Page 160 of Always You

“I’m not.” I keep a straight face, showing her I’m serious, and her lips part, breaths becoming shallower. The tension builds, rapidly and steadily. It’s undeniable and impossible to brush aside. But even though I want to close the distance between us and wrap her in my arms where she belongs, I don’t.

Not yet.

“I’m not gonna try anything, Charls.” I shake my head.

I’m not going to push her to do something she’s not comfortable with. I waited seven years. I can wait a few more days, or weeks, or months, or however long she needs.

But really, I’ll wait forever if I have to.

Her eyes keep piercing through me, drumming up my heart beat a little faster.

Finally, the corner of her mouth quirks, and her muscles relax, the tension transforming into the comfort that represents our friendship.

“How’s your mother?”

I chuckle as I lift my snapback from my head, throwing it back onto the pebbles on the shore, then run a hand through my short hair.

“How is it she’s been treating you like trash since you met her, but you still ask how she’s doing?”

“I don’t know. Because I’m nice?” She shrugs, her eyebrows raised in question.

“You are nice, Charls. You’retoonice.” I hold her gaze, until lips purse with somewhat of an agreeing hum before I continue. “She’s good. Still the Wicked Witch of the East, but she’s good.”

She cocks her head, narrowing her eyes at me.

“What?”

“This is the first time in all those years that you’re not talking about your mother in a bitter tone.”

My brows raise, a smug grin forming on my face. It’s been ten years, but yeah, I’m proud when I think of my mother. Not our relationship, as that’s not something to be proud of, but I am proud of how I did my best to accept the situation. How I found a little bit of peace amongst the chaos. Pushing my bitterness aside so it wouldn’t consume me.

“I know.”

“What happened?”

I take a step closer, less than a yard away from her, and I hold still, the water showing small ripples as I wait for her response to my movement. When she just blinks her lashes at me in anticipation, I open my mouth.

“I went into therapy.”

“You did?” I nod.

“Mmhmm, I thought it was finally time to get rid of my demons. Go through some old pain. Figure some shit out.”

“Why?” Her gaze is open and interested as I take a deep breath to answer her question.

“Because eleven months and fourteen days ago, something happened. Something that fucked up my life, and I knew I needed to fix it. But first, I had to fix myself.”

Her eyes slightly widen, and she bites her lip, her hands suddenly frozen on top of the water.

“So, I did,” I continue, ignoring her reaction. “I didn’t drink for six months, upped my workout schedule, and I went to therapy. She helped me deal with the death of my dad and Logan, and helped me find a way to live with my mother, without anger.”

“I don’t know what to say. That’s amazing, Hunter.”

“Thanks, Charls.” We stare at each other, smiling, the memories of our last time here rushing through my head. The warmth of her body against mine, her cheek resting on my shoulder. My arms wrapped around her back.Our first kiss.

She splatters water toward me with a soft giggle, as if she can read my mind. “Don’t even think about it, Hansen.”

“Think about what, Charls?” I mimic her move, splashing water in her face, and she lets out a playful squeal before our movements erupt, splashing as much water at each other as possible, letting out cries of laughter in between.

---