The Athlete

by Elin Peer

  A bag… I needed a bag to pack it in. I got down on all four and reached under my bed for the largest bag I had, but I had stuffed too many things under the bed and I was crying with frustration when the stupid bag was stuck.

  With a last yank, I tore at the bag and finally got it free from the other two bags it had been tangled with.

  “What are you doing hiding under the bed?”

  The sound of Hunter’s voice had me banging my head against the frame of the bed and I gave a loud cry.

  “Do you need help?”

  “No!” I got out and sat up on my knees.

  Hunter stood in the doorway with a serious expression on his face, his eyes taking in all his things on the bed between us. “What’s going on?”

  “I thought you and Cole were at Experi.”

  “No, I only asked him to tell you that.”

  “Cole lied to me, again?” My tone was shrill.

  “I was pissed at you for taking my hybrid so I figured that I’d return the favor and piss you off by letting you think I was going to the club. The last time it made you miserable.”

  “Well… obviously, you haven’t heard the message I left for you because if you had, you’d know that I don’t care anymore. What you did tonight was wrong. I can’t trust you and I don’t want you living here anymore.”

  Hunter leaned against the doorframe. “Don’t you think you’re overreacting?”

  “Me?”

  “Yes, you.”

  “You could have been killed or injured. I told you not to go hunting and you did it anyway after you promised me not to.”

  “I never promised you that I wouldn’t go.”

  “Yes, you did. I’m sure of it.”

  “You heard what you wanted to hear, but I know for a fact that I never gave you that promise.”

  “Don’t pretend you didn’t know I was against it.”

  “I’m not. But you wouldn’t even have known about it if wasn’t because the stupid cat took so long to find.”

  Not knowing what else to do, I began packing his clothes in the bag with harsh movements.

  “Come on, Ema, you know that I did it for you, right?”

  I kept focusing on his clothes.

  “I went after that cougar to protect you and Jonah. I was hoping to be back before you returned from taking Don home. It seemed like an easy way to solve the problem.”

  “Well, you might have solved Cole’s problem, but you created some new ones for yourself. I’m furious with you.”

  “Can we talk about this without you ripping my clothes apart?”

  “I’m not ripping it apart. I’m stuffing it in a bag.”

  “The only reason Cole and Don called for me was to find the cougar. Don was smart enough to know that he killed a big male and that the female mate would stay close.”

  “No, they called you to sew him up.”

  Hunter sighed. “That was a cover, Ema. Who in their right mind would prefer stitches over glue or Blood Blocker Gel?”

  “But he said that the glue doesn’t stick and that the blocker hurt too much.”

  “I’m not saying it was the greatest plan, but after Don was attacked he told Cole that they needed to get hold of an Nman to hunt the animal down. I was the first one who popped up in Cole’s mind. You weren’t supposed to be there.”

  “Cole told you this?”

  “He was trying to protect your family park, you, and Jonah.”

  “And you let him use you?”

  “Ema, I’ve been hunting since I was a child. Going after the cougar was exciting to me.”

  I stood with a pair of his pants in my hands and in reaction to his words, I threw them down. “Was it exciting to know that you were causing me pain?”

  “Of course not. My biggest fear was that I would have to kill it and you might hate me for it, or that I wouldn’t make it back before you returned from Don’s house and you would worry. But I never fucking thought you’d take my hybrid.”

  I raised my chin. “It feels awful to be left behind, doesn’t it?”

  “I had to take a community drone to get back here. It took more than an hour.”

  “But Cole only texted me ten minutes ago. I can’t believe him. I told him to let me know as soon as you returned.”

  “I figured, but I asked him to let me get home first.”

  “He’s my brother.”

  Hunter stepped into the room. “But he owed me after capturing the cougar for him.”

  My hands fell to my hips and I lowered my brow. “Did you kill her?”

  “The cougar? No. I found it scared and hissing at me.”

  “She’s not an it.”

  “All right. But the point is that unlike her mate, she won’t be killed by an angry biker. Cole will make sure she’s relocated to a nice place with other cougars. I never meant to hurt your feelings. It only took so long because the stupid cat took to the trees and then jumped a ravine that I couldn’t cross. I had to go around to pick up the trail again and it was fucking uphill all the way.”

  “I know that ravine. We use that area of the park for a wilderness adventure where people can zipline back across the ravine. And you know what I also know?” My tone was snarky. “I know where the rope bridge is to cross the ravine, which I would have shown you if you hadn’t left me behind.

  Hunter stood his ground. “Hey, it’s not like you volunteered to go hunting for the cougar so why would I bring you?”

  He had a point, but I wasn’t done. “And what about that bull about you going to the club? That was…” I swallowed and shook my head, my pulse still racing.

  “Mean, I know, but I was angry at you for taking my hybrid and, well, the truth is that I’m not the nicest Nman you’ll ever meet.”

  His comment was meant to make me smile, but I was too riled up and hurt to have a sense of humor.

  “Why didn’t you accept my call?”

  “I was getting out of the drone when you called and I thought it would be better to see you face to face.”

  The bag was full and I pushed it aside and sank down to sit with my back to him, my eyes staring out the window without seeing anything. I was coming down from my adrenaline high and felt a massive wave of fatigue.

  “Look, I know you disagree with my decision to go after the cougar, but done is done and I would do it again if it meant protecting you.”

  “I don’t want you to put yourself in danger to protect me.” My words sounded like they were coming from someone else.

  “I’m afraid that’s my nature.”

  With my eyes glazed over, I digested Hunter’s words and the betrayal I had felt tonight. For at least a full minute neither of us spoke and then he played the angry message I had left him.

  My eyes closed and I sat stiff as a board as my own voice filled the room.

  “This thing between us is over. I mean it, Hunter. Whatever it was, it’s over. I know you went back to the sex club tonight and I don’t care. I’ll make sure to pack your stuff and place it outside my door. And don’t worry. I’ll leave the bag from Shelly outside so you can try the stuff out with your next girlfriend. I’ll see you at practice and I’d appreciate if you just leave me alone from now on.”

  Hunter’s steps sounded heavy as he walked down the hallway, away from me.

  I should get up and go after him, explain that I’d been hurt, angry, and terrified that something would happen to him – but my thoughts had me captured in a state of analysis by paralysis and I couldn’t move.

  More steps. This time coming back.

  “Emanuela.”

  “Yes.” I was sitting like a statue with tears running down my cheeks, and my back still to the doorway where he was standing.

  “Did you mean what you said in that message?”

  I pressed the word out. “No.”

  “Oh…”

  Why did he sound disappointed?

  In a slow movement, I managed to break free of my trance and turn around to face him
. He frowned when he saw me crying.

  “Hey…” Taking four long strides, Hunter was by my side and squatting down in front of me. “Come here.” He pulled me against his shoulder.

  “This was supposed to be a great night and now it’s all ruined.” My words were muffled against his body.

  “What did you say?”

  I cried some more.

  “Emanuela, the only thing I really heard in your message was the part about finding a new girlfriend to have sex with.”

  My crying intensified.

  “Hold on a second.” He was cupping my face and forcing me to look at him. “You called yourself my girlfriend. Did you mean that?”

  I sniffled and lifted my hands to my nose. “What?”

  “Are you my girlfriend?”

  My eyes were blinking and I was trying to gather my thoughts. “Did I say that?”

  “Yes, you said something about me using Shelly’s products with a new girlfriend. But that would mean that you saw yourself as my girlfriend.” His eyes were burning with intensity.

  “I said a lot of things in that message.”

  “Yes. But the only thing I care about is that one thing. Did you see yourself as my girlfriend?”

  Drying my eyes, I nodded. “I think so.”

  Hunter’s eyes closed and he let out a deep breath before opening them again. “Can we just pretend you didn’t say the rest about breaking up with me? Can we go back to you being mad at me but still being my girlfriend?”

  I used the heels of my hands to dry my tears away. “Are you sure you want that? You just said that I was overreacting.”

  “That’s okay.” Hunter kissed me. “You can get mad at me and tell me I’m an ass. Just don’t give up on me. On us.”

  “Us?”

  His forehead leaned against mine and he intertwined our hands. “I’m going to piss you off, it’s inevitable. Couples do that.”

  “They do?”

  “All the time. Did you think it would be all rosy?”

  “No, I don’t see how it could be with us. We’ve been arguing from the beginning.”

  “And yet, I’m still crazy about you.” He kissed me. “So what do you say, can I be your mate?”

  “My mate?”

  “Yes. If you’re my girlfriend, then that makes you my mate, doesn’t it?”

  “I thought you had to be married for that.”

  He drew back a bit watching me. “You know that’s what I ultimately want. But how about we just put that question on hold for a while?”

  I opened my mouth to answer, but he kissed me and guided me back on the bed. “For now, let’s get back to our original plan of making love all night.”

  CHAPTER 27

  Control

  Hunter

  I woke up before Emanuela did and it gave me a chance to go over everything that had happened yesterday.

  Still confused about her strong reaction, I got out of bed and went to the kitchen to make myself a strong cup of coffee. My fingers were drumming the kitchen counter as questions went flying through my brain. Feeling like my head was going to explode, I called up Willow to seek advice.

  She answered on my third call. “Good morning. I’m not doing a hologram because I’m still in bed.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry if I woke you up.”

  “No, you didn’t. Blaze and Samba already did that. Solo just took them outside to run off some steam.”

  “Hey, can I ask you something?”

  “Yes, of course – you can ask me anything.”

  “Emanuela and I, we had a situation yesterday. She got more than just a little pissed at me because I didn’t do as she wanted me to.”

  Willow yawned. “You Nmen never do as we women want you to. What’s new in that?”

  “I know, but yesterday she freaked out and got so mad that she took my hybrid and left me behind.”

  “Whoa, Hunter, what did you do?” Her hologram popped up above my wrist.

  “I thought you said that you didn’t want me to see you.”

  “Well, that was because I didn’t know it was so serious. What made her mad at you?”

  “I saved her ass, is what I did.”

  “Oh, let me guess, she didn’t like you playing a hero?”

  “No, she didn’t.”

  “Did you beat up some guy for looking at her?”

  “No. Nothing like that.”

  Willow lowered her brow. “Then what?”

  “I just caught a small female cougar for her brother Cole, who asked for help. Any decent man would have done the same.”

  “You went hunting?” Willow’s voice rose to a shriek.

  “Emanuela didn’t want me to but it truly wasn’t a big deal.”

  “What were you thinking? Have you forgotten the big five that we Motlanders live by?” Willow didn’t wait for my answer but listed them, “No killing, no greed, no borders, no pollution, and equality for all.”

  “I remember. But they never made sense. First of all, there’s still a big fucking border between our countries and there’s never been equality in the Motherlands with your all-female council.”

  “No killing, Hunter. It’s the first rule.”

  “I didn’t kill the cat. I just caught her, numbed her and carried her back to Cole in a secure package that he can ship off to live somewhere away from humans.”

  “But you said that Emanuela left you behind.”

  “Yeah, and she fucking blocked my drone from returning to me. I had to take one of their worn-out community drones back to the apartment and she was still mad when I got here.”

  “Then what happened?”

  “We talked and ended up making love again.”

  “Again?”

  “Well, it’s complicated. The point is that I’m fucking lost.”

  “Hey, babe.” I heard Solo’s voice in the background.

  “Oh, hey, I’m just talking to Hunter. Emanuela is furious with him because he went hunting last night.”

  “Nice; did you catch something good, Hunter?”

  I could still only see my sister, but her face turned, probably to look at her husband. “Seriously, Solo, that’s not funny. I’m with Emanuela on this one. Hunting is brutal and should be illegal all over the world.”

  I rolled my eyes but I didn’t have to say anything because Solomon did it for me with a teasing tone. “Tell that to all the predators in the wild, will you? Tell them to stop hunting for their food because it’s not a nice thing to do. We should all be friends.”

  “Argh – you’re just taking Hunter’s side because you’re both Nmen.”

  “No, it’s because we’re right.” I was still reluctant to trust Solo, but after our talk the other day with Jonah at the Gray Manor, we’d shared a few beers together in the evening, and at least on the subject of hunting we agreed.

  “Willow didn’t tell me that you and Emanuela were a couple. When did that happen?”

  “I told you he was in love with her.”

  “Yeah, but if they’re fighting it must mean there’s more than just flirting between them. So what’s the story, Hunter? Have you claimed her yet?”

  I gave a proud smile. “I have.”

  Willow sighed with joy. “You have? Oh, Hunter, that’s wonderful. I’m so happy for you.”

  Solo chuckled. “See, I told you there was no need for you to meddle and set him up with dates. Hunter can handle his own business.”

  Willow was smiling widely. “Did Emanuela agree to marry you?”

  “I haven’t asked her yet. But what was that thing about you setting me up with dates?”

  “Nothing.” The guilty expression on Willow’s face was a dead giveaway.

  “You might as well confess.”

  “I just worried about you so I talked to your coach about her helping you on a few dates. You know, because I wanted you to find love and be happy.”

  “That explains it. Well, I’d appreciate it if you left my love life to me.”


  “Says the man who is calling for my advice on how to handle his woman’s anger.”

  “You should tell Hunter about the massage thing. Maybe it works on all women.” Solomon sounded like he’d just had the brightest idea ever.

  I had taken a sip of my coffee and put the cup down. “What massage thing?”

  “No, it’s silly.”

  “Tell me anyway.”

  “It’s just that Solo realized that if he massages my feet or my scalp, I get very mellow.”

  “Maybe it works on all women.” Solo must have gotten into the bed with Willow because he was close enough for his hologram to pop up next to hers. “If Emanuela is furious, try sneaking in a bit of massage and she’ll be fine. Works like a charm with Willow.”

  “All we women aren’t the same, you know. It’s not like we’re robots programmed to like the same things or act the same way.”

  “Hey, no need to be grumpy about it.” Solo pulled her in and let a hand massage her scalp. As if on cue, Willow closed her eyes.

  “Looks easy enough.”

  “Yup, works on the puppies too.” Solo grinned and it was so infectious that I couldn’t help smiling back at him.

  A sound from the bedroom made me lean to the side to look down the hallway. “I think Emanuela just woke up.”

  “Perfect, then you can try it out. If it works you can buy me a beer the next time you come home.”

  “Deal.” I ended the call, downed my last bit of coffee, and popped in a tooth cleaner before going back into the bedroom. “Morning.”

  Emanuela stretched under the covers and her dark hair was all over the place. “Good morning.”

  “Do you want a tooth cleaner?” I held one out for her and she opened her mouth. “Here you go.”

  Her moan had me smiling and I crawled back into bed to cuddle with her. “I feel like I played five soccer games yesterday. What did you do to me?”

  “Do you want me to take it from the beginning? First I kissed and licked your body and then I made love to you in as many positions as I could think off”

  “What was it you called the last one?”

  “The reversed cowgirl.”

  “Yeah.” Still lying on her stomach, she yawned and smiled at me. “I liked that one.”