Page 49 of 2204 Hunter Lane
That wasn’t even a diss, anyone could tell from the look of her mannerisms how much she hid herself from the world seeing her.
Every time I’d look at her speaking, she’d avert eye contact almost instantly, hold it for a few seconds then turn away again. She wrapped her arms around her like it was a safety blanket every time someone eyed her body, which was a damn sight to see so I couldn’t understand why.
I think she had a nervous twitch of scratching her nose which was the size of a peanut and as red as a cranberry.
But she shouldn’t hide it. She shouldn’t conceal anything about herself. And I wasn’t about to be the man who confirmed her suspicions about everyone else.
Nah, anyone deserved better than that. Especially Bambi.
Bless her fuckin’ heart.
Chapter Twenty-One
Marley
Ihalf expected to see Hunter in the weeks leading up to Christmas, but all those hopes were merely a waste of my time.
After Thanksgiving weekend, we hadn’t so much as spoken since parting ways at the cabin.
I really thought we got somewhere, or at the very least, made progress towards a potential friendship. But it was evidently clear he didn’t want one, otherwise I would’ve heard from him.
He had my number, I’d given it to him that day at the bar… the day I sliced open my past and laid it out on the table for him to examine.
Maybe that was his ploy. To get me to open up, and use my weaknesses against me. It wouldn’t be a surprising outcome. He did say something about me using him when he was belligerent that weekend.Well, who’s the user now?
I watched the heavy snowfall outside our warehouse window. We’d moved into the new space at Cutter’s Quarry a little over two weeks ago, and it was exactly what the business needed.
At this point, we were selling Dex’s handy-man tool kit as a prime merchandise and even hired four other employees to run an online shop for local deliveries. P&D’s had become everyone’s go-to hardware store and I was ecstatic to be along for the ride.
Adam and I had been texting a lot more, even spent a few nights on Netflix party together, marathoning the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. Even though I couldn’t physically see him, it felt good to have our relationship back.
It was slow, of course, considering my mom had in fact told him a bunch of bullshit about a life I was clearly not living. She somehow convinced him that I refused contact and renounced the family name which was absolutely ridiculous. Like always though, my brother had nothing but respect for me and my supposed wishes even though that was hardly the case, and stepped back from my life.
Although once I told him that Mom was spitting complete nonsense, he apologized profusely saying he would’ve never stayed away had he known. And to be fair, I never tried to reach out anyways. Whether it was fear or embarrassment of what he’d think of me, I, too, played a part in the detriment of our relationship.
But that was Harlow Matthews. If she didn’t get her way, she’d make sure you paid. Didn’t matter if I was her kin, I was as good as dead to her now that I wasn’t a marketing executive in New York. But to hell with her. I had my brother back.
He informed me that he was expecting a baby with Michelle, his fancy chef wife, who was due for delivery in sixteen weeks. The joy I felt in that moment was unlike any other.
“I’m going to be an aunt?” I screamed, bouncing on my heels like a freaking rabbit.
I didn’t care if I had to hide from my parents, wear a disguise or wiggle around like a secret spy to see Adam. I was going to be an aunt, and Satan himself couldn’t stop me from seeing my baby niece.
Christmas was right around the corner and I’d been invited to Cramer’s family dinner as well as Winter’s holiday spectacle. But when Payton had asked me to spend Christmas at the Lanes, it was a no-brainer.
On the morning of the twenty-fifth, I secured all the gifts in the trunk of my Malibu and started my journey towards the farmhouse.
On the drive over, I kept running scenarios through my head, imaging what possible situations could arise between Hunter and I.
Did he go back to hating me? Was he even going to be there? I wouldn’t have put it past him since he had a kink for reckless behaviour.Well, only time would tell.
The snow was coming down harder, practically covering my windshield with sleet as I parked my car in the driveway.
I unlocked my trunk, fishing for my window scraper when Dex’s voice sounded from the side of the house.
“Don’t worry ‘bout that, I can clean it off for ya later.” He said, walking towards me.
He was dressed in a heavy flannel jacket with a plaid button down underneath. His beard was trimmed nicely, giving him a more youthful look.
