20 Questions

Chapter 78

Hunter

I've never seen Jenna that angry before. I fucked up big time and I know that for a fact. I look over at Rich taking Jenna back inside. I swore to him that I would never hurt his daughter and I did just that...and right in front of him to make matters worse. I don't know if either one of them will ever forgive him, but I need to try. I can't lose her. I can't lose any of them. They are my family now...at least I hope they still will be. I need to make this right.

The guys all crowd around me, but I need to be alone with my thoughts. I need to figure out how to right this wrong. I tell the guys to go back inside and I will be there in a minute. They respect my wishes, but I know they aren't happy about it. I put my head in my hands and try to think of solutions to fix this colossal fuck up. I was caught off guard when I saw Kimberly.

No, that's not even close to accurate.

I was paralyzed with fear when I saw that conniving waste of human life. That girl made me miserable for so long. She was one ugly taunt away from ruining me as a person. I was young when we were together and still trying to figure out how to be a man. I didn't exactly have a good male role model to guide me through things.

The door opens and I look up, hoping to see Jenna, praying she will forgive me. My stomach flips when I see Rich walking over to me. I don't know what I am going to say to him. He probably wants to rip my head off and shit down my neck for hurting his daughter. He takes a seat next to me as I feel the bile rising in my throat. I can't formulate a sentence so I am thankful when he chooses to speak first.

"Well, this day didn't turn out quite the way we imagined, did it?"

With those words, tears pour down my cheeks. I never cry, but something about this family opens the floodgates that were completely barricaded for years. I am ashamed and petrified of losing the one great thing in my life.

"Rich, I am so, so sorry. I never meant to hurt Jenna. I know you must hate me and I promise I will do anything to make this right."

I fully expected him to lecture me or tell me that I don't deserve his daughter. What I didn't expect is for him to put his arm around my shoulders and tell me that it will all be okay.

"Rich, I don't know what happened. One minute, I am standing there with the love of my life, marveling at this incredible view and the next I am bombarded by the devil that I once called my girlfriend. It was such a toxic relationship. She made me feel horrible about myself, like I was never good enough. She knocked me down so many times that I didn't know if I would ever be able to get back up again. I was so caught off guard when I saw her and all those feelings of defeat and insecurity clouded my better judgment. What kills me the most is that I hurt Jenna in the process. I don't know what I will do if she doesn't forgive me. I can't lose her." The tears are falling faster and I can't imagine what this man next to me is thinking about his future son-in-law.

"Hunter, you listen to me. Every relationship has bumps along the way. You won't lose Jenna; she loves you unconditionally. She's just upset. It's ok, let her be upset. The worst thing you can do is discount her feelings and make her think they aren't valid or warranted. Believe me, I've made that mistake a few times with Piper and if never ended well for me. Like my dad always told me, it is better to be happy than right. You guys will talk it out and everything will be fine. We all make mistakes. Piper keeps a diary of all mine and usually chooses to bring them up all at once, two years down the road. She must be on her hundredth diary by now. You just tell her what you told me and I'm certain that she will forgive you. She is very understanding like that and she loves you like crazy."

"I certainly hope so," I squeak out.

"Speaking of crazy, can we talk about my insane daughter whooping your ex-girlfriend's ass? I don't know if I should be more proud or afraid of her?"