Page 1 of Hunter (Life in the Brohouse 6)

Chapter 1

RACHEL

Iflickmyhairover my shoulders and smile my brightest smile at the laptop, waiting for the darkness to ebb away and for the screen to display Hunter’s image. The dial tone keeps ringing and for a moment I think he’s forgotten our little video chat date.He hasn’t forgotten,I tell myself.Most likely he’s busy with practice, or working out, or getting to know the team.

Nevertheless, I can’t help myself from fidgeting even more with my hair. My gaze slides to the mirror behind my laptop and I frown at my mascara, already smearing under my eyes, and the flush in my cheeks. I wipe away the black stains, not treating my skin with the delicacy it deserves, before scowling once more in the mirror. My foundation is already starting to get this pasty, worn in look after running around all day in search of my Art Theory and History books and my Chapstick does nothing to bring out the color of my lips. I look worn out, exhausted. Fair enough, given I have been up since the crack of dawn, tending to work and scrambling to get everything prepared for my junior year. Still, it’s not like I see Hunter often. I should have put a bit more effort into my looks before getting on video chat.

The dial tone abruptly ends and I turn sharply toward the screen, forcing a smile as I see Hunter’s image come into focus. He frowns into the camera and I see he’s still messing around with his laptop, probably getting his sound or video to work. His mouth moves, but nothing is emitted.

I shake my head. “Can’t hear you.”

Hunter’s shoulders slump and he rolls his eyes before leaning in closer to the screen, looking like he’s about to throw his laptop onto the floor. I giggle nervously while I wait. He looks good in his button-down shirt. The sleeves are rolled above his elbow, displaying his thick forearms. However, his hair is shorter, no longer hanging around his shoulders, and there’s a hint of scruff already growing along his jaw. I wonder if the team made him cut it, or perhaps he’s just going for a new look now that he’s no longer a college student.

He still looks so handsome,I think sadly, wishing I could touch his face, kiss his lips, hold his hands. I haven’t seen him in what feels like forever. We were supposed to video chat last week, but his practice ran late and Lucas forced me to leave the apartment.

“Come on, Rachel,”Lucas had said.“You can’t be waiting around on him forever.”

“Yeah,”Seth had agreed with a stern look.“You need to live your life, too.”

I had begrudgingly left with them, yet the entire time at the party, I couldn’t help but think about Hunter, and the stab of guilt twisting inside me only grew. Hunter left Aurora at the end of May and spent the last two months apartment hunting, getting acquainted with the Bears, and attending any meetings his agent sent him to. We should have video chatted at least once by now, but, unfortunately, most our interactions were limited to text messages and very short phone calls due to his busy schedule.

I am trying to remain positive, but each day that passes I feel myself losing hope that this long-distance thing will ever work. The laptop clicks and I hear music playing in the background, coming from Hunter’s side. Hunter sighs, slumping in his chair. “Finally,” he groans while pushing his hair away from his face. “I thought this thing would never work.”

I chuckle and straighten in my seat. “I thought you video chatted with Dr. Forrester once a week?”

“Got a new laptop,” Hunter says with a smirk. “Couldn’t get the fucking thing to work. It’s pretty fancy. Dad thought I needed the best seeing how I’m a big football star now.”

“And how is the star life?” I ask while leaning in close, trying to see beyond him and into this new, fancy apartment he has. “I see you at least have a couch.”

Hunter turns around and I’m given more view of the apartment. His couch is huge and looks like it’s made of black leather. It’s resting in front of a large flat screen TV hanging on the wall. I can’t see much more, but thankfully, Hunter picks up his laptop, holding it away from him so I have an ample view of his living room.

“I suppose it’s finally time to give you the grand tour.”

I chuckle. “About time. I’ve been wondering where you’ve been staying all this time. I assumed you were sleeping in some sort of dormitory attached to Soldier Field.”

Hunter leans close to the screen and makes a disgusted face. “Never. After living with you slobs, I’ve decided to level up in the world.”

“Really? I’m the slob?” I ask while crossing my arms. “Weren’t you the one leaving your dirty shoes all over the living room? Or how about the sink?” I stick out my tongue. “All those dirty dishes filling up our sink and—”

“Okay,” Hunter says loudly, his eyes widening in mock annoyance. “I was part of the problem. Happy now?”

“Very,” I say with a giggle.

“So, here is the living room,” says Hunter while bringing me closer to the couch and TV. “Nothing special, really. I have the Playstation and Xbox all hooked up, but I haven’t had time to play.”

I nod in approval as he shows me the game systems before he quickly turns the screen around and shows me the very large kitchen. The only thing separating it from the living room is a sizable island with a gray top, which has several stools lined up in a row near the counter. The place looks spotless, as if Hunter doesn’t even live there. The refrigerator is giant, but when he shows me the inside, all I see are water bottles and energy drinks.

“Do you eat?” I ask while wrinkling my nose.

Hunter chuckles and he opens the cabinet near the refrigerator, displaying rows of protein bars and whey protein jars. “Yeah, I eat,” he says, as if this can possibly be called food.

“Any vegetables? Fruits?”

“I’m not here long enough to actually go grocery shopping.”

“Ah,” I say, my gaze landing on the twinkling, pristine looking sink. “That explains the cleanliness.”

I laugh when Hunter comes into view and makes a show of rolling his eyes. He then proceeds to take me down the narrow hall. On one side is white wall, on the other side are a row of sliding mirrors. He pushes one, showing where he keeps his football gear, coats, and shoes. The apartment isn’t huge, but it’s quite nice. He even shows me the bathroom, which has a large tub and a shower in it.

---