The Past Between Us novel Chapter 28

He said midnight.

"Meet me outside at midnight."

I still remembered his words clearly.

I checked my watch for the hundredth time. It was half an hour past midnight and Hunter was nowhere in sight.

I checked my phone hoping that he'd left me some sort of explanation but there was nothing.

I shook my head.

He stood you up Scarlett, just accept it.

I felt pathetic standing alone outside my house waiting for Hunter when he clearly didn't give a damn about his commitment. He probably didn't even remember that he promised to meet me.

What is wrong with me?

Why do I keep doing this to myself?

Giving him the benefit of the doubt and then getting disappointed again and again.

I slowly made my way back inside my house. My father was away on some business meeting so I was alone for the night.

I trudged to my room and flopped onto my bed.

I tried to stop thinking about Hunter but I couldn't.

He hadn't changed. Nothing had changed.

And it hurt.

I couldn't believe he still had that sort of power over me. A single action of his could still make me feel utterly broken. I'd promised myself that I'd be strong, that I couldn't let someone affect me this way but it seemed like I was still the pathetic little girl from three years ago.

I had trusted him and that was my mistake.

How many times did I have to get hurt before I learned my lesson?

Why couldn't my heart just let go of him?

~~~

My eyes opened slowly.

I must have fallen asleep. Something had woken me up.

Then I heard it, distinct tapping on my balcony door.

My eyes darted to my alarm clock. It was past 2 AM.

I groaned.

There was only one person I knew who used the balcony instead of the front door.

I could see his silhouette standing outside in the dark.

I sighed and got out of bed, making my way towards the balcony.

"What do you want Hunter?" I hissed.

I heard his soft sigh. "You're that mad?"

It was pretty dark out so I couldn't really see his face.

"Was that some kind of sick joke to prove that I'm an idiot? Well, you made your point. Now get out." I was surprised at how even my voice was.

"Let me explain." He pleaded gently but I cut him off.

"I don't want to hear anything. You had your chance it's too late now. I'm not kidding, you need to leave Hunter. Now."

I turned away from him and walked back into my room.

I sighed in exasperation when I heard him follow me.

I turned to face him and was about to give him a piece of my mind but I gasped instead.

The light from my room illuminated his face, which was covered with bruises and cuts.

"What happened to you?" I asked in horror.

He shrugged. "Had a race today. Ryder and his buddies didn't take my winning well."

"They did this to you?" I whispered in shock.

He looked at me and his face softened. "It's not as bad as it looks." His eyes turned pleading. "I swear I tried to keep my promise, Scarlett. I was going to come to you as soon as the race ended but then the fight broke out and the cops got involved... it was all a big mess. I'm sorry."

He was imploring me with his eyes, trying to get me to understand. "Please give me another chance?"

I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to sort out my emotions.

"No." I whispered finally. I opened my eyes to look at him. "No more chances Hunter."

His face contorted in pain at my words and I ignored the sharp pang of pain I felt in my chest.

"I can't keep doing this Hunter. I can't keep watching you hurt yourself like this. I can't accept a person who has no regard for his own life."

He just stood there absorbing my words. His eyes boring holes into my soul.

"You don't like seeing me hurt." He murmured softly, his lips turning up in amusement.

He thinks this is funny.

I could feel myself getting angry all over again.

"Can you please just go now?" I grit out.

"No."

I scoffed. "What do you mean n-"

I didn't get a chance to finish my sentence. A strangled scream left my lips as I was suddenly hoisted up and over Hunter's shoulder.

"What the hell?!" I shrieked as I started swaying upside down.

A wave of dizziness hit me as he started walking.

"Hunter Adams put me down this instant!" I demanded but he just ignored me.

The scenery moved around me as he carried me down stairs and outside. He kept walking.

Oh God.

Is he going to kill me?

I contemplated calling for help but it was past 2AM in the morning and there wasn't a single soul in sight.

He just kept walking.

And walking.

My vision was starting to get blurry from being held upside-down so long.

Finally, what seemed like after an eternity, he set me down. I stumbled a little on my feet, trying to get my head to stop spinning.

Once I'd gathered my bearings, I attacked.

I screamed as I aimed punches and slaps at him but he dodged each and every one successfully.

I was getting frustrated as hell.

I raised my hand again to punch him but this time he grabbed it. He jerked me forward to his chest and spun me around. I tried struggling against him but it was useless.

I finally gave up. He loosened his grip on me but didn't let go completely. For the first time I took in my surroundings.

A surprised gasp left my lips.

He'd bought me to the clearing.

But that's not why I was taken aback.

It was the view in front of me.

The clearing trees were decorated by beautiful Chinese lanterns hanging from the branches. The light from the lanterns made the whole place look ethereal. A small table and two chairs had been placed right in the middle of the clearing. I could see a picnic basket sitting on top of the table.

"It's beautiful." I whispered.

"Let's sit, shall we?" He murmured in my ear softly.

I could only loom around completely dumbfounded. I allowed him to guide me to the table lit by a single candle. A small picnic basket sat in the middle.

Why was my father's fiancé calling Hunter?

Hunter's gaze softened as it turned to me. "I'm sorry, this will just take a second, okay?"

I gave him a small nod.

He stood up and walked a few feet away before taking the call.

I had to really strain my ears to pick up bits and pieces of the conversation.

The coolness in Hunter's voice was what surprised me the most.

I focused on what he was saying,

"I told you that I'm done."

"She's not my business."

"I don't give a shit about his reputation. She needs help."

"If anyone I care about gets hurt again, there will be hell to pay."

I heard him sigh.

"Fine, I'll see if I can find her."

I saw him end the call and I pretended to be really interested in my nails.

"We should go." He murmured. He sounded exhausted all of a sudden.

I just nodded and got up.

I didn't ask him about the call. I knew it wasn't something he was willing to share with me.

We walked in comfortable silence.

Dawn was just starting to break as we reached our block. Streaks of pink and orange stretched across the sky, making everything look almost dreamlike.

He walked me to my door and we just stood there for a while, unsure.

"Thank you." I finally whispered, "For everything."

He just stared at me for a while before bending down to touch his forehead to mine. "You are everything."

I could feel my heart thudding in my chest wildly.

He stepped back, his lips forming into a small smile. "Good morning." He winked before finally turning to walk away.

I shook my head as I stepped inside the house. My lips spread into a wide grin.

I realized that it was the first time in three years that I was actually happy.

I'm happy.

My grin widened as I stepped into my room.

"Well you're in a good mood."

I froze.

My happiness evaporated into thin air.

"What are you doing here, Nichole?" I hissed.

"Waiting for you, duh." She shrugged.

"Get out before I call the cops!" I spit out.

She chuckled coldly.

"I don't think that's very good idea."

And then I saw it, my eyes widened in horror.

It was as if it happened in slow motion. I saw her hand move up.

She aimed her gun straight at my forehead.