Page 5 of Playing A Risk
“She wasn’t trying to hit me. I was merely in the path of her fist. Anyway, she punched him in the face, and he turned to her. They had it out.”
“What happened after that?”
“It was strange. She flipped from mad to bawling. Then he switched and took her in his arms to console her. He kissed the top of her head and told her he was there for her. It was beyond confusing, so I crawled out without them seeing me.”
I scan Hunter’s face, searching for an answer. “Why would Jami do that when seconds before he was threatening to call the cops on her?”
Hunter shrugs as he shakes his head. “I have no idea.Jamison never discussed the specifics of their relationship, so I didn’t pry.”
“He told you about them, but couldn’t tell me?” I cry harder, trying to make sense of it.
“Why is this breaking you in half?” Hunter shifts with stiff shoulders like he’s uncomfortable. “You being this upset makes me think there’s something more to all of this.”
I dive in without thinking because my emotions are ruling me. “He should’ve said something to me about having a child. We were going to have a baby together. Did he not think it would make a difference? Even though I miscarried, he should’ve told me.”
Rage flickers in Hunter’s eyes. “What do you mean you were going to have a baby together?”
CHAPTER 2
HUNTER
Dorothy’s wordshit me in the head like a baseball bat. I didn’t see them coming.
Rage flares through my every limb, so I turn away. I can’t scare her again or she’ll run away, and I’ll lose her for good.
“Hunter, shit. Let me explain.” She tries to reach for me, but I slide away.
“Do I even want to know?”
She places her traitorous hand on my knee. I tense on reflex. I don’t want her touch right now.
Getting the hint, she pulls away. “Hunter, look at me, please. After what Jami did to me, you deserve for me to be honest with you.”
My gaze snaps to her, wanting to spew fire. “So if this event with Jamison tonight hadn’t happened, you would’ve kept this from me?”
“Honestly, I don’t know. Your jealousy scares me sometimes, and what I want to tell you could send you off the deep end.” Her tiny body cowers in the corner of the sofa.
It takes all my willpower to keep my madness at bay. I finally have the upper hand in this love triangle and I’m not about to throw away a winning hand.
I pull in a calming breath and brace myself for her to destroy me. “I understand. Tell me what you need to say, and I promise to remain in control.”
“After that night with Jami, I… Well, you know when I was sick.” Her voice is timid and full of shame. She hangs her head, hiding her eyes from mine. “I had an ectopic pregnancy.”
With those words, my heart explodes. I push off the couch and run my hands through my hair, searching for something to divert the evil thoughts from entering my brain.
Goddammit!
I want to murder him all over again.
“Hunter, I’m sorry. I should’ve told you, but you almost killed Jami when I came clean about what happened in the cabin. The pregnancy wasn’t viable, so I thought I could spare your feelings. It was wrong of me. I’m sorry. Please believe me.” She tucks her legs underneath her. “I’m sorry I keep hurting you.”
“Fuck! He got you pregnant?” I storm down the hall to calm the fuck down.
The thought of her carrying his child makes me see red. The only child she should ever have in her belly is mine.
Fuck!
I tear off my clothes and jump into a cold shower to soothe some of the treacherous burns she’s inflicted upon me once again. Visions of them together invade my thoughts. I close my eyes and breathe.
