Bad News

by Lilly James

  “Oh yes,” I say with certainty. “And I believe just like school, those tests get harder the older we become. But we learn from each day that passes Hunter. We learn to adapt and change and cry and mend. That’s life.”

  Hunter takes my hand into his lap after kissing it. “How are you so good at this shit?” he narrows his eyes playfully. “I want to be like you when I grow up.”

  I laugh hard, and it feels good because the past two days have been empty of laughs. “I just know what I believe. I think I am good at coping. Good under pressure, maybe.”

  Hunter pushes me, so I am lying down on the bed. He hovers over me, and his hair falls in front of his face. I push it back so I can see him clearly.

  “You’re fucking brilliant.” He kisses me. “Thank you for making me see sense about my dad. If it weren't for you, I would never have gone to see him that day. I believe he wanted to die, but he wanted to do it after he had my forgiveness. Thank you for making me see sense. I would never have forgiven him if wasn’t for you. You have changed my life, Blondie.” He says it like it’s a fact.

  I shake my head in the kindest possible way. “I know only one person who has changed your life.”

  “Who?”

  “Take a look in the mirror.”

  Hunter gets to his feet and stares in the mirror that is on his bedroom wall. “Shit, this handsome son of a bitch needs a haircut.” He says.

  I giggle and meet him by the mirror. He turns to me, and I am looking at the reflection of us hugging.

  “Will you come with me to Greenery Hill?” Hunter says.

  I don’t move, but I watch my brow arch in the mirror. “Greenery Hill? Right now,” Greenery Hill is a couple of miles from here. A small mountain that is peaceful. Where family’s go to picnic or couples go on dates.

  Hunter nods. “I want to clear my head, you know. Before it gets bombarded in the next couple of days.”

  Breaking away from him, I kiss his lips softly. “Let’s go.”

  Chapter 36

  Hunter

  Emotions are a funny thing, really. I don’t know if funny is the right word, but for me, it is. Two days ago, my father was begging for forgiveness on his death bed. I hated him every time I saw his face, but that day, I didn’t see his face. I saw a dying, frail old man face who wanted forgiveness from his son before he took his last breath. My head and heart were torn. They were fighting between what I thought was right, to what I felt was right. I thought a man who abused my mother was worthy of nothing. Especially not my forgiveness. I felt a man, who was my father, who tried to make things right the moment she died, who brought my kid brother up alone the best he could, was worthy of my forgiveness. I felt I owed him that before he passed. Forgiving, like Louisa said, is not condoning, and I realize that now. It’s sad that my father had to die, for me to comprehend my feelings for him.

  I bring my knees up to my chest and wrap my arms around them, and Louisa does the same. Greenery Hill is stunning, if I may get sentimental for a second. It’s peaceful, scenic, and the wind that bustles through my ears from being so high up, helps clear my mind.

  “This is beautiful,” Louisa says, taking in the views around us.

  “It’s where we scattered my mom’s ashes,” I say. “It helps me feel close to her, ya know?”

  Her smile is wide, and she tilts her head. “I do.” Louisa then rests her head on my shoulder. Man, I love this girl.

  “Lou,”

  “Hmm.”

  I glance up to the blue skies that have a scattering of clouds and take a deep breath. “My Gran and I were talking last night, and, we think it's best if I move back to my father’s house. Brody needs stability right now.”

  Louise lifts her head from my shoulder and shifts, so she’s facing me. “I think that’s a good idea.”

  I scratch the back of my neck. Why I am being a pussy about this? “Will you, uh, would you move in with me?” I make a yikes expression straight away in case I’ve come on too strong.

  She’s shocked, I can tell, and I don’t know if it’s a good shocked.

  “You want to live with me?” she says.

  I bite the side of my lip. “I mean, I know we’re young, but we practically live together now,” I raise my brow, “don’t we?”

  “Uh, yeah, but…”

  “But?” I say. Oh, shit, I feel a knock back afoot. She cannot knock me back. I have to bring out the big gun. And no, not the one in my pants, I mean my heart. “Listen, Lou,” I climb to my knees. “I’ll decorate the house. We can look after Brody, still go to college every day. We finish our studies. We keep the same aspirations, but just together, under one roof.”

  “I know but…”

  “Louisa, you once asked how I knew I was in love with you,” she’s listening intently. “I told you I just know, but now I really know Lou!” I take both her hands in mine. “I am in love with you because my heart aches when I think of you. My mind is consumed by you and by the memories we make together every single day.” I scoot towards her. “I knew I was going to fall in love with you from the moment I met you in the hall that day. Louisa, I love you today, I will love you more tomorrow, and I will keep loving you forever after that. One day I will marry you Louisa Dawson, and we will live happily ever after. So, let’s make a start. Are you down for that?” I grin.

  Louisa bites her wobbling lip. “I’m down for that.” She says, finally grinning. Thank all that is holy for that!

  I see in her eyes what I have wanted to see for so long. Adoration, desire, the look of love. That’s all I’ve ever wanted, to be loved by someone like her.

  I climb to my feet and pull her with me. Standing behind her, I wrap my arms around her stomach and rest my chin on her shoulder. “The next few weeks are going to be tough, Lou, I know that, but with you by my side, showing me that I can get through anything that life throws in my way, I think I will be okay.”

  She turns around, and I know in my heart that the tears in her eyes are happy tears. My whole-body fills with pride knowing I make this girl happy. “I know we will be okay, Hunter. If we’re honest with each other, if we stick together, then nothing can stop us.”

  I kiss her lips, once, twice, three times. “My heart belongs to you, Louisa Dawson, please take care of it.”

  Louisa beams. “Always.”

  Epilogue

  Louisa

  “I can’t believe you’re leaving me.” Fallon groans.

  I zip up the last suitcase containing my belongings and laugh. “Fallon, I will be like, a five-minute drive away. I will still see you every day.”

  “Still.” She whines, stuffing my pillow into a trash bag.

  We both turn to the door when there is a knock, and Bree lets herself in.

  “All ready to go?”

  Bree has offered to help me move my things over to Hunter's house. Strictly speaking, our house. Just thinking about living with Hunter evokes a wave of excitement that speeds up the beat of my heart.

  “I’m glad you finally worked it out with Louisa,” Fallon says to Bree. “I mean, once Hunter had his sights set on Blondie over there,” she smirks at me. “He wasn’t really going to go and fuck you too, was he?”

  I roll my eyes. Fallon has expressed her dislike for Bree on many occasions, but today, Bree lets that comment slide.

  Bree twists her hair up into a messy bun. “You’re right. I did act a bitch. But I’m happy for them now.” She throws her arm around my shoulder. “My sister deserves happiness.”

  “I’ll drink to that.” Axel waltz into my dorm holding a bottle of cheap champagne. “Celebration?”

  “Axel,” Fallon frowns. “You don’t drink.”

  “But this is a special occasion.”

  I laugh. “I thought you didn’t like Hunter.”

  Axel pushes his glasses up his nose stiffly. “I mean, I didn’t. But I guess he’s okay.”

  “I’m more than okay, McLovin’.” Hunter comes in from behind him.

  Axe
l grits his teeth. “Did I say he was okay? I didn’t mean it.”

  “Lighten up.” Hunter laughs, smacking Axel’s back so hard his glasses fall lopsided. Hunter's blue eyes lock with mine, and the smile he produces stimulates everything that can be stimulated between my legs. “Move that sweet little ass, Blondie. We have rooms to christen.”

  I giggle when he picks me up and swings me around. He’s been so excited for this day to come. Hunter has had help from Jaxon, Ashby and Dexter with the decorating, and we’ve been waiting for the end of the semester to move in.

  Fallon throws a pillow at us. “Please don’t make out in front of Axel, you know he gets hard over shit like that.”

  “Fuck you, Fallon.” Axel hits back.

  “Hey,” Hunter glances back and forth Axel and Fallon. “When are you both just going to admit that you’re fucking. It would be easier for all of us.”

  I swat Hunter’s' shoulder, and he laughs.

  Fallon makes a gagging noise. “In his dreams.” But then I see her smile shyly at Axel, and he quickly smiles back.

  I grin, loving their little secret.

  “Okay,” Bree takes hold of one of my suitcases. The lightest one. You know, just in case she breaks a nail. “Let’s shoot.”

  It’s all hands-on deck. Fallon and Axel take boxes of stationary and shoes and head out of the door. I’m about to take the bigger suitcase, but Hunter pulls on the back of my sweater.

  “What you doing?” I giggle, as he kisses up my neck.

  “You.” He grins devilishly. He walks me towards the door and gently pushes me against it. “I do believe I haven’t fucked you against this door yet. Have I?” I bite my bottom lip and shake my head. “This is our last chance to fuck in your dorm room before you leave.” He turns to glance around the room. “Would you like a goodbye fuck?”

  I pull on the color of his t-shirt. “Yes, please.”

  His hands are already unbuttoning my jeans. His fingertips are warm as they slide along my thighs. I tug down his jeans, dig my nails into his butt and pull him towards me.

  I gasp. He’s hard. And I’m wet.

  “He’s to our new adventure together.” He breathes against my lips.

  “It’s going to be one hell of a ride,” I smirk.

  Hunter groans–satisfied. “You better believe it, baby.”

  THE END