Page 43 of In The Dark
“Three years. Skyler and I were renting before, but this place became available, and we took it. It’s close to Adventure Oasis and my school, and the neighborhood is great. It’s very close-knit. There is a block party on Halloween and caroling during the holidays.”
“Sounds fun.” He unzips his jacket and folds it neatly, setting it on top of his boots. His gloves come off next, and I frown when I see a cut on the back of his hand. I take his palm and examine it.
“Are you okay?”
“You don’t need to worry about me. Just a scratch from a stick.”
“And your cheek?”
“Courtesy of a tree branch.”
“Do you want some ice?” I touch the small red mark under his eye and he winces. “That looks like it hurts.”
“I’m fine, angel, but thank you for offering to take care of me.” Hunter flashes me a grin and puts his helmet on the small foyer table. “Where’s Skyler tonight?”
“She’s hooking up with this guy who—wait a second! You know him!”
“I do? God. Is it my roommate? I hope so. He needs some love and affection.”
“No.” I lead us to the living room, taking a seat on the couch. “It’s Dustin, the guy who works at your haunted house.”
“Dustin?” He lifts an eyebrow and sits next to me, pivoting my hips so my legs drape across lap. “I had no clue he had any game. Good for him.”
“He does, apparently. I thought he would tell Skyler he saw me at the haunted house a second time, but I guess he’s been too distracted.”
“Men are weak creatures.” Hunter presses his thumbs into my calf muscle, and I sigh. “If you flashed me your tits, I would be speechless. Incapacitated for the rest of the day.”
“Please. You’re not that pathetic.”
“Oh, Max. When it comes to you, I’m pitiful.”
“Will you tell me more about yourself?” I blush and hug a pillow to my chest. “I feel like we’re working backward after having sex, but there’s normally at least dinner before I take my clothes off.”
“Do you want the Hunter Wilder memoir? I’m pretty boring.” He smiles my way. “I’m an only child. I’m born and raised in Orlando. Leo and I are co-dependent. I like long walks on the beach and getting caught in the rain.”
“Such a romantic.” I lean my elbow on the couch cushion and look at him. “Do you work at Adventure Oasis year round? Skyler is in the Mardi Gras parade too. Have you two ever crossed paths?”
“Nope. When I was younger, I did other things around the park, but now I’m strictly seasonal to Halloween. This is my last year, and for as much as I’ve loved it, I’m ready to take a break.”
“Anything exciting on the horizon?”
“Hoping I can keep this cute girl around when I don’t have my mask and knife with me,” he teases, and I dip my chin. “Besides that, I have a few things I do that pay the bills.”
“Mysterious.” I shift my position, leaning against his shoulder. “Do you work for the FBI?”
“Fuck, no. I’m not a fan of authority.” Hunter runs his fingers through my hair, and I relax into him. “Are you going to tell me about yourself, angel?”
“I’m also an only child. Born and raised in Orlando. My parents divorced when I was younger, and I don’t see my dad a lot. My mom likes to travel, so I don’t see her a lot either, but for different reasons.”
“When’s your birthday?”
“Don’t tell me you’re into astrology.”
“I could be for you.”
I laugh. “My birthday is in July, and I have no clue what my astrological sign is.”
“I’m a February baby. Valentine’s Day, actually.”
