Page 34 of One More Time

I huffed a laugh. I could practically hear his voice in my head.

“Something funny?”

I looked to my side to see Hunter dressed in his jeans, handing me a wet washcloth. I took it and wiped my chest clean.

“Just Cal demanding my attendance for coffee. No doubt to tell me way too much information on his hookup from last night.”

Hunter nodded, something indiscernible flickering in his eyes. I chose to ignore it and instead got myself dressed. I fired off a response to Cal, pausing to listen to the girls. I knocked and waited for them to declare themselves decent before pulling it open. Both girls were dressed, cuddled together and both wearing the same blissed out smile.

“Where are you off to Ty?” Kinsley asked.

“To see Cal. He owes me coffee after consecrating our dorm.”

“We’ll come with you,” Kinsley gave me a broad smile.

“Well, if the girls are coming, can I tag along? I’m starving.” I looked over my shoulder to see Hunter leaning in the doorframe, bracketing me with his strong arms. My eyes betrayed me, drinking him in hungrily. Fuck me. My attraction to him was going to be the death of me. Hunter, like always, read my thoughts and pulled his bottom lip between his teeth. Torture, looking at him every day was going to be torture.

I nodded, too scared to speak as my body reacted to him. There was no doubt my voice would give me away. I looked away from him, catching knowing grins from both the girls. I rolled my eyes.

“Come on,” I told them. “No doubt Cal is itching to spill the beans about last night.”

“Hopefully that’s the only thing itching,” Hunter cracked. I smacked his chest, trying to deny the fact that his laughter was the most beautiful sound I’d ever heard.

Kelsey kept a firm grip on my hand as she pulled me through the house. In the midst of the bustling crowd, I couldn’t help but notice Kinsley’s playful antics with Hunter. Jealousy prickled under my skin, but I quickly redirected my attention forward, feigning interest in a girl who met my gaze.

Kelsey being the skilled actress she was, smoothly maneuvered my arm around her, placing my hand strategically close to her chest. The room erupted into catcalls, adding to the electric atmosphere. To play along, Kelsey drew me even closer to create an illusion of intimacy. She sealed the act with a kiss on my cheek, accompanied by a look of sheer adoration that masked the inner turmoil I felt.

I whispered my gratitude in her ear, but I couldn’t shake the burning in my chest. The words clashed with the uncomfortable truth settling in the spot inside me where Hunter had taken up residence. The façade was taking its toll, and with every step, the lie burrowed itself deeper into the tangled web of emotions.

Cal sat in the cozy corner booth in the back of the café, his eyes lighting up when he spotted me. He sprang to his feet with infectious enthusiasm, excitedly waving me over. Despite the somber undertones that clouded my mood, I couldn’t help but smile.

Cal’s energy was contagious, breaking through the anxiety that had a death grip on me. The warmth in his greeting worked its way into my disposition, momentarily lifting the weight that had settled on my shoulders.

“Someone’s in a good mood.” I accepted the hug that he threw in my way, his arms wrapping around my neck as he bounced in my grip.

“You made my night. If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t have met and slept with the man of my dreams.”

His grin lit up the room. He pulled back and gestured to the table, where my omelet and coffee sat waiting for me.

“I even got them to make it with egg whites. It took a lot of bribing, but anything for my future best man.”

I chuckled, trying to bite back my concern—and a comment about him hopping into this like a kangaroo on a freeway. I looked behind me and saw Hunter’s gaze, his darkened eyes slanted as he looked at Cal.

“Too soon to be jumping into wedding planning, don’t you think, Cal?” Hunter nudged him, but Cal didn’t let skepticism sway him.

“You two grumpy butts can keep your negativity to your side of the booth, I will bathe in the light of optimism that I’ve met my soulmate.”

We all settled into the booth: Hunter to my side, Kinsley to his left and Kelsey beside Cal, we ate our food while Cal spilled every sordid detail of his evening. It was more than once—he made that abundantly clear. A permanent flush seemed to cling to my cheeks throughout the entire ordeal. Hunter’s presence beside me felt like a constant source of distraction, his wandering gaze creating an uncomfortable awareness. I tried to dismiss the sensation of his knee pressed against mine, even though the warmth of his thigh seemed to burn through both layers of denim.

As the awkward atmosphere persisted, Hunter’s whispered words cut through the ambient noise, sending shivers down my neck. “He thinks this is hot, but it doesn’t top us last night.” The provocative statement hung in the air, an arousing reminder of the intimate encounter we shared. My elbow met his stomach, but he simply chuckled.

A pout involuntarily formed on my lips as I realized that Hunter’s ability to grate on my emotions had become a recurring theme. The delicate dance of tension and humor between us only added another layer to the complex emotions swirling within.

Cal gave us a sideways glance—one that told me exactly what we’d be talking about behind closed doors.

“There I was talking about chemistry, and you were burning my fire with the electricity between you and Hunter. You fucked again.”

“And yet again, Cal, I don’t talk about my sex life.” The sharpness in my tone was uncalled for, and Cal’s expression told me as much.

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