The Secrets That Free Us

Chapter 28

I flick my wrist to get the red brush strokes just right. Hunter and my project is due in next week and I've only just found my motivation to begin.

We decided the last place we would use for our project was the river through the forest. The place where Hunter found me in the middle of the night and the same place he took me to tell me why he really left.

I guess that place holds a lot of memories for us, Hunter wants to take me back there this afternoon but I decided to start painting now. I don't have the photo to copy but I could draw that place from memory alone.

I had an old TI song blaring through my headphones while I covered my painting with an old dust sheet so I didn't hear Hunter as he walked through my garage. Which is why when he placed both of his hands on my waist, pulled out a headphone and placed a soft kiss on my cheek, like it was the most natural thing in the world to him by the way, I froze in panic.

He backed off seeing me expression, "Hey, it's just me I didn't mean to spook you."

His dejected face made my heart ache slightly but no one told me we were on a cheek kissing basis now.

"It's okay, I just didn't hear you come in."

"You ready to go?" He asked changing the subject.

I looked down to my grey Tshirt and blue ripped jeans that were both covered in paint. My hair was piled on top of my head as usual.

"You're joking right? I can't go anywhere looking like this." Since when do I care about my appearance? Maybe around the same time I started showering regularly again and not just to cry? Or maybe since I started brushing my hair on a daily basis? How had I not noticed any of this?

Hunter rolled his eyes and let out a scoff, "Gracie I always think you look beautiful. But I've also seen you when you wake up and smelled your morning breath, do you honestly think I give a shit if your clothes have some paint on them?" He laughed to himself as he left the garage and headed towards his car.

Ass.

When we arrived at the clearing Hunter was unusually quiet. Even on the drive over here he didn't shout at me when I unplugged his phone from the aux and connected mine instead. Don't get me wrong, he usually lets me listen to my music, but when I went old school Justin Bieber on him to see his reaction he couldn't have cared less.

We sat side by side on the bank in front of the river again and I mindlessly picked at a spot of paint on my jeans near my knee.

When Hunter placed a warm hand over mine I looked up at him, his eyes were studying me and his face was only inches from my own.

"What are we doing Grace?" He whispered, his breath fanning my face.

"What do you mean?" I asked, although my voice was hoarse.

He brought his face closer again and placed a large hand on my cheek. His touch was warm and comforting and I leaned into it.

"I want to be with you Grace."

..

..

I blinked.

Did Hunter Adams just say what I think he said?

Words were failing me so all that actually managed to escape was a sound that more than likely resembled a cat being strangled.

When he realised I was lost for words he jumped in to help me.

"Why are we still beating around the bush? I like you and not to sound big headed but you like me too. Shit, I mean, I hope you do? I always thought you did? I can't have imagined it. I mean you slept with me before I left so you have to right? I know two years is a long time but, fuck, help me out Gracie."

Ah boy, his speech had started out so confident at the beginning and then went to utter shit in a matter of seconds.

He looked at me with wide, worried blue eyes. I decided to help the poor guy out.

"I don't know what this is Hunter.
You confuse me but I'm never as carefree as when I'm with you."

I take a breath and continue, "I wake up a little lighter than I used to, I sleep better although that could be the meds kicking in. I'm happy when I'm with you. I still have my problems but I'm healing now." Hunter smiles as I continue, "But I never know where I stand with you though, girls throw themselves at you all the time how am I supposed to compete with that?"

He furrows his brows at me with a look of disbelief, "When has there ever been any competition?"

"Grace I don't hide my feelings very well, I think it's perfectly obvious to everyone one, except you apparently, that you are the only girl who has ever had my attention."

He rubs the back of his neck and continues his rant, "I mean for fuck sake I'm nineteen years old and I've only ever had sex once. With you. Not that I'm saying this is about sex because it isn't, not that I Don't want to have sex with you again because fucking hell that would be fantastic but-"

I press my lips to his.

He wasn't going to shut the fuck up any other way.

In what might be the boldest move I've ever made, I placed my lips against his soft ones and kissed him.

I tried not to feel too dejected when he didn't kiss me back.

I pulled back to see his face one of pure shock. He stared at me like I'd grew two heads. I lowered my eyes back to the spot of paint on my jeans, wasn't he just saying he likes me?

I feel Hunter's fingers gently brush underneath my chin, he pulls my face up to meet his flawless one. His eyes run all over my face. Before I know what's happening his arm is wrapped around my waist pulling me towards him with urgency as he crashes his lips to mine.

Our mouths move in sync as he pulls me as close as we can possibly get. Our kiss is full of passion and unspoken words. My body is alive in a way it hasn't been in a long time and my mind is spinning when we pull away for breath.

Hunter rests his head against mine, a goofy smile taking over his face. "I've missed you." He tells me breathlessly.

"I missed you too."

He takes this opportunity to pull his phone out of his pocket and take a snap of us.

"For the project, and to never forget how fucking lucky I felt in this moment." He tells me.

"I want this Grace. I want us. We can take it as slow as you want but I'm all in." He tells me as he pulls away slightly and stares at me hopefully.

"What are you saying?" My heart is about to beat out of my chest.

"Not to sound like a twelve year old virgin, but I want to do it properly this time. Will you be my girlfriend Gracie?"

A/N

Finally!!!

Where can I buy a Hunter please?😍😍

Just wanted to say a HUGE thank you to everyone who takes the time to read, comment & vote you are all amazing!

And thank you for barring with with me for updates as well because I am HORRIBLE at getting them out in a regular schedule!

#1 in #anxietydisorder 25/05/21 how amazing is that!