by Nicki Night
“I wasn’t...”
“Drew! Cut it out,” Hunter said, chuckling. “I’m supposed to ask that.” His sexy eyes landed on Chey and hers stretched wider.
“Don’t pay them any mind.” That was Blake.
The weight of shame lifted off Chey when everyone in the room burst out laughing. She joined in. When the laughter subsided, the men talked about what was needed to fix her bed. Hunter checked his phone to find out which hardware stores were still open. The men left and returned within the hour with several two-by-fours and tools.
Chey pulled out a few chilled bottles of water and got out of their way as they began clearing broken wood. Something radiated inside her when Hunter removed his suit jacket and shirt, revealing a taut chest and muscular build through his undershirt. Blake and Drew had done the same, but they didn’t have an effect on Chey. Drew openly flirted with Deanna and she giggled as if she were back in middle school.
“Chey!” Hunter called her over. “We’re going to need some music while we work. This looks like it may take a while.”
“Oh! Sure. Let me put something on.” Chey set her music app to an R & B station.
“And some food, too! Order some pizza—I’m paying!” Drew instructed.
Chey laughed as she picked up the phone and called her favorite pizza shop. It felt good having Hunter in her home. She watched his muscles move as he worked. A few times he caught her ogling him and smiled. They labored diligently until a really good song would come on and one of the brothers would start hooting and dancing, rendering each of them unproductive until the song changed. Chey and Deanna cracked up watching them interact or fuss about who wasn’t holding what right. They took a break when the pizza came, but the antics continued right through the meal.
The conversation moved to any embarrassing story they could tell about Hunter from back in the day. The one about Hunter being hit in the head with a football while his teenage crush watched had everyone doubled over. Drew acted out the entire story. Chey could hardly catch her breath.
Hunter tossed his shirt at his brother and told them of the time when Drew was in grade school and a pretty little girl down the block kissed him. Drew had gotten so excited he’d wet his pants.
“Dude, I was five!” Drew tried to defend himself.
When the pizza was done, the brothers resumed working, and within the hour, Chey’s bed was fixed.
Chey locked eyes with Hunter as they said their goodbyes.
“Thanks again. I didn’t want to bother you, but I didn’t know who else to call.”
“It’s not a problem at all. Call me anytime.”
An awkward silence ensued and was broken when Drew cleared his throat. “Just go ahead and kiss her, man. You know you want to,” he teased. “I’m just joking. It was nice meeting you, Chey.” He looked Deanna up and down and licked his lips. “You, too, Ms. Deanna.”
Deanna blushed and shook her head. “Bye, Drew!” They carried on like old friends.
“We’re going for a few drinks. You ladies should join us,” Blake added. Hunter and Chey looked at each other.
“Uh...thanks, but I’m really tired,” Chey said, ignoring the sideways glare Deanna tossed in her direction. The knowing look Hunter cast her way confirmed that he understood. As much as she wanted to stay in Hunter’s presence, she knew it wasn’t a good idea. Kenya’s warning came to mind. “You gentlemen have fun.”
Hunter was the last to leave. He gave her another friendly hug and kiss on the cheek. This one was much closer to her lips. Chey closed the door slowly and leaned against it. When she looked up, Deanna was in her face.
“What the heck was that?” Deanna asked.
Chey would explain in the morning. Right now she needed to remember how to breathe.
Chapter 27
Spring break had been anything but a break for Hunter. Seeing Chey at her apartment had brought feelings to the surface that he’d thought he had buried. One of his pro bono clients had cracked under the pressure of a cross-examination. He’d jumped over the witness stand and choked the attorney who was badgering him. His face had been plastered on the front page of every newspaper and television screen in the metropolitan area. The incident weakened any progress they had made, forcing him to work around the clock and add damage control to his repertoire of skills.
Hunter’s only reprieve was the fact that he didn’t have to deal with Kenya. He was still quite upset after she showed out at Ed’s reception. He wanted to ask about the comments she’d made pertaining to Chey. Was it true that Kenya had told her to “stand down”?
Kenya had been calling him all week, but he wanted to speak with her face-to-face.
Just as he expected, Kenya was standing by his door when he arrived for class.
“Hey, Hunter.” Her smile was weak and full of guilt.
“Hello, Kenya.” He continued past her.
“Can we talk after class?”
“Sure. See you then.”
Hunter went straight into the room and addressed his class. Gone was the usual enthusiasm that made him such an engaging professor.
“Let’s get right to the...” His eyes landed on Chey. He remembered how beautiful she’d looked the night he went to her house to fix her bed. She’d had on makeup then and looked like a movie star. She was still beautiful now. He remembered that he was addressing his class “...presentations that you were assigned over the break.” He continued pulling away from her magnetism. There was so much he wanted to say to her. She had returned to behaving like a cordial stranger. “Would someone like to volunteer or should I call names by alpha order?”
“I’ll go.” One of his most confident and argumentative students stood. Hunter thought he’d make a better attorney than businessman.
In the assignment, students had to examine contracts for possible loopholes and present a scenario that would bring the issue to light and offer a possible resolution. Hunter trained them to look at contracts not for what they said but for what they often left unsaid that could be problematic for a business owner.
There was enough time for half the class to present. After the presentations, Hunter walked around the room distributing handouts outlining the requirements for their final projects. He couldn’t believe they were almost at the end of the semester. Chey could be leaving for Virginia soon.
“You may select one of the options listed on this paper. For example, you can choose intellectual property, contracts, et cetera. Read this carefully. Points will be added or removed depending on how well you adhered to the instructions. I’m completely confident that if you apply yourselves, you’ll all do well. On Thursday, we will continue with the presentations. In the meantime, have a great night.”
In the next instant, the only sounds you could hear were footsteps and chairs scraping the floor as students departed the class.
Hunter hung back until the last student had left. He watched Chey purposely avoid him as she walked out. Grabbing his briefcase, he headed for his tête-à-tête with Kenya. She was waiting outside her office. Hunter walked past her and straight into his office. He was going to have this conversation on his turf.
Closing the door behind her, she started right away. “I want to apologize.” She sat slowly. Hunter remained standing. “I was out of line at the reception that night. I don’t know what got into me.” She stopped talking. Hunter remained tight-lipped. He wanted to hear what she had to say before he started. “It will never happen again.”
“I’m sure it won’t.” Kenya hung her head sideways. She looked confused. “Can I ask you a question?”
“Sure, Hunter. Ask me anything.”
“Have you ever had a conversation with Chey Rodgers concerning me?”
Kenya’s mouth opened and closed a few times before words stumbled past her lips. “I was just lookin
g out for you. I didn’t want anyone to see how cozy you two were and think there was something going on. I know how bad you wanted this to work. Someone may have said something. I didn’t want...” she babbled.
Hunter shook his head and gnawed the inside of his bottom lip. He had a feeling that Kenya had done more meddling than he knew about. Keeping his anger at bay was a struggle. “What did you say to her?” Hunter cut off her rambling.
“Uh...nothing bad. I...I just...”
“What did you say to her, Kenya?” His harsh tone startled her, and for a moment, she stared at him.
She looked down. “I told her to stay away from you.”
Hunter slammed his palm against the desk. “Are you serious?” He rubbed his hand down his face. This explained the abrupt shift in her attitude toward him. No wonder she would never call him back. He’d left dozens of messages before he finally stopped calling altogether.
“It was for your own good.”
“Mine or yours?”
Kenya’s mouth opened again, but nothing came out.
Hunter paced the small space, contemplating his next words. “I was surprised at your lack of professionalism at the reception.” He paused to make sure he had her full attention. He did. “While I appreciate any assistance you offered in helping me acquire this adjunct professor opportunity, rest assured that it was my hard work, credentials and merit that ultimately secured the position and it will be those same things that help me keep it. I’ve done a damn good job and have given my all. I certainly don’t appreciate my integrity being undermined by underhanded tactics. At one point, I enjoyed getting to know you. Now I know more than I ever cared to. At this point, it’s best that we keep our interactions strictly professional. If this opportunity is meant for me, then I will get it. If not...well, there are other universities.” Hunter finally sat down with his hand at his chin. “Have a good night, Professor Davis.”
“Hunter.” Kenya stood abruptly. “It doesn’t have to be like this. We may be working together. We should at least be friends.”
“I have a hard time being friends with people that I can’t trust.”
Kenya gasped. For a second, Hunter thought she was about to cry. He took out his cell phone and started scrolling through emails. He refused to be manipulated by her any further. Kenya remained still for a few moments before slowly turning to leave.
Hunter stayed in his office until she’d left. He didn’t want to risk running into her on the way out. Instead, he spent that time talking to his brothers, filling them in on the latest details.
“That’s crazy. You need to watch her, bro,” Drew said.
“I can’t expend my energy that way. I don’t like drama.”
“You did the right thing,” Blake affirmed. “I can’t believe she tried to sabotage your relationship with Chey.”
“I still need to be careful.”
“Right,” Blake added. “You have to make it through your review or at least past her graduation.”
“Unfortunately, she might move back to Virginia after graduation.”
“Why?” both brothers asked.
“If one of those jobs doesn’t manifest, she won’t be able to afford to stay.”
“There’s always your house!” Drew teased. As much as Hunter liked the idea, Chey would never agree to that. “What’s stopping you from still seeing her? Virginia is a short plane ride away,” Drew said.
“Long-distance relationships are not for me.”
“Anything will work with the right woman.”
“Drew!” Blake admonished. “What do you know about the right woman?” All of them laughed. “Seriously, Hunter,” Blake continued. “It sounds like you really care about her.”
“I do.”
“Then you have a lot to think about, but you can’t actually make a move until she graduates.”
“I know, and then it might be too late.” Hunter left his office and talked to his brothers until he reached the train station. I’ll figure something out,” he said before saying goodbye and ending the call.
Chey occupied his mind as he rode the subway back to Brooklyn. Maybe what Kenya had done was best. The lines of friendship he’d hoped to develop with Chey had quickly become marred by his yearning for her. He remembered the few times they’d kissed, which had left them wanting so much more. Who knew what would have happened had they not put some distance between them? His desire for Chey could have blinded his judgment and he might have risked everything that he’d worked for. The only thing left to do now was wait.
When Hunter rose from the subway, his phone dinged several times with alerts from social media posts, texts and emails. He checked his email and sighed at the memo from Martin about wanting to speak with him. “What is it now?” he wondered aloud. Had Kenya spoken to him after their discussion?
Chapter 28
Chey tried her best to maintain some excitement in her voice as she reminisced with her sister and mother about Deanna’s recent trip to New York.
“Mom, you should have seen Chey showing me around as if she’d lived in the city all her life. I had such a great time.”
“Honey, I’d love to do a little sightseeing when your dad and I come up for your graduation. Your aunt Opal is going to mind the shop while we’re gone. I have to admit, now that Deanna’s told me all about her stay, I feel a little better about you being there—just a little.” They all laughed.
“Chey, you have to take Mom to the fashion district. She’s gonna love that. Oh! That museum that you took me to that looks like a work of art itself,” Deanna gasped. “I’ve never seen a building like that before in my entire life. What’s it’s called, again? The Googleheim.”
That elicited a laugh from Chey. “No, silly. It’s the Guggenheim. Say it with me. Gug-gen-heim!”
Deanna and her mother carried the conversation with little input from Chey. She listened, chiming in here and there, until Deanna noticed that she hadn’t said much.
“Chey. What’s wrong?”
“Huh?” Chey had been sitting on the couch leaning against the arm. Now she sat up. “Why do you ask that?”
“You just don’t sound like your usual self. Is everything okay with school?”
“Oh. Sure. I’m just a little tired. Working on these final projects has definitely affected my sleep.”
“Oh. Okay.” Deanna didn’t sound convinced.
“Well, that will all be over within another week. I can’t wait to see you walk across that stage. Oh! I’m so proud of you, baby.”
“Thanks, Mom. I need to get back to my assignments. I’ll chat with you guys later. Don’t forget to let me know when your bus gets in so I can be there to meet you all.”
“I hope you canceled that hotel reservation. I told you to save your money! Dad and I can sleep at your place.”
“No! I insist. I want you and Dad to have a great New York experience.” Chey was adamant. “It’s just one night and it’s already paid for. I booked it through one of the discount travel sites.”
“Mom! Didn’t I tell you the girl lives in a boot box? It’s a little bigger than a shoe box. Where are you, Dad and I supposed to sleep?” Deanna hooted.
“Deanna!” their mother chided. “That’s not nice.”
“Oh, but it’s true, Mom!” Chey added. “Now hush it, Deanna!” The girls laughed. “I gotta go, so I’ll chat with you later. Love you.”
“Love you, too, sweetheart.” Patricia kissed her through the phone.
“Later, sis.”
After ending the call, Chey tossed the phone to the other end of the couch and sighed. She thought about starting to pack but decided to wait. Her parents would want to see her apartment and she didn’t want to have to explain the boxes. She was hopeful that either the apprenticeship opportunity or one of th
e other jobs she had applied for would come through at the last minute and she wouldn’t have to go back home. If not, then she would pack up after graduation and let her landlord know that she would be gone by the end of May. Initially, she’d intended to live out her one-year lease, which would end in October, but without another job, that wouldn’t be possible.
Chey’s phone rang and she reached for it begrudgingly. Right now she wasn’t in the mood to talk, but she looked to see who was calling anyway. When she saw Hunter’s name, she answered immediately.
“Hello.”
“Hey.”
“Hunter. It’s nice to hear from you.” She meant it. The last time they had a real conversation was when he and his brothers came to fix her bed.
“It’s good to hear from you, too. How’s the final project coming along?”
“Actually, it’s coming along well and it’s so interesting. I chose to do my study on Estelle London and I’ve found out so much about the company in my research, but that’s all I will say.”
“Ha! I’ll see it when you hand your project in.”
“Exactly.”
“I wanted to say one thing.” Hunter’s tone became serious, putting Chey on alert.
“Sure.”
“I know that Kenya said something to you about staying away from me.” Chey’s eyes widened as she listened more intently. “I didn’t ask her to do that and I just want to apologize for her behavior and mine.”
“Yours?”
“Yes. I know she didn’t make this semester easy for you, but I’m also apologizing because I should have been more careful. I knew trying to be ‘friends’ with you was risky since, honestly, I wanted more.” Chey’s hand flew to her mouth. “And still do.” Chey balked. “But it wasn’t smart to jeopardize your or my position, so I’m sorry. I hope that once you graduate, maybe we can start fresh.”
“That would be nice.” What should have made Chey excited, actually made her feel dejected. She couldn’t bring herself to tell him she probably wouldn’t be around long enough for a fresh start.