Page 153 of Dear #47, You're the Worst
Chapter35
Juliet
Today is a turnaround trip. We fly into Houston, play a game, fly back. It works best with our schedule. Plus, who wants to be in the middle of a Houston ice storm if they don’t have to be?
Calls, scheduling, and trying to wrangle players into media appearances they hate eat my whole day alive.But I love it. I love shaping a story, showing people the best version of this team, of myself. I’m still new here, still proving I’m not just Patrick’s ex, and every success is another brick in the future I’m building for myself.
The second I step off the plane in Houston, Hunter is on me like glue. His hand finds my lower back as we walk through the terminal, then my shoulder when we’re waiting for our bags. He even grips my hand when he thinks no one’s looking.
When an airport employee makes the mistake of asking if I need help to find transportation, Hux appears like magic, growling, putting his arm around me as if he’s pulling me out of the way of a speeding train.
“Sorry about him.” I blush and roll my eyes, squeezing Hunter’s biceps. “We’re completely fine. I’m with an enormous group and a shuttle is going to pick us up.”
The guy nods, wide eyed, and disappears. I feel giddy inside at how possessive Hux acts, but I can’t let him see that. Schooling my face, I give him a mock stern look.
“You nearly gave that guy a heart attack.”
Hunter looks down at me, his hand tightening on my waist. “He’s not allowed to hit on you, Monroe.”
“Get a hold of yourself. He was just doing his job.”
“He was about to ask you out. And he was standing too close to begin with.”
“Watch this over the top eye roll to get my reaction to that, Hux.” I roll my eyes all the way back, making sure he sees that I think he’s being silly.
“You’re too nice to random people.” He shrugs a shoulder and puts his arm around my neck. “Stick with me. I’ll keep them all at bay.”
When he flashes a grin afterward, it’s pure lizard brain satisfaction. But I know that grin doesn’t exist for anyone else.
“Yeah, I can see that, caveman.”
He flashes a smile at me, looking entirely too pleased with himself.Asshole.
When the shuttle picks up the team, I sink into a seat, sighing as I look out at the Houston skyline. I took countless shuttles here when I flew back and forth from Seattle to Houston. I’ve never had anybody waiting at the airport for me, though.
Airport pickups were never Patrick’s cup of tea. Can’t say I blame him; the Houston airport is only about 20 minutes from downtown, but we’ll pass nothing but gas stations, grocery stores, and Waffle Houses until we’re practically downtown.
“You okay?” Hux nudges me.
Honestly? I’ve felt better before. I feel weirdly hot; I’ve felt over-warm since we hit the tarmac at Sea-Tac. I think it’s nerves from heading back to Houston and knowing I’m going to have to face Patrick tonight. But I don’t tell Hunter any of that.
“Fine.” I lean my head against his shoulder. “Tired.”
Hux puts his arm around me without comment. I know he’s trying to be supportive. The other players seem to handle me with kid gloves, too. They’ve been treating me like I’m made of glass ever since we got on the plane.
Hunter probably said something to make them act this way. I wish he wouldn’t. Or I wish that he didn’t have to, I guess.
It would be easier if Hunter were cruel. If he mocked me the way Patrick did when I got overwhelmed or anxious, rolled his eyes and told me to get over it.
But he listens. He notices. He remembers the scent I wear and what brand of coffee I like and how I always check a mirror before I speak to make sure my lipstick hasn’t smudged.
And that makes it worse. Because kindness is more seductive than cruelty ever was. It makes me want something more between us, even though it’sinsane. Wanting Hunter is like asking someone to put another hole in my head.
Hunter insists on taking selfies with my phone on the drive. He’s never even cared about social media before, but now he’s posing for pictures and making sure our Instagram story shows us together in Houston.
Silently telling Patrick to back off, I think.
“Smile like you actually like me,” he says. He tugs me onto his lap for another shot and hands his arm around my neck.
