some Lakers tickets. Dani thinks they were from me.”

“Fuck, I almost wish it had been you giving me the gifts. When I told her who… Fuck! The look on her face. It was like I’d stabbed her or something.”

Concern prickled my neck. “Who sent them?”

“The gifts came from our father.”

“Are you shitting me?” I think back to what Chad had told me at the barbeque, how their father was never around. “Don’t you think it’s more than a little convenient that he’s popping back into your life right as you’re potentially about to sign with an agent?”

“I don’t know. Maybe. Of course that’s what Dani said too. Right before she ran out of my house. She hasn’t answered her phone since. I’ve tried her apartment. I’ve tried the shop. I can’t get hold of her.”

“I’m sure she’s fine. She probably just needed to get away to think.”

“Time to build another wall around herself you mean. This time, against me. Dad. You. She’s gathering her defenses, and you need to help me get through to her, Hunter.”

I sigh. “Look, Chad. You’re giving me too much credit.”

“You’re not giving yourself enough credit. Because Dani’s falling head over heels for you.”

Wait, what? What's he talking about?

Chad continues. “I fucked up, and she’s going to try to protect herself from all of us. Shut down emotionally. I’ve seen her do it before. The question is, are you going to let her do it again?”

So many thoughts, so little time to process them all. Chad just told me his sister is falling for me. If it's true—or even if it might be true—I need to find her.

I need to tell her I feel the same way.

* * *

After getting off the phone with Chad, I rushed out of my office and got into my car as fast as I could. Something inside me needed to get to Dani as fast as possible so I weaved dangerously in and out of traffic, hoping to beat the evening rush.

I pull into the gravel lot behind the tattoo shop, notice her bike on the premises, and race up the steps to her apartment. I don’t think about asking for permission to go inside. I just go for it, push open the door and everything seems to change in an instant.

She’s standing there in the living area, her eyes shifting to mine. So do his.

Her ex-boyfriend.

I ball my hand into a fist, rage rushing through my veins.

“Hunter? What are you doing here?” Dani stands and approaches me, but my eyes are glued on her ex, who says, “We’re trying to have a talk, man.”

His lips press together, as if he’s angry or sad. I don’t know which. I don’t fucking care either.

“Yeah, well that talk is over. You need to walk out that door and go back to wherever the hell you came from.”

“I don’t want to fight with you,” he says, much more reserved than the first time I met him. Perhaps he’s afraid I’ll knock him on his ass again. I’m certainly in the mood.

I take a measured step toward him. He shrinks away slightly, but before I can take another step, Dani’s hand presses against my chest, holding me back. “Stop it,” she scolds me. “Both of you stop it.”

“Leave. Now,” I say.

Taylor looks at Dani, who just crosses her arms over her chest. When he gets no help from her, he leaves, holding the box he was carrying. He slams the door shut behind him, forcing a glass portrait on the wall to rock against the wall.

When he’s gone, Dani shakes her head. “What are you doing here, Hunter? You can’t just—”

I walk toward her, and she backs up until her back meets the wall. I tower over her, staring down into her eyes. “Why the hell was he here?”

“None of your business.”

“Oh, it's my business alright. Everything about you is my business, Dani,” I say, putting my hands on either side of her head. “Because I care about you, dammit. And I don't want that punkass hurting you again—”

She throws herself at me, landing her lips against mine. It’s unexpected, but it’s more than welcome. I throw my arms around her, and lift her slightly in the air until her legs are wrapped around my hips. I drive her backwards until she lands against the wall, kissing her with everything I am.