Page 82 of 2204 Hunter Lane
My palms pressed against the cold wall as I inhaled a breath, drifting off to the thought of big brown eyes. Only this time they weren’t looking up at me…
They were looking down.
???
After my hike with Josh, we decided to hit up Blu’s ice cream parlor for some half priced shakes. Wednesdays were always discounted menu items, and I was craving something cold.
“Can I try yours?” Josh asked, sipping some light pink foam out of his straw.
“Fuck no, you got your own.”
He pouted, staring at the strawberry cotton candy toothache in his cup. “Yours is better, Hunt. It’s always better.”
I smirked with pride. “You’re damn right about that.”
The Square wasn’t usually this busy in the afternoon, but they had some flea market thing going on downtown so the streets were bustling with people.The worst outcome imaginable.
“You know how many kids I gotta dodge when this fruity bullshit goes on?” I cursed, pointing to the pack of tents conglomerated in a circle.
“Lighten up, man. It’s all for fun and –” his words cut abruptly as he drew my arm and spun me around.
I yanked out of his grasp and continued my original pace, walking the path I had been earlier. “The fuck’s your problem, man?”
“Hunt,” he chastised. “Don’t make a scene.”
“What are you –”
Ha-ha. Oh fuck. Oh fuckin’ fuck now I got it.
Walking towards the flea market was Marley and Winter, arms linked with a gleeful grin on their faces. My jaw tightened as they came nearer, and she halted her movements at my recognition.
I swallowed hard, attempting to control the rage boiling inside of me as her brown eyes met mine, pleading and innocent but hidden with malice. Malice she concealed so well that it blindsided me for months.
“Hunter, if you’re gon’ walk, just walk.” Josh dragged my arm once more but I shrugged off his hold.
“I’ll walk on my own, damnit.” I snapped.
Winter huddled closer to Marley as if I were a gunman on the loose and she needed protection. No, Marley was the fuckin’ villain here, not me. Guess she got Winter wrapped around her finger too.
We were close now, close enough where I caught a whiff of lavender and honey, the scent I used to soak in when she was near. But now, it was a tainted reminder of all the bullshit she had on me. The memories I wish I could ravage and destroy, all because of her.
I was passing her now.Just keep walking, Hunter. Head up, eyes straight. Walk on, walk on, walk –
“Hunter…”
Her voice. Her fucking innocent Bambi voice; it caught me like a deer in the headlights when that was supposed to be her. Not me,HER.
“Hunt,” Josh gripped my sleeve and I broke.
“See that bin, Josh? Yeah, the bin next to Cleaver’s? I’ll throw ya in that fuckin’ bin if you put your hands on me one more time.”
“Man, you need to fucking relax.” He shot, turning his attention to Marley as she stood now inches away from me. “Babe, now’s not a good time to be talkin’ to him, alright? Just go on off, enjoy your day.”
But like usual, Marley didn’t listen and proceeded against Josh’s warning.
“Hunter, can we talk? Please? I have so much to say and I –”
Bite your tongue. Bite your fuckin’ tongue.“Are you fucked?”Well, there goes that.
