Page 91 of Always You

“I want to! Of course I fucking want to. But they got me an entire team to work with. A trainer, a coach, food specialist, even set me up with some kind of media chick. They’re putting me on a tight schedule for the rest of the summer. Starting tomorrow. They even agreed to take Jason on as my PR-guy. Giving him a contract as the one controlling my social media while he still goes to Stanford.”

“Oh,” she says quietly, the sound cutting like a knife right into my aorta. “That's great, Hunt.”

You know how you can feel when people are happy for you, and when they are just bullshitting you? That’s the thing with Charlotte. I know she isn’t bullshitting me. She’s thrilled for me, supporting me to the core, but I can sense the hurt that I know is going through her body. She’d never voice it, refusing to be the one to hold me back, but after the last week, I know pieces are getting scraped off her kind heart.

Because that’s how I feel. That’s how my heart grows more black and cold inside my chest. With complete and utter agony that’s felt within every molecule of my being.

“I’m sorry, Charls,” I offer, closing my eyes to imagine her gorgeous face. “I’m so sorry. I really thought we could at least have a few more days.”

“Hunter Hansen.” The tone in her voice is reprimanding, and I can imagine the slight frown on her forehead that makes me chuckle every time. “Don’t you dare apologize for following your dreams. This is what you’re supposed to do, and I want you to go and grab it. Show the world you’re the world’s bestfighter, ready to kick anyone’s ass who tells you otherwise. Don’t you worry about me. I’m still me. We’re still us, right? We can visit each other. And I’ll cheer you on, screaming at the TV. Besides, you need to gain some fans so you can include those pay-per-views in your contract. Make sure you bring in the big money.”

I chuckle. “As soon as I bring in the big money, I’m flying you out here.”

“You fucking better.”

“I will.”

“Hey, Hunt?” I hum in response. “Just have fun. Enjoy it all.” I hear what she’s saying between the lines, but I don’t want to register it. The thought of continuing on without her tears me up inside. “Please?” she adds.

“Okay,” I concede, but only because I don’t want to make her feel worse than she’s already feeling. Than I’m already feeling. I let out a deep sigh, knowing I’ll miss her more than anything, but she’s right. I need to focus.

“Best friends forever, right?”

Nodding at her words, I stare at my faint reflection in the window. “Yeah. Best friends forever.”

“Good. Stop sulking then,” she says, a finality in her tone.

I let out a chuckle, walking back to the couch, flopping myself onto it.

“Fine.” Rubbing my face, we stay quiet for a few beats, enjoying the silence that forms between us. “I’m going to miss you, Charlotte Roux.”

“I’ll miss you too, Hunt. You gonna call me every night?”

“Hey, shithead! Gina is here. She needs you to sign the contracts.” Jason’s voice blasts through the room, rippling a chuckle from Charls.

“Tell Jason he better take good care of you, or I’m coming for him.”

“Who are you talking to?” Jason jumps over the back of the couch, dropping his ass next to me. His blond hair is longer than usual, a lost strand springing free in front of his frown.

“Charlotte. She says you better take care of me, or she’s coming for you.”

“Oh, don’t worry, girl. I’ll make sure he’s taken care of. Does that include orgasms?” he screams at the phone as he wiggles his eyebrows up and down. I throw my fist at his chest.

“Ouch!” he yelps.

“Shut up, asshole,” I growl, listening to Charlotte’s laughter in my ear, relieved she doesn’t take his words seriously.

“He’s going to be a total player, isn’t he?” Charlotte asks.

“Yeah, he is.” I smile, softly shaking my head, hearing a set of heels tapping on the marble floor and into the living area. Turning my head, I look up at Gina, the epitome of a businesswoman wearing a black pantsuit. “I gotta go, babe. And yeah, I will call you every night.”

“Okay. Bye, Hunt.”

“Bye, babe.”

“Who was that?” Gina takes a seat on the loveseat in front of us, giving me a mocking look with her coffee-brown eyes and red painted lips. “High school sweetheart?”

“His best friend,” Jason answers, as I give him a glare, telling him to shut up.

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