But Hunter wasn't so keen to joke around about it. “Look. It's not really easy for me to talk about. It's—it's just an old beef we had once upon a time. We used to be teammates, you know.”
“Sorry. I didn't mean to make light of it.” I frowned. “Honestly though, Hunter? I squealed when you hit that guy.”
Hunter loved hearing that. “Really? Why?”
“Because he's acreep.He followed us around all night, staring and making these gross comments.”
“Yeah, that sounds like him, alright.”
“So, yeah, I loved it when you socked him. I'm pretty sure all the girls did too.”
“Well, I'm glad somebodyloved it. 'Cause the boys sure weren't too happy with me. And Coach was furious. I'm sure the fans will be trashing me on the forums all night, too.” Hunter shook his head. “Anyway. Enough about hockey.”
A pause. I knew this was my moment to go.
“Thanks for the ride, Hunter,” I said. I took his cell phone from the center console and tapped in my number. “There. Now you have my number.”
“Hey, great. I'll text you later so you have mine.” He gestured towards my apartment as he unbuckled his seat belt. “So, you wanna show me your new place?”
Give an athlete an inch…
“Hunter!” I warned, but the damned hockey player was already out of his car and slamming his door shut. I climbed out after him. “Trust me, it'snothingspecial.”
“So? I don't care.” He walked me to my door.
“Iknowyou don't,” I answered as I turned the key in the lock. “That's the problem.”
“Stop it,” he urged me with an adorably innocent smile. Even though Iknewhe wasn't innocent at all. “Just give me the tour.”
'Ugh,'was all I could think. BecauseI was actually considering it.The thing was, I knewexactlywhere this road led. I knew what he wanted. And yet, still, I considered it. Because …why not?I mean, technically, I already broke the rules when I accepted a ride from him. How much worse could things really get if I chilled with him for a little?
Besides.He was cute and sweet and after all, he kept doing favors for me. Although his motives were definitely questionable …
I let out a heavy, defeated sigh that was mostly for show.
“Fine. I'll show you my place. Butdon'tget any ideas.”
***
My roommates were relaxed on the couch, in their pajamas, and watching TV in the living room when I stepped through the front door.
“Hi Kayla, hi Sara,” I greeted them.
“Hi Honor,” they answered.
Their eyes grew huge as handsome Hunter Rockwell stepped in behind me, all six-feet-plus of him, superbly dressed in a sharp suit.
“This is Hunter. He's, um, a co-worker. Hunter, that's Kayla and Sara.”
“Hi ladies.” Hunter stepped forward and shook their hands. Their tiny hands disappeared into hisbear-like paw, which was a strangely satisfying sight.
I led Hunter away from my dumbfounded, gaping-mouthed roommates and took him on a tour of our small place: a kitchen, a bathroom, two closed doors that were Kayla and Sara's rooms, which led us to … of course …
“Welp. This is my embarrassing life,” I said, waving my hand over the small square room that now contained all my worldly possessions: a mattress and box frame that rested directly on the carpet, my painting supplies, and, well, a bunch of books and clothes still packed in boxes. “Exciting, isn't it? Aren't you glad you came?”
Shockingly—cough, cough—Hunter didn't care about the contents or the sorry state of my room.
“Iamglad,” he said, too smoothly. He stepped behind me and clenched his hands around my waist and pulled me into him. I let myself wilt ever-so-slightly in his grasp, snug against his rock-hard chest.
