Page 17 of Trolling For Love

“It can’t happen here. You understand that right?” I asked and shook his arm.

“Yes. I understand.” He seethed with anger, and it pissed me off that the one time we had to ourselves had been ruined by someone who was a horrible human and would deeply enjoy knowing he’d gotten under our skin.

I took a deep breath and decided I wasn’t going to waste any more time on the uncle I barely knew. “Come on. Let’s go get some groceries and head back up the mountain.”

“I would like that,” Gunnar said, and settled his hand on my leg. “I am sorry for my reaction. Sometimes my emotions take control of me, and I find it hard not to fall into old habits. I’ll try to do better.” I placed my hand over his and squeezed.

“You have nothing to be sorry for. Are you ready?” I asked and when he nodded, I started the truck and drove to the grocery store.

Chapter 15

GUNNAR

Buying supplies for the weekend was lost in a haze of worry and frustration. I found it hard to concentrate on anything other than the hunter. But I had told Flynn I wouldn’t do that, so I did my best and hoped he didn’t suspect how I really felt.

“What fruit do you like?” Flynn asked and picked up an apple. He was so sweet, and the more time we were together the more time I wanted to spend with him.

“I like any fruit, actually there is really no food I won’t eat. All of it’s better than what I have eaten in the past,” I chuckled mostly because it was true and partly because of the shocked look on Flynn’s face.

“You’ve mentioned that before, and I’m not gonna lie, I’m a little afraid to know what you mean. But please, never tell me,” he said, making me laugh. “I’ll just pick a variety.”

“Thank you, Flynn,” I said. We wandered the grocery store for a while longer before finally Flynn was happy with what we’d chosen. We got in a line and waited with other people who also had chosen food. Some gave me strange looks while others never reacted at all. A few creatures I knew were not human, but they made me feel a little less out of place in this strange world.

When we were at a long counter, Flynn put the items he’d chosen on a table that had a belt that moved while another human waved each one over a plate of glass. Flynn went to the end and started putting everything in one of the bags that were hanging there.

“Getting ready for the weekend?” the worker asked.

“Yes, we won’t get back into town again for a week,” Flynn explained while I stood there not sure what I should be doing. The worker finished and told Flynn a number which I knew was what he owed. Then I remembered I had money too. I pulled it out of my pocket and handed it to Flynn.

“Please. Use what you need,” I said. Money still had no meaning to me, but it was obvious how much you needed it in this world. Flynn took it and separated out what he needed and handed the rest back to me.

“Thanks, Gunnar,” he said and gave what he’d taken to the worker.

We walked out to the truck and after Flynn had situated everything, we were on the road and headed back to the forest. “I’m excited to return,” I said as we drove out of town and the smell of the trees became stronger.

We bumped along the rough road that led to the camp, and I was surprised how much this place already felt safe and welcoming. When Flynn pulled to a stop he once again sat there after he’dturned off the engine. “Would you like to stay at my cabin tonight?” Now it was me that turned to face him.

“I would like that very much,” I said, making him smile, and ignoring the want in my voice.

“Come on, let’s take everything inside.”

Between the two of us we carried as much as we could hold. Flynn led us to his cabin which I hadn’t been to yet. It was beyond where the tents were and past the showers in a quiet area where trees grew right up to the side of it making it look like it was a part of the forest. He opened the door, and I was surprised how much bigger it was inside.

“Set those bags down in the kitchen and I’ll put them away,” Flynn said. “I’ll be right back with the pizza.”

He left before I could protest, and I was left alone in his space. His scent was everywhere, the clean smell of fresh air and trees. I took a deep breath and absorbed the scent before I looked around at the space. Besides the small kitchen there was a sofa with a table in front of it and a chair next to the fireplace.

“I’m back.” Flynn walked back inside and set the food down on the counter. “Are you hungry? We didn’t really get to eat much. Have a seat and I’ll put all this away.”

I walked over to the sofa and hoped it would be stronger than it looked. When I sat down it didn’t even creak, it was deceptively strong. “Yes, I am hungry,” I said and watched as he put everything away before bringing the food from the restaurant over to the small table in front of the couch.

“Here, go ahead and eat,” he said. “Oh, I almost forgot.” He handed me a plate before jumping up and getting something out of the refrigerator. “I got this for you when we were shopping.”

He handed me a bottle and after taking the lid off I took a drink. It was the same as we’d had at the restaurant. “Thank you, Flynn,” I said. Never had someone been so considerate to me.Everything he did showed me more than he would ever be able to say.

“I had fun in town, I’m sorry Vince was there and put a damper on things. I’ve never known anyone else who can literally walk into a room and make everyone miserable,” Flynn said and took a bite of pizza.

“I had fun too, especially the kissing,” I said making him smile.

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