The Hunter's Angel

Little Talks

A few hours had passed, the two of us still laying in each other's arms. 

We had shifted positions —my back now pressed against Hunter's front as he cradled me against him, his arm wrapped around my waist. But we hadn't let go of each other from the moment Hunter had climbed in beside me. 

I didn't think either one of us could find it in ourselves to let go. Not anymore. 

Somewhere in the midst of serenity and quiet as I leaned against him, I was hit with the sharp realization that I had completely forgotten about the fact that I was supposed to meet up with Kat and Liam the night I got taken. 

Shit. They must have been freaking out. 

I jolted up in bed, startling Hunter as he shot up beside me. 

"What is it, love?" 

"Kat and Liam," I exclaimed. "I totally forgot, I was supposed—" 

Hunter placed a hand on my shoulder, cutting off my crazed rant. "To meet up with them—I know. It's been taken care of." 

"Wha—" I shook my head, bewilderment crossing my face. "What are you talking about? How did you know?" 

"It was a few hours after you passed out," Hunter started. "I got a call from Liam, and he and Kat were on the line, panicked because they couldn't get a hold of you. They said they knew you had dinner plans with me but you were supposed to be at their place hours ago." 

Fuck. They must have been worried sick. 

"I reassured them that everything was okay," Hunter explained softly, "and made up some excuse about food poisoning from dinner." 

"So they know I'm okay? They're not upset or worried or anything?" 

Hunter shook his head. "Not at all, love. I've been keeping in touch with Liam, and told him that you'd give them a call as soon as you were feeling better." 

I let out the breath I had been holding inside of me. "Oh, good. Thank you—you're a lifesaver." 

Hunter sent me a soft smile, running a soothing hand down my arm. "Though, I should warn you that I don't think this excuse is going to stick all that well. Liam's already beginning to sound a little suspicious on the phone." 

"Shit. Really?" 

Hunter nodded. "I've been thinking about it," he said carefully, "and I feel like it might be time to tell them the truth." 

I paused. "About everything?" 

"Only if you're comfortable with it," Hunter spoke. "I just thought with Rico gone and things settling down, it wouldn't be such a bad thing to finally take the pressure of hiding the truth off your back. After all, it's not like we could just lie to them perpetually." 

I let out a slow breath, running my hand through my hair as I mulled the idea over in my head. 

The idea of telling Kat and Liam everything I had spent the past year hiding and lying about seemed, well, terrifying, to say the least. I didn't even know how they would react, what they would say. 

But...

I couldn't ignore the fact that the truth would have to come out eventually, whether or not it was easy. Hell, Kat and Liam were my best friends—they knew everything. There was no way I could keep this from them forever. 

And, the idea of getting everything off of my chest didn't sound all that bad, the more I thought about it. It would be a relief to not have to avoid their questions about Hunter, to not have to constantly hide things I wanted to share.