you doing?" I asked, looking at him like he was crazy.
"I got a little cold and you're hogging the fire so," he said, while practically picking me up and depositing me a few feet away so that I wasn't at the opening of the fireplace, "Move over."
I swatted at his hands but was also slightly impressed by the fact that it seemed like it took little to no effort for him to move me a few feet.
"Continue reading," he said. Not really asking, but ordering.
I dog-eared a page. "Um," I said, looking at him like he had four eyes, "no."
"Pay," I gave him a look, "Sorry. Paisley. What happened? We were sitting here for like two hours. I think we can finish the book."
"I don't want to. And plus, my eyes hurt." I rubbed my eyes for effect and went to get up.
Hunter grabbed my hand. Feelings rushed through me. "Stop that," I said, swatting him away.
"Paisley," he said, standing up with me this time, "can you just stop for a second? Stop swatting me away and being such a bitch and just sit here for a second?"
I frowned, "Why should I? I have someone, Hunter. I have no business hanging out with my ex-boyfriend, much less snuggling close to a fire and with him."
"When is Baxter coming here?"
I rolled my eyes, "Okay, you're not even trying anymore. It's Braden."
"Gay," he said, rolling his eyes. I decided not to respond to that.
"He'll be here in two days. Why?"
"I was just wondering," he said, and he started towards the door. "Alright," he said, turning around to face me quickly, "Tomorrow. You and I are going to spend the day together. We haven't seen each other in 4 years. I promise not to be too inappropriate. And since you're obviously completely over me, you shouldn't have an issue with spending the day with an old friend."
Before I could answer, he walked out of the room.
I heard him call from the hallway, "Oh, and make sure you dress warmly. It may not feel that cold out there, but riding the bike in the wind kinda sucks without a jacket."
CHAPTER 9:
HOW BIZARRE
Surprisingly, Braden had no problem with my spending the day with Hunter. I wasn't exactly surprised, per say - I knew Braden was very secure. He wasn't really the jealous type. The next morning, there was a knock at my door just as I had done the clasp on my bra. It started to open before I could say anything.
"Alright, Pay," Hunter said, coming in, "We should get a move on if we - whoa," he stopped short. I was only in my underwear. I stood there, frozen. I didn't know what to do. I decided to go with my very first instinct.
I sprinted to my closet, opened the door and jumped in.
"Get out, get out, get OUT!" I screamed, so embarrassed I could have died right there.
Hunter was laughing, "Damn, Pay. That was totally my bad. I guess I should've waited for a response after I knocked." I could practically hear him shrugging when he said, "Live and learn and all that jazz."
I heard my bed creak under his weight. I couldn't believe it. He wasn't leaving.
"Hunter, I know you're a little slow sometimes, but seriously?! Can you please get out!?" It was dark in my closet. I didn't like small spaces, but there was no way I was going to leave the closet the way I was ‘dressed’.
"I don't feel like getting up," he said, sighing. The bed creaked again. He was probably lying down. "How about I promise to close my eyes until you're done?"
"Yeah, right. Because I can trust that," I said, but slightly opening the door. I peeked around the opening and spotted him. He was lying down, feet on the floor, though. And he had his hands over his face.
"You obviously did since you came out," he said, not moving.
"I thought you said you wouldn't look," I said, annoyed.
"I heard the door, you weirdo," He blindly grabbed for a pillow, and he placed it over his face. "There," he said, muffled because of the pillow, "better?"
"Not much, but I guess if