Page 63 of Falling With a Spin

“Thanks, Emma,” Justin mumbles and slaps the twenty into his brother's palm.

“You all are assholes,” Hunter mumbles, walking over to me.

“But you love us,” Matt cooes, and I throw a chip in his direction.

We all burst into laughter, and everything that I’ve been feeling - my new relationship with my dad, passing my classes, and incidents with Chad - all lift off my shoulders as I look around me. I have everything I need.

Looking at Hunter, my heart starts racing. This man right here came into my life and has turned my whole world upside down.

Chapter 23

Hunter

Have you ever wanted to give a gift to the most important person in your life, but as you scroll through online jewelry stores, various bookstores, and Etsy, yes, that's right, even Etsy, and nothing seems like the right fit?

That's my current situation. If I stare at my laptop long enough, an idea will pop into my head. I lean back into the couch, my head down as I run my hands down my face.

I look up to where Emma is currently behind the counter at LaLa’s Coffee & Sweets. Her brown hair is in a high ponytail with a few stray pieces framing her tan skin, and she wears a small smile on her face as she helps an elderly couple with the menu.

It’s one of my favorite traits about her.

She’s always so kind and warm to those around her. Even when they don’t deserve it, there is this glow about her, and when she walks into a room, she lights it up with her smile. Even if she doesn’t see it, they all turn to look at her, captivating the people around her. Captivated me with one snarky remark from that mouth of hers and I’ve been hooked.

If you told me a few weeks ago that I would be sitting here in a cafe, waiting for my girlfriend to get off work while searching for the perfect birthday present for her, I would probably have laughed at your face. I’ve never been one to actually date, only casual one night stands from here and there. There are only a few things that are important to me: my music and the guys. Then Emma came crashing into my life - literally - and things started to change. I began to care about things that are more than just music. Wanting to do better in my classes, have a better relationship with my family, and be a better singer, not just for her but for me as well. She inspires me to be better every day and to get up each day, even when things get rough.

What Emma went through, no one should ever experience that in their life. She gets up every morning and chooses herself, making sure she is doing what makes her happy. The day we ran into each other in the hallway, and I walked with her out into the quad, I was shocked to see him talking to her. I couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that he could say the things he did or even do what he did to her.

Punching him in the face was too nice of me to do. He deserves more than just that, but eventually, he will get what he deserves.

I look back at the Barnes and Noble website as the romance section stares back at me. She loves romance books and the smutty shit in them, but I want to get her something that's different and unique. It needs to scream, Emma.

When we were visiting her Dad in Arizona, he mentioned her birthday was approaching. I was a little shocked she hadn’t told me. It took some convincing to get it out of her. Going on saying how she doesn’t want anything and that she doesn’t celebrate her birthday much or even like it for that matter. I made her a promise that I wouldn’t do anything outrageous or spectacular, only if she told me the date. She had caved so easily and grumbled December thirteen.

Now, that was a few weeks ago, and I only have a week left to find a present. I’m so fucked.

“Hey, handsome.” I look up from my screen to see beautiful hazel eyes staring down at me. Emma holds her apron in her hands with her hair out of the ponytail and cascading down her back. She looks at me with that bright smile that causes my heart to skip a beat.

“Hello, beautiful.” I close my laptop, standing up and giving her a quick kiss.

She doesn’t let me go easy, though. Her hand grabs the front of my shirt, pulling me back into her. A low growl comes from me, and I nip at her bottom lip before pulling away from her. If we don’t stop, I will have her bent over this coffee table, and we are in a very public place, her workplace, to be exact. “Later, I promise,” I whisper. That's a promise I will be fulfilling along with many others.

I pack up my belongings, shoving my laptop in my bag, and take her hand in mine. “What were you working on?” She asks, pointing to my bag in my hand. “You looked really flustered anytime I turned around.”

I’m not sure if it’s a flaw or a blessing, but I’m terrible t at keeping secrets. My hands get clammy, and I stutter, it was terrible growing up. “J-just some school work.” Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

“Okay.” I breathe a sigh of relief as she doesn’t bug me.

“Are you hungry?” Her head turns towards me, and my breath catches. The sun hits her eyes just right, giving off a hazel-green look, to them. All I can do is just smile.

“Hunter? Hello?”

Oh fuck.

“Sorry, what did you say?” A sheepish smile crosses my face.

“I said I was thinking we could go back to the Diner that we were at last week and actually get something to eat this time.”

I shake my head, a small laugh leaving me as I open her door, “Yeah, that sounds good.” I run over to my side and throw my bag in the back before starting the car and pulling out of the parking lot.

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