The Secrets That Free Us

Chapter 6

I think my eyes are playing tricks on me for the briefest of moments but as soon as I take in his features I know it's definitely him.

Hunter Adams.

Hunter was probably the only person outside of my family who I ever truly felt comfortable with.

He was my tormentor and my bestfriend all wrapped into one handsomely presented package.

He lived next door with his mother Eva, who is still very good friends with my own mother.

He used to play pranks on me when I was little, or steal my Barbie dolls. Anything so that he could be the center of attention.

As we got older the pranks died down and our friendship blossomed into something so strong and unique I think it took us both by surprise, yet it was so natural. To us anyway.

Not everyone felt that way about mine and Hunter's friendship. I was never popular and I was always more into books and movies than interacting with the real world. Hunter was the opposite of my reclusive self. He was the notorious bad boy, constantly getting into fights and trouble. The school rebel and the class clown. Not to mention the main star in most of the girls from schools fantasies and rumors.

Hunter was never popular by choice, however his cold demeanor and dangerous vibe meant that everyone wanted to know him and his attention was high in demand. So, when he spent all his free time with me it was a safe bet that some of the girls from school were going to get pissy about that.

The one person I trusted with my life. The person who I lost my virginity to. The person who I confided in. And then ultimately, the person who disappeared one night and broke what was left of my heart in the process.

My emotions are a whirlwind right now and I don't know if I'm happy to see him and want to hug him or if I'm furious and want to slap him and then demand answers to my lingering questions that have been burning inside of me for the last two years.

He stands from his seated position on my front steps and I notice how much taller he has gotten.

Actually, a lot has changed about Hunter. His once muddy brown hair is border lining on black now. He has a slight stubble littering his face now reminding me of just how much time has went by since he left me and he's now an older version of the boy I once knew.

He's always been in decent shape but I notice that his black leather jacket is stretched tight across his broad chest and torso. His black jeans also mold against his apparently thick thighs and I wonder for a brief moment what his workout routine is because god himself could have sculpted this fine creature by hand for all I know.

"Hey gorgeous" His deep voice rumbles and I realize I've been staring at him with my mouth hanging open and more than likely drooling for the last however long we've been standing out here.

I'm not sure if it's the cold chill of the nights air or the vibration from Hunter's voice washing over me but I suddenly feel a shiver run through my body.

I snap my eyes up to meet Hunter's when it resonates with me that he spoke and I'm still standing here like and idiot and when I do my heart breaks all over again.

His eyes are still the most beautiful shade of blue I've ever seen. Light enough that if you catch them in the right light they look almost transparent, but not too light that they've lost any depth too them. It's almost like looking into the clearest see you could imagine. But now his eyes look tired, troubled. The purple bags under his eyes making the blue crystals shine even more but also making the pain in them more noticeable.

"What are you doing here?" I try to sound strong, confident. But my voice comes out in a mere hoarse whisper.

He rubs the back of his neck as he takes a step closer to me, a move I recognize as a nervous gesture. "I'm back" He tells me with a small, unsure smile.

"For good?" I ask, my voice leveling it's self out as anger starts to rise within me.

"Yeah. I was hoping we could talk?"

I start thinking about his question and the anger that is bubbling is threatening to spill over any time soon. Talk? where was this 'talk' when he left? or all the time after that? I didn't even get offered a talk then, no. He just up and left.

I take a deep breath and will my voice not to betray me as I say, "I don't think so, leave me alone Hunter."

I walk past him without a glance in his direction, knowing if I look at him I'll cave. I feel his eyes on me the entire time and I want nothing more than to turn around. But I can't I need to be strong. I relied on him once thinking he would help me be strong and all he taught me is that only you can fix you.

I close my front door behind me with a shaky breath and slide down it. I sit on the cold hardwood floor and let the tears that have been burning my eyes since Hunter spoke, finally run free.

I sob into my hands until I feel a soft head nudging at my arm. I smile as I look up and see my black Labrador, Coco nudging me with her head.

Cole got Coco for me over a year ago as a sort of emotional support dog I guess.

I pat her head as she cuddles into me and speak softly to her, "You're my bestfriend now aren't you Coco. Yes. We just need to stay away from Hunter don't we."

She stares at me with her big brown eyes not having a clue what I am saying to her. That's probably a good thing anyway because I think deep down I know my words are empty. I couldn't stay away from Hunter if I tried.