Page 68 of 2204 Hunter Lane
“Nine!”
Our entire booth shook as Winter, Cramer, Josh, Hunter and I bounced out of our seats and made our way to the flat screen T.V at the bar, watching the ball drop at Times Square.My home. Where my brother was probably sipping hot chocolate with his pregnant wife. Where my dad and mom were off playing poker with a team of businessmen. Where I didn’t belong. Where I never belonged.
Hunter gripped my hand, glancing at me with shimmering eyes before engaging in the countdown chant.
“Six!”
“Five!”
Winter and Cramer were shoulder to shoulder, cheering on the horde around us as Josh swooped his arm around a raven haired woman.
“Three!”
“Two!”
This was my home now. These people. This life.Goodbye past, cheers to a new beginning.
“Happy New Year!”
The bar howled in celebration, kissing and embracing everyone around them. Tons of people chugged their drinks, jumping up and down once they’d finished.
Winter and Cramer hugged, swaying in each other’s arms while Josh was fully making out with the raven haired girl.
How was I seeing this you may ask? How was I observing everyone’s intimate actions so well as the clock struck midnight? Well, no one was kissing me, I was sure about that.
I was too afraid to look at Hunter, too embarrassed. I couldn’t tell you what I was doing in that moment. Probably standing there like an awkward, single, bozo who expected something that didn’t happen. Of course, once again, I let my clouded desires fog the truth of my relationship with Hunter.
There wasn’t one.
And I couldn’t be upset about it. I couldn’t be, because what did I expect? That we’d go from hating each other, to tolerating each other, to kissing on New Year’s Eve.Delusional, Marley. That’s what you are.
I took in the blur of motions around me, a glossy sheen sweeping over my eyes when a firm arm wrapped around my waist, drawing me towards them.
“Happy New Year’s, sweetheart.” Hunter’s cologne infiltrated my senses as I leaned into him, craving his touch even if he didn’t want it.
But as the music restarted and the crowd of people began to disperse, I stood there, in his arms, holding onto the fabric of his shirt.
A gentle press of soft lips touched my forehead as Hunter pulled me in closer, leaning down to my ear.
“Not yet, Bambi.” He whispered. “We got time.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Hunter
Amonth and a half since New Year’s.
A month and a half since P&D’s was voted the number one hardware store in the state. At the end of January, my dad and Payton got in touch with some old friends across Nebraska, asking if they wanted to open a few branches in their areas. Obviously they agreed, who wouldn’t want to manage a six figure business?
So now, P&D’s was a chain? Sorta? Fuck if I knew how that worked but we were selling.
A month and a half since that goddamn ball dropped on T.V and the start of new opportunities, new life, neweverythingbreathed into me.
And forty-five days since Bambi and I officially became friends; no strings attached, no snarky remarks… just a raw, honest,friendship.
Unexpected, of course. But I had the time of my fucking life at Cid’s with her by my side. She looked like a dream, and with all the bitterness that blossomed between us, it was somewhat hard to admit that out loud. But that night, all I wanted to do was claim her. In what way? Fuck if I knew. But when she was close, I wanted to be closer. And that settles that.
So I did. I stuck by and loved every second of this friendship I dismissed for so long.
