Page 91 of Tangled Up In You
After getting off the couch, I plugged my phone into the stereo before selecting a music playlist and hitting play.
I loved a variety of music, so it played Five Finger Death Punch and then right after a Johnny Cash song came on. I lay on the couch and was almost asleep when I heard the next song start to play. And just like that, my eyes started stinging, and I flipped to my side, hugging a pillow to my chest.
Tangled Up In Youby Staind.
Back in high school, it’d been mine and Hunter’s song. One time when we’d been making out in my truck, pulled off on the side of the road like we used to do all the time, it had come on the radio. I’d sung it to him under my breath as he laid his head on my shoulder.
After we’d had our falling out, it had seemed to play everywhere, as if reminding me of what I’d lost.
Little did I know how much those lyrics would actually come to be true. Seven years without him, and I was still completely wrapped up in him. Today, tomorrow, and until my heart stopped beating, I’d always belong to him.
***
Nearly two weeks later, I received some news that had the potential to change the course I’d set for my future. The plan had been to play one last season and then meet the degree requirements to coach high school football. To settle down with Hunter and live the American dream—well the dream I’d come to realize I wanted. One of a small town, spending each day with the love of my life and growing old with him.
And then those plans sort of did a one-eighty on me.
I was offered three more years with the Raptors, and that included a four million dollar signing bonus.
“You don’t have to accept right now,” I was told. “We need an answer by June, though.”
Hunter was on his way to Kansas City—he was driving instead of flying since it was only a five hour trip—and I sat outside on my balcony, waiting for him. And yeah, stressing out a little bit.
Once again…something was threatening to get in the way of our happily ever after.
When I’d made the move to Willow and started planning out a different course for my future, I’d really believed I was going to be released from the Raptors. That my contract would run up, and I’d do something else with my life. I never thought they’d want to extend that contract.
It was as if I was being tested or something.
I had a flashback of the day by the lake when I told Hunter I was going to attend USC. That I was leaving him behind. More than anything I wanted to erase the memory from existence, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t forget the hurt in his brown eyes when I shoved him to the ground and told him he’d never make anything of himself.
He might’ve been the one to break up with me over the phone, butI’dbeen the one that set it all into motion. The spark that had ignited the flame.
My phone vibrated, pulling me from the past.
Hunter:Hey you. I just pulled in.
Reading his text, my worries went to the back of my mind, and I jogged outside to meet him. He’d just gotten out of the car when I neared him and wrapped my arms around his waist, drawing him to my chest.
“Cor, what—”
I kissed him, cutting off his words, and the piece of me that I’d left with him was finally back in place. Whole once more.
Hunter moaned against my lips and tangled his fingers in my shirt, holding me close. He hadn’t shaved in a few days, and his stubble tickled me as I moved from his mouth and kissed along his jaw.
Leaving his luggage in the car, we went into the house before working our way to my bedroom. We bumped into the furniture along the way as we grabbed at each other’s bodies and kissed.
I needed him too much to think of anything else, and by the way he attacked my mouth and pulled at my clothes as we went down the hall, I knew he felt the same.
Once we got to the room, we wasted no time before stripping out of our clothes and collapsing together on the bed. I’d wanted to make love to him and not rush the moment since it’d been so long since I’d seen him, but I was too fucking horny.
Thank god he was too.
“Fuck me, Cor,” he demanded, digging his fingers into my hip as I settled between his spread legs.
“I like it when you’re bossy,” I said with a grin before grazing my teeth down his neck and farther down to his chest. I swirled my tongue around his nipple while I tweaked the other with my hand. “And when you moan.”
He arched his back and flung his head back on the mattress, giving me a delicious view of his Adam’s apple and strong neck. My gaze moved from his throat and to his toned chest, and I smoothed my hand down his ribs as I watched him writhe beneath me.
