Page 4 of Always You

Hearing him call me Charls warms my body in a way no one ever can. It rolls off his tongue so effortlessly, sounding like music to my ears, a tune only allowed from his lips.

I let my thoughts bounce around in my brain like a tennis match, weighing out the pros and cons, even though I already know what the outcome will be. Temptation drags me under to at least find out if we can somewhat resolve what he threw in the trash.

If maybe there’s a tiny chance we can be friends again.

“No dates.” I firmly shake my head. I can’t give him that much, because I might as well give him my heart so he can toss it through a shredder.

“Babe,” he pleads, but I’m not giving him even an inch more.

“That ship has sailed, Hunter.” I firmly tell him. “But I’ll give you eight days to convince me you’re still my friend.” I let out my breath, regretting the words as soon as they left my mouth.

This is the worst idea ever.

But I can’t help myself.

When we first crossed that line all those years ago, I knew one thing. I wanted to keep my friend, more than anything. And when I look past all the heartbreak, I still want that. I still want our nights at the creek and hanging out in his car.

I still miss my friend.

“Best friend.”

“Let’s just start with friends, okay?” I scold.

“Fine, but we are calling them dates. And I want eight full days, morning until evening.”

Cocky son of a bitch, always has to push his luck.

“Oh God, what the fuck will I tell Ben?” I mutter to no one in particular, throwing my hands up in the air.

“Tell him your best friend is back in town.”

“You’re not my best friend until you’ve proven yourself.” My head wags as I realize how I don’t even fully understand what that means anymore.

Firmly, he trails his arm around my waist while he presses his body against my side. His lips press flush to my ear, his touch making me gasp for air. I close my eyes to not fall apart in his arms when his husky voice rumbles in my ear.

“Before those eight dates are over, I will have proven to be so much more than your best friend, babe.” He places a quick peck on my hair. “I’ll see you soon.”

Faster than I want, he lets go of my body, annoyance rippling from my body by the loss of his touch. Anger grows in my chest, cursing myself at how quickly my senses are sparked alive by him.

“You’re an asshole.”

He backs away with a cocky grin on his face and shoots me another wink.

“I am. But I’m your asshole,” he agrees, then turns around, walking out of the bar like he owns the goddamn place. I stare at him with my pulse pounding in my ears, until he’s moving through the door and out of my sight.

What the fuck just happened?

I fill my lungs, trying to control my racing heart. Burying my face in my hands, a grunt erupts from my throat.

He’s back.

HunterfuckingHansen is back.

They say you don’t get more on your plate than you can handle. Yeah, well I’d like to speak to the manager, because my plate is fucking full. It’s overflowing, falling from the sides and I want a new plate.

My lips roll to a thin line before I find Julie’s judgy look.

Her heart-shaped face rests in her palm, and I detect a hint of amusement in her gaze.

---