Page 74 of Chosen Boy

Sutton

There’s nothing worse than waking up with a tube down your throat. I wouldn’t wish it on anybody. I try to avoid it at all costs. Yet here I am, for the second time in my life, waking up in a full panic because it feels like I’m actually choking on a dildo made of plastic.

I vaguely see Hunter as he watches me struggling, and he runs out of the room. Seconds later, a nurse rushes in—thank God.

“Shh, don’t fight the intubation. It only makes it worse,” she whispers, trying to calm me. “Relax, Sutton. Please.”

I want to listen—really, I do. But every cell in my body is telling me to fight it. Fight it like it’s a giant sword being shoved down my throat, cutting me wide open. Feeling someone take my hand, I hear Hunter’s voice.

“Just be strong, baby. You’re the strongest person I know. I’m right here.”

The feeling of circles on my hand calms me the smallest bit, but it’s not enough. Tears stream down my face, and I feel like I’m literally suffocating. A feeling I’ve become used to, yet I still haven’t mastered my reaction.

Squeezing my eyes shut, I feel him stroking my hand and imagine him smiling at me. I pretend we’re not in a hospital room but instead swaying to a slow song.

He looks down at me before whispering the words that I dreamed he said to me in the ambulance. And all seems right in the world. I relax my body, letting myself live in my imagination.

The pressure of the intubation tube lessens, and when the tube slips out of my throat, I feel a sensation that is both as nasty as it is relieving. Coughing a few times, I grimace at the sting of the sheer rawness from my throat.

Opening my eyes, I find Hunter at my side, still holding my hand.

“Hi,” I croak.

“Hey there, Little Bird.” He grins, tears pooling in his eyes. “You scared the shit out of me, you know. Pretty pissed about it actually.”

I attempt to shrug, but my body is as frail as a one-hundred-year-old’s on their deathbed. “My bad.” My voice barely croaks the words out. “Did we win? The charity? Did we get the most points?”

He barks out a laugh, tears streaming down his face, and he kisses my forehead. “We did. I mean, it probably had everything to do with my talent and not yours, but ya know.” He laughs before his face grows serious. “We all know you stole that show, Sutton.”

“You weren’t so bad yourself, Thompson.”

“When you were lying in this bed the past nine days, I told myself a thousand times that if you woke up—if you opened your eyes and looked up at me—I’d make sure you knew exactly where I stood when it came to us.” He inhales. “Little Bird, what started off as training for one stupid dance with someone who was supposed to be my enemy turned into something bigger than I’d ever imagined. And I have to tell you, a few measly dances will never be enough with you. Because I want a lifetime’s worth.” He kisses my lips, and I taste his salty tears. “So, please, don’t ever scare me again. I don’t know if I can take it.”

“I’ll try my best.” I smile.

“You’d better.” He kisses me again. “I’m sure, by now, you’ve figured it out, but I’ll tell you anyway. I love you. I’m so fucking in love with you.” He grins down at me. “You make me absolutely insane, but you’re on my brain every second of every day. I told you before that there was nothing fake about this, and I meant it.”

I lick my dry, cracked lips. I’m sure I look like dog shit, but the way he’s looking at me…I don’t feel insecure.

“I love you too.” I inhale. “Even if you drive me crazy too.”

“Keeps it interesting, right?” He shrugs.

I giggle, but when it makes my entire body hurt, I flinch, although I still smile through the pain. “I suppose it does.”

I guess when the universe wants two people together, it finds a way to make it happen. Never did I think I’d fall in love with someone with the last name Thompson. Never mind Hunter Thompson.

Two people who couldn’t stand each other are suddenly relying on each other for happiness. An unlikely bond made, even in unfortunate circumstances. And an impossible arrangement that blurred every single line. And a hundred roadblocks later…here we are.

We can fight how we feel. Hell, we can even try to ignore it. But one thing is for certain: love will always find a way to knock you on your ass and land you right where you belong.

And I belong with Hunter.

26

Hunter

Ibolt around my room, trying my best to get my shit together quickly for practice after spending last night with Sutton at her place.

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