Page 88 of Twisted Minds

The brace he’s wearing catches my attention. From what Sawyer told me he has to be careful, but he will make a full recovery and possibly be able to play next year. For now, no hockey. No gym. I know that has to be killing him.

His eyes lift to mine and I nearly stop breathing. “Uh, Noah left. I uh, asked him if we could talk. Alone. I hope that’s okay.”

I blink up at the ceiling. All I want to do is fall into him. “Fuck, this is embarrassing. I swear I don’t cry this much.”

“I know. I’ve always associated you with raw unyielding masculinity.”

“Asshole.” I see a tiny smile on his lips. It feels like the biggest win. Taking a breath, I move to my door, opening it and letting Hunter come inside. He makes himself at home, sitting in my gaming chair, and I sit on my bed across from him, making room.

He gets the hint and sits beside me instead. I was fucking kidding myself if I thought I’d just get over him. Taking a deep breath, Hunter turns to me and his eyes collide with mine. “At what point did this become real to you?”

I smile because I’m an idiot. “The moment I saw you sitting in front of the vending machine looking like a kicked puppy.”

“But that was before Derrick got kicked off.”

I nod, not in the business of hiding anything anymore. “There was something about you I liked the first night we met. When Derrick asked me to date you, he wanted me to hurt you instead. I didn’t even know it was you when he first suggested it. I needed time. I hoped to get him to confess, that’s why I kept talking to him. I didn’t know about Sawyer’s sister, though, I swear.” I shake my head. “Honestly, I didn’t expect you to want me back, so I thought I could just bide my time and try to catch him. You have no reason to believe me, but I have nothing to lose. I have no reason to lie to you.” I’m trying and failing to hold back tears. “I’m so sorry.”

“Were you ever going to tell me?”

I don’t know what to say. “I was trying to find a way to get Derrick caught. Then I was planning on telling you. The morning of Noah’s party I almost did, but then he called and I just decided to wait until after. I just kept pushing it back because I fell so in love with you, and I was so scared I’d lose you forever.”

“Yet you didn’t care when we caught Derrick with Noah.”

“No. I wanted to kill him. All I could think about was making sure Noah was safe. I don’t regret that part. If something had happened to him, I’d never forgive myself.” I blink. “All of it was real. All of it. I never lied to you about my feelings. I was just forced to do something I didn’t want to do. Everything between us is real. Everything I told you.”

“I don’t know what to believe, I just don’t.”

“I know. I’m so sorry.” I feel my body shake. “I don’t know what to do.”

“Well.” I look up. “You can start by earning my trust back.”

Blood roars in my ears. I’m not hearing this right. I can’t be. There’s no way. “What? What do you mean?”

“I’m scared you’re going to hurt me again.” I go to protest, but Hunter squeezes my hands in his, effectively shutting me up. “Iwant to believe you won’t, but I’m scared. I’m willing to take a risk. You’re worth the risk.”

“I promise you I’m not.” Moving closer, Hunter wraps his arms around me. I’m rigid for a moment, unsure of what’s happening, until the shock melts away and I loop my arms around his neck.

“What you did was shitty, but I can also understand why you did it. I wanted Derrick caught just as badly.”

“I shouldn’t have been complacent. I shouldn’t have kept talking to him. I didn’t know about Jane. I swear I wouldn’t have agreed to it. I’m sorry.” I bury my face into his neck, being mindful of his knee. “I love you. I’m sorry.”

Pulling back, Hunter cups my face, smoothing his thumbs over my tear-stained cheeks. “Never again. Okay? If you lie to me again—”

“I won’t.” I’ll never hide a thing from this man. I’ll earn his trust back. Grovel. Beg. Prove to him that I’m worth the risk. Whatever I need to. “You’re my person.” I smile, earning me a brilliant one back.

Hunter leans in to kiss me and I groan at the feel of him. “My person.” I’m greedy, wanting all of him.

“Can you stay with me tonight? I want to sleep next to you. I’ve missed you.” Hunter answers me by kissing me. The soft touch of his lips makes me moan. I can’t believe this is actually happening, and I’m not fully convinced I didn’t slip and hit my head in the shower. Either way, I’m not letting go. Hunter hooks me around the waist, pulling me onto his lap to straddle him, deepening the kiss. I’m not sure how far he’ll let me go, but I want his skin against mine. I’d happily sit right here making out with him for the rest of the night.

Hunter has other plans, moving his palms down my back before slipping them into my sweats. Lazily swirling his tongue around mine, he finds the hem of my shirt and lifts it off. Sittingup, Hunter does the same, and my palms land on the wide expanse of his chest. I run my fingers over his skin and my dick pulses inside my sweats. I didn’t grab underwear earlier, which is becoming more and more evident. “I can’t really do much right now.” Hunter’s face reddens.

“So, you’re saying I get to be in charge.”

That makes him laugh. “Just for tonight. When I’m all healed you better get ready.” Leaning down, I kiss his neck, just wanting his skin all over me. “You smell so good,” he says.

“Should have been here an hour ago. That was not the case.”

Hunter draws my nipple into his mouth. “I need you.”

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