Page 19 of Gunner

“What about your mom? She gone?”

“She left for a while, but you know she’ll be back.”

“I’ll deal with her.”

“How’s that gonna work?” he asks as we walk down the hall, and I chuckle at his question.

“Same way it always works. She can get the fuck over it. There’s nothin’ between us, hasn’t been for years, she has to know that by now.”

“I thought fuckin’ the girl in front of her would do the trick,” Hodge laughs.

“You would think so, but she doesn’t seem to back down anymore,” I tell him as we walk into the kitchen. I grab a glass and fill it with ice before turning, ready to walk back out.

“You’re doin’ the right thing here,” Hodge tells me. I needed to hear that because, at this point, I don’t really know if I am or not.

“Thanks, Hodge.” He nods his head as I walk out of the kitchen and back down to Nat’s room. I walk in, and she’s curled into a ball in the middle of the bed. I set the glass on the table next to the bed before pulling the blankets over her and sitting next to her. I can’t stop myself from running my fingers through her hair and watching her lids flutter.

“I don’t know what the hell we’re doin’, Nat.”

“Stay with me,” she whispers in her sleep. How the hell could I say no? I kick off my boots and lay down next to her, pulling her small body into my arms. I’m almost afraid to hurt her. Nat rolls over, throws her arm around my waist, and snuggles into my chest.

“I’m glad you’re here,” she whispers.

“I’m not goin’ anywhere.”

“Thank you.”

Chapter 8

Natasa

I don’t think I’ve slept that good in a long time. In fact, I don’t even know how long I’ve been asleep. I pry my eyes open and look around, but Gunner isn’t here. The bed next to me is empty. I sigh as I sit up, testing my strength before standing and stretching.

The room smells like him. It smells like Gunner. I small smile tugs across my face as I walk over to the mirror and look at myself. He’s right. I look terrible, but I haven’t been able to keep anything down until the doctor gave me medicine.

I turn my head and look at the clock seeing it’s three in the morning. I should go back to sleep but I figure this is the best time for me to explore a little. No one should be awake at this time.

I pad across the floor and out the door, heading down the hallway into the main room. There are a few lights on, but I don’t see anyone out here. I look around at the large logo painted on the wall and smile. He’s right. This is his family.

“You feelin’ better?” I hear a deep voice from behind me. I startle and turn to see Hodge walking down the hall with no shirt on, his jeans hanging loosely off his waist. He looks as good as his dad does.

“Yeah, thank you.”

“If you’re lookin’ for Gunner, his room is right across the hall from yours.”

“It is?” I ask, a little confused. He kept me that close to him?

“You think he’d let you get that far from him?”

“Why wouldn’t he?”

“In case you haven’t noticed, he’s gettin’ a little protective over you.”

I shake my head. I don’t see that side of him. I just see him wanting to help me get better.

“I don’t think that’s what he’s doing.”

“You don’t?”

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