Page 52 of Falling With a Spin

We approach the truck, and my Dad grabs our bags and places them in the back. It’s still the same one from when I was younger.

“Hey, Dad, thank you for picking us up. I know it’s late, but I really appreciate it,” I give him a side hug and step back. “By the way, this is my friend I told you about.” I look behind me and smile at my friend. “Dad, this is Hunter. Hunter, this is my Dad.”

“Nice to meet you, Sir” He reaches out his hand, and my dad looks at it, then back at Hunter. He grabs Hunter's hand, shakes it, and looks over at me with a questioning look.

Deterring the situation, I clap my hands together, “Alright, I’m really hungry and hoping that there are leftovers from dinner for us.” I walk in between them to the back passenger door and hop in. They both stay out there for a few more minutes before separating and getting into the truck.

We are pulling into the drive an hour later, and I look at the red brick house that I haven’t been to in years. The white picket fence, fake grass in the yard, and the white front door with a welcome sign hanging from it have stayed the same. There’s a pang in my chest; I never had a welcoming house like this growing up. Hunter grabs my hand, squeezing it. Even in the darkness, I can see his bright blue eyes looking at me and saying I'm right here with you.

When we walk through the front doors, the house is cloaked in darkness and quiet as my siblings sleep. My dad pats the wall for the light switch, flipping it on, and the light swallows up the darkness.

“I know you said you were hungry, so I can heat some food for you while you both get settled in your room. Our guest room is currently packed with storage, but your old room is still available for you both.” He says, looking at me with a small smile. “We redid it a little bit a couple of months back, but it still has some of your old things.”

I suck in a breath. They redid my room? “Actually, I just want to go to bed. I’m not all that hungry anymore.” I give him a small smile. “We can have breakfast in the morning, though.”

“Oh, okay, sounds good, little lady. Do you remember where it’s at?” He asks, and I nod my head. Even though I haven’t been here in years, it doesn’t mean I forgot what it was like. “Well, alright. You two get some sleep.” He turns around and walks down the hallway, turning left towards his and my stepmom's room.

I stand there watching where my Dad walked off to as guilt creeps in. Hunter threads his fingers through my hand, causing me to turn to him. “Let’s go to bed.”

Nodding my head, I lead us to my room.

Walking into the room is like traveling back in time but also not. The feel of the room is the same, but you can see the changes visibly.

There’s a brand new four-poster bed in the middle of the room with a gray and white comforter set and at least ten pillows. On each side are white oak nightstands that have two lamps controlled by the switch we turned on. Next to the door is a white dresser. Sitting on top of it are a few photos of me dancing, a few family trips I went on, and one of my siblings and me.

“I’m exhausted.” I continue to look around the room as Hunter places his hand on my back, rubbing circles.

“Let's get some sleep.” He grabs my hand and pulls me towards the bed, leaving our luggage at the door.

We climb into bed, still wearing our clothes from the airport and I fall asleep instantly with his arms around me.

Chapter 20

Emma

The light shining through the crack in the curtains at seven am isn’t what wakes us up. Caden comes running into the room, and I barely have enough time to figure out what is happening before he tackles me. This seven-year-old has so much strength to him that I swear he is going to cut off my air supply. I push him back a little and look him over, memorizing everything about him. He looks just like our father, with jet-black hair and bright blue eyes with some freckles across his nose and wears small glasses.

Caden leans in close to me, voice low, “Who is that?” He points over to the blue eyed, dark hair stranger that's leaning against the backboard.

“This is my friend, Hunter. He wanted to come visit because he heard so much about you and couldn’t wait to meet you.” I give Caden a big smile and pinch his cheeks. The shyness that runs in all of us comes out, and Caden stuffs his head into the crook of my neck, shaking his head no.

Hunter's booming laughter fills the room, and Caden peaks his head out, waving his small hand towards Hunter.

“Hey buddy, your amazing sister here has told me you like race cars and Disney movies. Is that right?" He asks him, Caden's black hair tickles my neck as he nods his head.

I’m about to suggest we head downstairs for breakfast when my stepmom starts calling for Caden. He climbs out of my arms once she appears at the door. Leslie smiles at me, walking into the room carrying over two cups of coffee and setting them down on the nightstand.

“I figured he would be in here with you.” She runs her hands down her top, flattening it out. “The second your Dad said your ‘Emma’ and arrived,” she smooths his black hair, “he went running down the hallway.”

A chuckle leaves me as Hunters hands me a mug, taking a sip, I let the coffee warm my body.

“Why don’t you two get dressed and come down to the kitchen when you are ready? Breakfast should be done shortly.” She throws me a wink while guiding Caden out of the room.

I get off the bed walking towards the luggage to pick out an outfit that isn’t from yesterday. I can hear Hunter as he follows behind me; his arm wraps around my waist, and I turn around, looking up at him. He brings his hand up to cup my cheek, I close my eyes, leaning into his touch and he brings his lips to mine, kissing me softly. It’s warm and ignites me inside, waking me up more than coffee could. Before I can deepen the kiss, he pulls back and grabs his bag.

“That’s not fair.” I pout and cross my arms over my chest.

“That's all you’re getting while we are in your Dad’s house.” He looks back at me while pulling out a black t-shirt. “I would love to kiss you more, but I feel lucky enough even to be sleeping in the same room as you.”

---