Page 76 of Bad Love

Hunter:We're fine. Don’trush.

Relief and gratitude flood me.I always thought of Hunter as dodging responsibility, but lately, I’m wondering if I was wrong. Like the way he covered that big job at work so his friend didn’t end up introuble.

And the way he had my back today. Not just by taking Rory, but in thatmeeting.

By the time I tuck the phone away, a smile lingering on my lips, and head back outside, a figure is striding up the driveway. One that stops and leans against the driver’s door of my car. My heart kicks, and I lower the duffel, preparing to swing it at his head if I needto.

But then I realize the shape isfamiliar.

"Kendall."

"Blake."

I don't loosen my grip on the bag. I haven't seen him in almost three years. He's filledout.

"I heard about your mom," he says. "I'msorry."

That familiar voice is smooth on my skin, reminding me how he used to sing in youth group. How I’d stare at him while hedid.

"She'll befine."

He shoves his hands in the pockets of hisLevi’s.

I always found him handsome, but I don't appreciate it anymore. It's under layers of resentment andpain.

I nod toward the house across the fence. “Looks like you’ve been busy. When did you movein?"

"A week ago." He shrugs. “Mings did a helluva job on the yard, but the carpet in there? Think it hasn’t been replaced since theseventies.”

"Why?"

“Dunno, guess they had other stuff goingon.”

“I mean, why did you buy thathouse?”

He spreads his hands. "I came home. Can’t I want to see my kid and mygirl?"

There's a dig in his words, but I'm too stressed and tired to play games. “I’m not your girl. I haven’t been in a longtime.”

He rubs a hand through the waves of his hair, darker brown than Logan’s. His face is leaner, and I don’t know why I’m comparing them all of asudden.

“Coming back to this place made me remember everything. Including camp that summer.” His lips lift at the corner, as if he’s reminiscing with an old friend instead of a woman who wants nothing to do withhim.

“I’m creating a future for my son. We can’t change thepast.”

He looks hurt. “You wouldn’t want that. We had some goodtimes.”

“And some bad ones,” I remind him, lifting mychin.

He sighs, folding his arms over his chest. "I’m gonna see myson."

The hairs on my neck stand up. Not because I’m afraid he’ll hurt Rory—if I was, there’d be a restraining order and we wouldn’t be having this conversation. The risk to my kid is more subtle thanthat.

"You can see him, but we need to be on the same page. The last time you spent time with him, you promised him things you couldn’t deliveron.”

“I only couldn’t deliver on them because you wouldn’t letme.”

“You said you’d take him on a trip without consultingme.”

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