Page 85 of 2204 Hunter Lane
Chapter Thirty-Three
Hunter
Payton brought me six letters over the past two months. Six all from Marley.
The first four times she was optimistic, knocking at my front door with a wide smile on her face.
“Marley sent another one.” She’d said, gripping tightly of the tiny white envelopes, hope flooding her eyes.
All four times I’d taken them, crumpled them up right in front of her and shut the door.
I wasn’t trying to take my anger out on Payton, but she was a direct link to the NYC brat who condemned me to a shallow life for two months, so I needed to send a message.
But tonight, tonight was the night I’d be free of the shackles and could reintegrate into society. Society being Cid’s Pub, that is.
After speaking to Kenton over the phone, he said he did in fact hear what that fuck face said to Marley and scratched me off the bar ban.Bartenders weren’t made for fighting, Hunters on the other hand…
Josh and I got to Cid’s at nine, scoring the last table available on a Friday night.
“Happy to be back?” He asked, stretching out his arms.
I glanced around the crowded room, spying all the drunks back and better than ever. Or they were always the same and I never took in the moment like I should’ve.That’s what happens when you take advantage of things; you never appreciate the beauty of ‘em when they’re right in front of you.And Cid’s, my oh my was she fuckin’ fine.
“The happiest,” I replied.
I began updating Josh on the approaching harvest season when a waitress came up to our table, dressed in a white tank top and black leggings. Her face was a bit forgettable but her red hair wasn’t, and that’s when I instantly recognized her as the server who brought us drinks on New Year’s Eve.
I remember that night like it was yesterday. Bambi, fuck –Marley, Marley was in my fuckin’ head again. She’d only been here six months and everywhere I went was a goddamn reminder.
“Haven’t seen ya in a while, Hunter.” She smiled, sliding out her notepad.
“How d’you know me?” I poised, scanning her head to toe.
She threw me an ‘are you serious’expression and shook her head as I shrugged.
“You beat a guy up once and all of a sudden you’re the talk of the town.”
Josh bubbled in laughter as the waitress chuckled to herself.
“I wasn’t workin’ that night, but Kenton gave me the run down. Don’t blame ya, sugar.”
The corner of my lips curved into a smile as I scooted closer to the edge of the booth. “I kinda like you.”
She pet my shoulder and threw me a golden grin. “I got a boyfriend over seas, and Britt claimed ya. Good effort though, Hunter. Drinks?”
I grumbled in annoyance as Josh ordered two whiskey’s and four shots of Jager.
The waitress tapped the table with her long acrylics and headed off to the staff quarters. I didn’t mean to flirt, it just came out of me. And hey, if she decided to give me a go I wouldn’t have refused but I respected the loyalty.
“Jager tastes like tar, man.” I released, taking a glance around the room. I couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was watching me, or following me or some shit. It was weirding me out.
“Tastes like liquorice to me.” Josh combatted. “When you gettin’ your truck back?”
“I just got to change my tires then I’m good to get the baby on the road.”
Josh slapped my back, pushing my shoulder forward. “You know the saying ‘April showers brings May flowers?’Well, April showers brings Hunter Lane back – man of the fuckin’ hour!”
I glared at him like he’d killed my hamster with a thumbtack. “That’s was the dumbest shit I’ve ever heard.”
