The Hunter's Angel

What If?

"You look oddly chipper for someone that just took a two-hour statistics exam," Kat remarked, sending me a strange look as we walked out of class. 

My gaze shot to hers, and I quickly wiped the small smile that was pulling at my lips. I hadn't even noticed it was there. 

Throughout the entire exam - which I most definitely failed - I couldn't get Hunter off of my mind. I couldn't stop thinking about what he had said, the way he looked at me, his teasing yet wholehearted promises. His words had consumed me. 

I mean, how could they not? 

He had unwaveringly confessed that he loved me so much that it killed him—that I owned him—that he was willing to do anything to build back my trust. He looked me right in the eyes and promised he would wait forever if he needed to. That he was always mine. 

And while it was certainly a mindfuck to process, I couldn't help the small rush inside of me each time I thought about it. Each time I considered the possibility of us. 

It was enough to make me smile like an idiot. 

But I wasn't sure if it was enough for me to move past everything. For me to forgive. 

I had asked Hunter for time, but I wasn't sure what it meant. I wasn't sure how long I would need, or what needed to happen in order for me to be willing to open up to him again. To be his again. 

Because, as much as my emotions for Hunter were inescapable, and as much as my love for him engulfed me, I couldn't deny the fear that sank deep inside of me. 

I couldn't silence the little bastard of a voice inside of my head that told me I would only get hurt again. The one that whispered - how could I trust him?  

It seemed I wasn't sure of anything at all. 

Turning back to Kat, I shrugged my shoulders indifferently. "It's probably just all the caffeine," I quipped, hoping she wouldn't read into it. 

Kat halted, quirking a brow as a hoard of students nearly crashed into her from behind. Not that she noticed, her attention fully centered on me—even as a couple of guys cursed at her for stopping in the middle of the packed quad. 

"Layla, don't try to bullshit me, babe. I know you better than you know yourself." 

So much for hoping. 

"This," she exclaimed, waving at my face, "is not your caffeinated look. Something else has you lost in your head, and I'll kill you if you don't spill." 

I sighed, silently cursing the fact that she knew me so well. 

I didn't want to get into everything with Hunter, because it would only bring up more questions that I couldn't answer. Questions that I had barely managed to avoid when I told them he ended things. 

Though, as I met Kat's unwavering gaze, I wondered if maybe she could help me sort through this whole mess. It didn't seem like a bad idea to get some advice from someone who had experienced their own share of relationship drama. From someone who knew me and my past so well. 

Maybe she could give me some perspective. Clear up the chaos of emotions inside of my head. 

Plus, I was slowly growing anxious from standing in the middle of a swarm of students, and I knew Kat wouldn't budge until I fessed up. 

"Fine," I spoke. "I'll explain everything—over coffee with Liam." 

I couldn't actually explain everything, but I could give them the washed-out version of events. And it wouldn't hurt for Liam to be there. If I was going to get advice, his insight and level-headedness would be a big help.