Page 37 of Between Hate and Desire

“I know you do, but you’re also busy, so don’t even sweat it.” I lean over and give her a hug. “I’m going to call an Uber since you’re a little tipsy.”

She giggles, agreeing.

“Brandon’s probably passed out already, so I don’t wanna bother him,” I explain, opening the app, knowing he doesn’t stay up super late during the week. I put on my shoes and jacket and tell Sophie goodbye. “We’ll chat again soon, okay? If it becomes unbearable, I’m sure Brandon wouldn’t mind you crashing on our couch while you look for another place.”

“Thanks, sis. I doubt it’ll resort to that, but thanks for the offer.”

Thirty minutes later, I’m back at the apartment and look for Brandon, but the light is off in our bedroom.

“You fall in a wine cellar? Damn.” Hunter’s loud voice makes my ears ring. I turn and see him lounging on the couch without a shirt.

“Can you keep it down? Brandon’s sleeping.” My head pounds, but I don’t admit that to him.

“He’s not home. I thought he was with you.”

Hunter’s words have me frozen in my tracks. “Are you sure? He went for a motorcycle ride like four hours ago. He dropped me off at Sophie’s before he took off.”

“I’ve been home since five,” he explains. “Did you call him?”

“No, I figured he’d be in bed already.” I pull my phone from my pocket and call him. It rings five times, then goes to voicemail. “Hmm. No answer.”

“Let me try,” he says, shifting his weight to one side and grabbing his phone.

“You think he’s going to ignore my call but answer yours? He’s probably still out cruising, lost track of time, or doesn’t feel his phone vibrating,” I say but wait anyway to see if Hunter gets through.

“Nada.”

“He did say he wanted to watch the sunset, so he probably went for a longer drive.” I shrug, making my way down the hall to my bedroom. I change into some leggings and a tank top and decide to make myself something to eat, hoping it’ll soak up the wine.

“I see you finally figured out the dishwasher,” I call out when I’m in the kitchen and see the sink isn’t full for once.

“No, I just put everything back in the cabinets.”

“You better be joking!” I scold, instantly opening the doors to call his bluff.

His feet pad against the floor as he makes his way into the kitchen. “I’m not completely incompetent. I had a date over. She did it.”

I slam the door I left open and avoid his gaze. I can’t tell if he’s messing with me, but if his dates want to do his chores, then I’m all for it. “Well, whatever.”

Opening the fridge, I grab the ingredients to make a sandwich. I think back to the conversation Sophie and I had about Brandon and Hunter and how she’s basically going to be Hunter in her situation—the third wheel roommate.

I’d feel bad for Hunter, but he’s the reason things are so tense between us. If he didn’t make my life a living hell, maybe help out a bit, and stop being an arrogant bastard, we’d get along just fine. Part of me wonders if he acts out because he feels I stole his best friend from him. Or that I invaded his space. Whatever the reason, it doesn’t merit acting the way he does.

“Where’s the deli meat?” I ask, digging around where it usually is.

“Uh…” Hunter stands close behind me, and considering he’s almost a foot taller than I am and shirtless, I don’t dare turn around. “In my belly.”

I glance over my shoulder to scowl when he rubs a hand over his stupid abs.

“I literally bought two pounds of turkey last week,” I say between gritted teeth, slamming the door.

“Guess you’ll learn to buy double next time,” he says smugly.

“Ugh!” I crash into him as I walk by, but it doesn’t even faze him. But damn, it makes my shoulder throb.

“I don’t know what you’re getting so worked up about. Untwist your panties and chill.” He strolls back to the couch and plops down, spreading his legs out like an animal.

“Because I’m hungry, and you eat everything!” I shout. “Perhaps we need our own shelves, and you can buy your own food since some of us are children and don’t know how to share!”

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