“What can I get for you and your friend, Mr. Taylor?” he asked with a huge, welcoming smile. He looked to be younger than me, so probably twenty-one or just a year or two older than that. Or perhaps his wide-eyed innocence just made him appear that way. “We have many drink specials, but we’re known for our tequila.”
I ordered us the house special for the night, and once the waiter—whose name was Michael—walked away, I leaned in toward Hunter.
“This is sort of our first official date since we’ve been back together, huh?” I said, fighting the urge to reach across the table and take his hand.
“Yeah it is,” Hunter agreed before narrowing his brow. “We’ve been together for over a month and you’re just now taking me out somewhere nice. You have a lot of catching up to do.”
Unlike when William used to say shit like that, I knew Hunter was just playing around. The amount of money I had meant nothing to him. Our bond went way back before any of that anyway.
“The nerve of me, right?” I responded.
Hunter grinned.
We ordered fajitas—he had shrimp and steak ones while I just went with chicken—and over dinner, we talked about anything and everything. Just anything that popped into our heads. It was freeing in ways I couldn’t even describe.
Talking to Hunter—getting into that fucking sexy, intelligent mind of his—was an experience all of its own. He told me about plans he had for his English classes next year, introducing them to more classic works and learning about all the different literary periods. And yeah, he totally nerded out as he explained it all.
“I’ve been thinking about what I want to do after my contract is up,” I said after wiping my mouth with the cloth napkin. Hunter looked at me with a somewhat anxious expression. “I want to move into Grandpa’s house.”
I had thought about it over the past several weeks, and I kept coming back to that one decision. Sure, I liked living in Kansas City, in Overland Park, but it was just a house. Just a town like any other.
But with Hunter? I had a home.
“What about Kansas City?” he asked, truly surprised, as if he couldn’t believe I’d chosen a life with him over one that got way too lonely, even while I was surrounded by crowds of people. “Willow is nothing compared to that.”
“That’s not true.” I held his gaze, wishing he could feel what I felt deep in my chest. If he could, he would never question my decision to stay with him ever again. “You’re there.”
Hunter didn’t say anything at first, but various emotions flickered across his face. Shock, joy, and even a little sadness.
“So this is really happening?” he asked. “You and me. A real future together.”
I nodded, closely watching him. I was sure to anyone on the outside looking in, we’d probably look like we were having an argument by how serious we both were.
“I don’t know what I’ll do career wise,” I said, feeling a stirring of nerves at the thought of not having something to fall back on. “But what Idoknow? I’m tired of living a huge life that seems so small because you aren’t with me. It’s lonely, and although it can be incredible at times, at the end of the day, most people only want me because of what I represent and not actually want me forme.”
Hunter took a drink before looking down at the table, visibly mulling something around in his head. Then, he looked back at me.
“I don’t want you giving up football, Cor. If KC doesn’t extend your contract, stay in as a free agent and maybe some other team will pick you up.” The seriousness in his eyes was reflected in his tone as well. “I want you to live in Willow more than anything, but you don’t have to give up your dream to do it.”
I saw his yearning for the kind of life I’d talked about, and yet, he was putting all of that aside because he thought I was giving something up for him. Maybe I was. Football meant a lot to me, and I’d fucking miss it.
But I’d miss him more.
“Let’s talk about it later, okay?” I said, trying to lighten the mood. “Tonight, I just want us to enjoy ourselves and live in the moment.”
Hunter smiled. “Agreed.”
After we’d eaten, we went over to the lounge area and drank a few margaritas. With the sound of the surf up ahead, as well as the soft music playing from the back patio, it was romantic and absolutely perfect. Well, it would’ve been perfect if I could’ve held him while we enjoyed it all, but just being beside him was enough for now.
A perfect date, followed by an even more amazing night.
Chapter 21
Hunter
I awoke to the sound of waves and a warm body wrapped around mine. The sun streamed in through the open balcony doors and a light breeze blew the white see-through curtains that hung around the doorframe.
Corbin sighed in his sleep and pulled me closer to him, my back to his chest. His left leg was over mine and his right arm was under me. I couldn’t escape even if I wanted to, which I didn’t. Not in a million years.
