Page 62 of Baby, It's You
“Dude, I didn’t think you had it in you.Shy little Hunterhas some power behind his punch.”
Hunter ignores this as he leans towards Dennis. Jabbing a finger into his chest, he says so quietly I almost can’t hear, “Get your shit and leavenow. I don’t want to see you until you get your life together. You have ten minutes to get everything out before I throw your belongings on the lawn.”
The venom in his voice causes Dennis to stop laughing and he almost looks fearful. Hunter backs away as Dennis quickly pushes around him and begins walking towards the hallway.
When he sees me standing there, he sneers as blood drips from his face to his shirt. “Congratulations, Olive. He must really like you. I've never seen him like that.”
I hurry past him before he can say anything else to me.
When I make eye contact with Hunter, he shakes out his hand and clenches his knuckles. “I’m so sorry about that,” he says.
I look down at his hand and walk towards him quickly. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine.” He also looks down towards his fingers and then meets my eyes. His own are piercing and sincere. “If you heard anything he said, please ignore the comments. Dennis is a mess. The whole family knows it.”
I nod my head and look down at the wood floor. “It’s okay. I know I can be a bitch; I was one to you last night.” My throat feels tight with the confession.
“No, it’s not okay.” Hunter gently touches my chin and lifts my head so my eyes meet his once more. “No one should ever speak about you that way. Do you understand me?”
I dip my head in response as his hand still rests on my face. I feel myself lean into his touch. “I hate that Tripp talks down to you and that I can't do anything about it right now. I won't allow one of my family members to disrespect you. That’s something Icancontrol.”
I listen in silence as he continues, “I understand now why you left last night; you got swept up in the moment. It’s my fault for wanting you when you made it clear you only see me as a friend.”
As he says the words, I feel a bitter taste in my mouth. The lies I keep telling myself are beginning to swirl around inside me like a disease. I shake my head as he continues to make excuses for my actions.
“No, no,” I tell him, cutting him off. “I wanted to kiss you last night. I made the move.” I take a deep breath as his eyes stare into mine with such intensity that I want to confess my deepest thoughts. “Hunter, I do like you. I like you, too.”
Hearing those words, his dark eyes illuminate and his expression grows hopeful.
I stammer, “But I can’t date you right now. Maybe one day, but not while I’m trying to figure everything out with my life.”
He reaches out and takes my hand as I continue, “It wouldn’t be fair to you, for us to be together when I have so many things to deal with right now. I can’t even get my emotions in check, so I can’t be a partner to someone.” I breathe deeply. “If you want to wait for when I’m ready to be with you, then great. But if you don’t, I understand that, too. I’ve always told myself that if I ever chose to be in a relationship, I was going to go in as my best self. I’m never going to date someone to provide myself shelter, like my mother, or because I can’t handle being alone…” I look downthe hallway and then whisper, “Like Ivy has done. I need to stand on my two feet securely before I can be with you.”
Hunter absorbs everything I’m telling him. “Okay. I’ll wait,” he says matter-of-factly. Like it’s that simple.
“I understand if you find someone else in the meantime. I can’t tell you how long it will take me to be ready.”
He draws me into his arms and looks down at me, a small smile playing on his lips.
“Olive, don’t you understand? I would wait a lifetime for you. You’re incredible. I wantyou.”
I sink into his arms at those words, holding him tight. The connection between us consumes me. His arms wrap around me even tighter, and I bury my head in his chest. I inhale deeply and he laughs. “You might not want to do that. I haven’t showered.”
I laugh, too. “I don’t mind. I just like you,” I tell him softly.
It feels so good to finally admit it to myself. I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders, now that he knows my true feelings. With everything on the table, I don’t have to worry about hurting him because the ball is now in his court. He can choose to wait or move on if he finds someone else. Would it wreck me if he did? Yes, but it wouldn’t be fair to not give him a choice. I want him to be happy, and I have dealt with heartbreak my whole life—maybe not from boys I’ve dated, but from my parents. I can handle not being chosen by someone I care for. I always find a way to stay strong.
Suddenly, the door slams behind us while I’m still in Hunter’s embrace, and I realize Dennis just walked out the front door.
We both pull apart and look towards the sound. “Don’t worry, he won’t be staying here anymore. I’m done making excuses for him,” Hunter tells me.
At that I release a wide, relieved smile. “That’s the best news I’ve heard all day.”
Chapter 43
Hunter
The past four weeks with Olive have been incredible. Time feels like it’s flying by. Now that we have laid everything out on the table, there’s a level of comfort and intimacy between us that feels even more natural. Knowing that she likes me back, that I’m not alone in my feelings, has made my heart full. I feel myself falling in love with her and know that I’m so lucky to have her in my life. I will wait forever if I must for her to be ready to be with me.
