Page 187 of Between Hate and Desire

I hear Hunter shout my name over the water streaming, and when I walk inside, the sight slightly blinds me.

Well, fuck me.Again.

“Did you call me?”

“Yeah, sorry. I ran out of body wash and have an extra bottle on my dresser. Would you mind grabbing it for me?” he asks.

“Sure, one second.” I tilt my head to the side, trying to sneak a look.

“You can join me if you want…” Hunter taunts with a lazy grin. “Sing to me in the shower while I fuck you from behind.”

“Oh my God, you’re insatiable.”

His laughter echoes as I find the willpower to move my feet and walk into his room. I know the brand he uses, but I don’t see anything on his dresser. Hunter isn’t exactly organized, so I decide to check his drawers. Nothing. Hmm. I check his desk and closet next. Then I remembered his nightstand is basically a kitchen’s version of a junk drawer and check there. I dig around, moving random things around, and when I find a black velvet box, my entire body freezes.

I know it’s not from the ring he bought me since I have it in my room, but why the hell would he have this? Was he going to propose to someone before everything happened?Jenna?

Ugh, the thought makes me sick.

I shouldn’t look, but my curiosity gets the best of me, and before I can talk myself out of it, I flip it open and see an engagement ring.

A princess cut diamond on a white gold band.

It’s stunning.

My breathing increases rapidly, my heart pounds, but when I pick up the ring, I find an engraving on the inside.

03/18 the day I met my soulmate.

And then my heart stops.

The words inside the ring nearly make me choke on my emotions. We always talked about our future together and getting married, so when did he plan to propose?

Better yet, why does Hunter have it?

Kneeling on the floor, I stare at it, memories of us flooding in, and all the what-ifs burning in my mind. He died before he could ask me, before I could give him an answer, before we could ever start our forever together.

How could Hunter not tell me? I feel so fucking betrayed.

“Lennon?” he shouts from the shower.

Standing, I place the ring back in the box, slowly shut his nightstand, then walk back to the bathroom. He smiles as soon as he sees me, but it quickly falls from his face.

“What is it? Were you able to find it?”

“How could you keep this from me?” I ask, my voice brittle. Tears form in my eyes at how this changes things. I hold out my hand to show him the velvet box as my face hardens.

Hunter blinks, then looks at it, and as soon as the realization hits, he shuts off the water. “Lennon.” He says my name so softly, almost as if it pains him.

I march to my bedroom and slam the door behind me. It doesn’t do a damn thing because Hunter barges in.

“Lennon, wait. I know you’re upset…”

“Upset?” I face him, my voice going up an octave. He’s drenched, with a towel wrapped haphazardly around his waist, water droplets falling from his chest. I snap my eyes back to his. “How could you not tell me Brandon was planning to propose? How could you keep this ring and not tell me after everything we’ve been through?” I don’t realize tears are falling until I taste salt. I hate that I get emotional so quickly and wipe them away as fast as I can.

“Lennon, please. Let me explain…” He steps toward me, but I step back.

“Hunter, don’t. I should’ve known this was too good to be true. No wonder you suggested we pretend to be married.” I’m letting my anger speak, unable to control my emotions as they spill over.

---