Page 38 of Hunter
From the second she shot through that back door, to when he woke up in an absolute fucking panic, I could see his feelings tripling by the minute for her. I saw it in her eyes, too. She’s got a soft spot for him that she’s trying to fill with concrete, but it’s not working. It seems like he tried to ignore it, too. He’s only seemed to have scratched the surface of how he really feels about her.
She’s scared to let him in and plays better defense than he does. This girl’s tough as nails and won’t hesitate to fuck anyone up. She’s got guts, and he likes that. His dopey-ass smile says it all. It’s what I love about my badass girl, too.
That stupid kid is like a brother to me, and I’m gonna do everything that I can to keep Edison safe for him and for Amy.I’ll cover her tracks and help her get on her feet. And then I’ll wipe these fuckers out for thinking Havenwood is a town that they can run. They can’t and they won’t. I once promised Amy that I’d always get rid of the bugs when we were together, and now it's no different. I’ve got no problem squashing them all. And I’ll sleep just fine knowing that they no longer exist in the same world as my lady.
Speaking of that little shit, my phone won’t shut the fuck up with Hunt’s messages. He’s been asking me for updates every five minutes since he left this morning, and nothing I say is calming his ass down.
Yes, I took care of the back alley.Evidence was washed away, and trash was taken out before you fell asleep on the floor, bro.
No, there isn’t anything back there that can tie Ed to what happened.Not my first crime scene, kid.
No, there’s been zero police activity in the area and even less chatter on the coms.We’ve got cops on the Rossi payroll as well as eyes and ears all over town.
Yes, I do think she’s coming back tonight.She said she would, and that’s all I can go by, man.
Yes, I’ve already got my cousin installing extra security cameras and motion lights in the back of the shop in case she decides to come in that way again.To be honest, that shoulda been done ages ago.
Yes, I’m working on figuring out who the fuck these guys are.All I’ve heard is that they run drugs and their guys get fucked up on their shit while pushing product. That tells me all I need to know.
Yes, we’ll handle the body cam video if it actually exists.If their men are using instead of selling, then the boss might have them wear tech to monitor the dumbasses he’s got working forhim. Either way, whether it’s true or not, if there’s video out there, we’ll find it, use it to our advantage, and then destroy it.
No, you can’t have a gun.What the?! This idiot would end up shooting himself. Probably in the foot and blowing his whole hockey career. Then he’d be even more pissed off than he already is now.
No, you can’t have a knife.Is he stupid? Two weeks ago, he was being an impatient little fuck and insisted on shaving his arm by himself instead of waiting for me to take a piss. He cut himself with the razor and was bleeding all over the place. I’d be nervous to give him a nail clipper.
Yes, I know this is now all you’re thinking about.And aren’t I lucky to be on the receiving end of all your thoughts.
Yes, I know this girl is important to you.I can see it on your face and hear it in your voice. It’s like looking in the mirror, man, so yeah, I get it.
No, you shouldn’t follow her around all day.From what he’s told me, his brother follows around the girl he’s after. Like stands outside of her apartment and hides behind trees and shit. Maybe stalking from the heart runs in their family.
Yeah, man, I hear you, and I’m not surprised she’s acting like nothing happened.I’ve got a hunch that she’s seen this shit before, she’s experienced it first hand, and she’s been traumatized so many times that the only way she can cope with any new trauma is to act exactly as she is now.
Yes, I got your text about her liking cheese and bread.I mean, doesn’t most of the world like cheese and bread?
Yes, I’ll be on the lookout for your DoorDash order to arrive in the next five minutes. I’m used to him sending shit to the shop that he either doesn’t want his teammates to know about or that he doesn’t want to share. He’ll order all sorts of shit and have it delivered here.
This isn’t how our usual text messages go. First off, he’s using more words than usual. Most of the time, it’s just him letting me know when he’s coming through or letting me know that he’s reserved my seat at the rink for me. Even then, we usually give one-word or two-word responses.
I bet him hearing what went down last night got him all fucked up. Sometimes I forget that not everyone is as immune as I am. Maybe he’s freaked out that she had to defend herself to the literal death. Honestly, I’d expect nothing less. If a man goes after a woman like that, she should absolutely kill him.Good for you, Ed. You rid the world of one more scumbag.
He sends me another message to let me know his DoorDash order was delivered. I get up from the chair at the welcome desk, leaving my third cup of coffee next to a pile of mail that I’m trying to go through.
I open the front door, retrieve the grocery bag, and take a look inside. “Yeah, he’s definitely off his fucking rocker today,” I say out loud in the empty shop while shaking my head back and forth, when I spot several bags of croutons.
NINETEEN
“Hey, darlin,’I just wanted to apologize ag--” My reaction of rage is instant and uncontrollable when I turn around toward the intruding drawl of a southern male voice.Why the hell is he apologizing to her? What the fuck did he do? I’ll fucking kill him.
He stops talking the second I stand up, and the primal urge to protect her is just as intense as the adrenaline surge I get when the Devils have a power play, are in possession of the puck, and the other team pulls the goalie.
“It’s fine, you don’t need to be out here rehashing shit,” she says to him, and I don’t have to be looking at her to know she’s rolling her eyes. I can hear it in her voice.
“Why the fuck are you apologizing to her?” I stare his ass down, wanting to see him crack under the pressure of my fucking stare. I need to know what happened before I fucking lose it. I don’t give a fuck, I’ll murder him right here in this room. Gimme a reason to defend her, and I will.
“Hunter, I just said it’s fine, fuck, you don’t listen for shit.”Fine? Nothing has been fucking fine since I saw you twenty-four hours ago, crazy girl. And now that includes this dickhead interrupting our lunch, talking about being sorry for something that he obviously did to you.
“No, it’s not fine. I wanna know why he came over here to apologize,” I demand. I met this guy once, and all I know about him is that he gave my brother shit, and now he’s interrupted my fucking time with her. He’s stealing minutes, and that alone is a fucking capital offense. I don’t give a fuck if he’s our new QB1; if I don’t like the fucking answer, I’m gonna tackle his ass to the fucking floor.
