On the Rocks (Last Call #1)(65)

Throwing the covers back, I roll out of bed and pull on my jeans and a t-shirt. I can hear the murmuring of voices from the kitchen and assume Hunter’s talking to his early morning visitor.

When I open the bedroom door, the voices filter in clear and I realize it’s Brody in the kitchen. His words stop me in my tracks. “You need to do this, Hunter.”

I hear Hunter sigh and can actually envision him raking his hand through his hair. “I don’t know, man. I thought I had it figured out.”

“Well, just so there’s no hesitation on your part as relates to the bar, I’ve got your back. I’ll handle it while you’re gone and gladly hand it back over to you when you get back. Whenever that may be.”

My breath freezes, and I realize they’re talking about Hunter leaving for the Tour. I immediately consider heading back to the bedroom, because I’m so eavesdropping right now, and I have no clue if this is a private conversation. I’m hesitant to walk into the kitchen, because let’s face it… Brody isn’t the most loquacious person in the world, and I don’t want to impede upon him finally talking straight to his brother.

So I hang in limbo, hiding in the hallway, and listening in on their talk.

“Thanks, Brody. That means a lot.”

“So when will you leave?”

“If I accept, probably within a week.”

“What do you mean ‘if I accept’? Isn’t this a done deal?”

“Fuck no,” Hunter says in exasperation. “I’m just not sure.”

“Something wrong with the offer?”

“No.”

“Something wrong with your ability to surf?”

“Of course not.”

“Something wrong with me watching Last Call while you’re gone?”

“You know there’s not,” Hunter growls.

“Then it’s Gabby,” Brody says emphatically.

“Keep your voice down,” Hunter hisses. “She’s in the bedroom sleeping, and of course it’s Gabby.”

My heart starts pounding as I realize that Hunter is very much factoring me into the equation as to whether or not he stays or goes. A rush of feelings plow through me from extreme love that he cares for me enough to walk away from fame and glory, to sickness over the fact he might actually walk away from fame and glory for me.

“Dude… you know I like Gabby, but don’t f*ck this up over a woman. Nothing is more important than this shot you’re being handed.”

Well, we both wondered which team Brody was going to be on, and he’s clearly in the same corner as Sasha and Keith.

“Brody… I love her. I don’t know that this shot is more important than Gabby is. I think she might be the most important thing that’s ever happened to me in my life.”

I can hear a low whistle coming from Brody, and then he says in a low voice, “If she loved you the way you love her, she wouldn’t hold you back.”

“That’s just it… she’s not holding me back. She’ll support me if I go.”

“Then what’s the f*cking problem?”

“I don’t know,” Hunter says in a tired voice. “It’s just not sitting right with me. I think I need to talk this through with Gabby some more… see if I can get some better perspective.”

I hear chair stools scraping on the floor and realize that Brody must be getting ready to leave, so I hightail it back to Hunter’s bedroom. Quickly shucking off my clothes, I crawl back under the covers with my heart racing.

Hunter is considering not going back on the Tour because of me. I’m floored, stunned beyond belief, and I’m really not quite sure how I feel about that. On the one hand, I’ve been dreading the thought of being away for him for so many months out of the year.

On the other hand, we’re both young and have all the time in the world to be together. This opportunity for Hunter is fleeting. It could be the biggest regret of his life if he passes this up. And there’s no way in hell I want to be tied to that.

When the bedroom door opens, I think about feigning sleep but realize my heart is still beating far too erratically to pull it off well. So I roll over and say, “Hey”.

“Hey,” he whispers as he pulls his clothes off and slips back into bed.

“Who was that?” I ask as a means of giving him a lead in to talk to me. That’s what he told Brody… that he wanted to talk to me about this more.

“Just Brody,” he says and offers no more. Instead, he rolls to the side and pulls me into his body, my backside resting flush against his front. He curves an arm around my waist and squeezes. “Let’s go back to sleep for a bit.”

“I’m not tired,” I tell him so he knows I’m available to talk.

Just lay it on me, babe. I’m right here.

“I’m not tired either,” he murmurs, while nuzzling into my neck with his mouth.

“So what do you want to talk about?” I prod, opening the door wide open for him to walk through into conversation land.

“Don’t wanna talk,” he whispers, the arm that’s around my waist now loosening so his palm lays flat on my stomach. Heat courses through me at his touch… the tone of his voice, because I know damn well what he wants to do, and God help me… I want it too.