Page 51 of Always You

“I told you I’m boring.”

I look down at her, my eyes dripping with unspoken words. “You are far from boring, babe.”

“Come on.” She pushes her shoulder against my ribs. “What about you?”

You.My dream is you. “I’ll tell you when I find out.”

17

Ihate these days but today is a lot more bearable with Hunter by my side.

Holding Mama’s arm, I help her down the porch steps while Hunter parks his truck in the driveway. My belly flutters when he shoots me a wink in greeting as he rounds the truck to hold the door open for her. She waggles closer, her frame looking more fragile with every step. Chemo hit her hard this time.

Last week, she barely came out of bed, her muscles too weak to hold up her head, and she’s only halfway through the treatment.

Hunter has been here every night. He says it’s because he has nothing better to do, but I know it’s because he’s keeping an eye on me. Making sure I’m okay.

I am when he’s around.

“Good morning, ma’am.” Hunter gives her a formal nod, and I let out a chuckle at his overly polite behavior while stealing a glance at his bruised knuckles from his latest fight. I know it’s genuine, but it’s also a trait he doesn’t bring out for everyone, and I love that he does so for my mother.

“Morning, Hunter.” She lets go of my arm, waving her pale hand in the air. “I can go in the backseat, it’s okay.”

“No, ma’am. The best seat we save for the best girl.” A boyish grin splits his face that makes that damn flutter slice through my stomach again, the twinkle in his eyes not helping matters.

“You heard him, Charlotte. Get in.” She attempts to shove me toward the passenger seat, but I plant my feet in the grass, shaking my head.

“He doesn’t meanme, Mama. I’m pretty sure he means you.”

“She’s right. This girl wouldn’t be here without you, so you automatically triumph over her.” Any other girl might have been offended, but for me, it’s the opposite. It only swells my heart to epic proportions. I fold my arms in front of my body, nodding my head in agreement while her face moves back and forth between the both of us.

“I’m too tired for this discussion.” She shoots us an amused glare, then gets herself into the truck. Hunter gives me a questioning look while we watch her struggle, but I softly shake my head. It’s a big effort for her to climb into the damn thing, her lack of energy being as heavy as a ball of chain, but I get into the backseat without helping her, knowing she wants to do it by herself.

Following my lead, Hunter climbs behind the wheel.

“Thank you for taking us, Hunter.” Mama pats his hand when we are on our way to the hospital, while I watch the conversation unfold between the both of them from the backseat.

“My pleasure, ma’am.”

“Please, call me Liz,” she tells him, but he reluctantly shakes his head.

“I don’t know, ma’am. My mom might not be doing a superb job at parenting right now, but my dad taught me some common rules, and he would turn around in his grave if I start calling you by your first name after such a short time.”

“I think he’d make an exception when he knows how important you are to my daughter, won’t he? Practically makes you family.”

Hunter turns his face toward her with a look I can’t really decipher, then quickly glances over his shoulder. Pinning browneyes collide with mine, my pulse a jackhammer for no more than two beats, before he twists his head back.

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Good. Then from now on, it’s Liz.” There’s a smug tone in Mama’s voice, letting us know this is the end of the conversation, and I stifle a laugh.

Mama likes Hunter. She doesn’t say a lot about him, and she barely asks. But its in her eyes, in the way she talks to him, and the fact that she treats him like he belongs with us, no matter what time of day it is. She makes him feel welcome, and it means the world. To himandto me.

It takes us no longer than ten minutes before we arrive at the oncology department of the hospital, and I help my mom settle in while Hunter quietly looks around him. The room holds four armchairs, each with an IV stand, even though only one is occupied. He’s never gone with us before.

Normally, he just drops us off or waits for me back at the house while I take his truck. But this time, he insisted on coming. Said that he wanted to be there for me through the good and the bad. I was thrilled he offered, thinking he’d be a welcoming distraction from all the dreadful faces that roam around the hospital, but taking one glance at his troubled expression makes me wonder if that was a mistake.

“You okay?” I mouth to him when he flicks his gaze up to mine, and he replies with a nod. The silence is taken away when the only woman in the room dramatically clears her throat.

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