What You Don't Know (Sequel to "Secret Love")(Hunter Hayes/James Marsden)

Anymore

It was only a moment before they had thrown themselves into Hunter's arms. He returned the embrace, sure now that this must be one of the fans he had been expecting. He made a mental note to talk to Ted and Donald about their lack of vigilance, but greeted the fan cheerily anyhow.

"Hey, it's nice to meet you."

At the sound of his voice, the stranger pulled him in tighter, and he was beginning to feel slightly claustrophobic. He started to apply pressure to push the person off, but then heard them whisper in his ear.

"Why is Darryl here?"

Memories poured through his body at the sound of her voice. Her angelic, perfect voice. His arms restricted around her and he let out a breath, a sigh of relief that he had been holding since she had left him.

"Beth. Oh, my God, Beth."

"Why is Darryl here?" she repeated, glancing his way and hoping he had not heard Hunter say her name.

Hunter felt Bethany pulling out of his arms, so he let her go. He, too, looked at Darryl, who was staring between the two dumbfounded.

"Darryl, this is a fan of mine. She's here for the tour of the backstage. Do you think you and I can continue this conversation some other time?"

Darryl looked between them again, but then shrugged and stuck out his hand to Hunter.

"Sure, man. Are we cool?"

Hunter took the larger man's hand and shook it as hard as he could.

"We're cool. Thanks for stopping by."

Darryl took his leave, and the moment the door clicked closed behind him, Hunter reached up to tear the black cloth off of Bethany's face.

Her cheeks were red from the heat of her clothes, and her eyes were wide with something akin to fear, but she was his Bethany. She was real; she was here.

"Hunter, I...I'm sorry to bust in on you like this, but I need to talk to you."

He took the material gathered on each of her hips in his hands and pulled her closer.

"Okay, but first..."

"Hunter wait, I think we need to talk fir - "

"Shh," he replied, breaking off her protest. "This is more important than that."

The kiss was just as good as the first, all that time ago. Time passed slowly, but they did not notice it. When the moment finally ended and the new one arrived, Hunter forced himself to step away and sit down facing her. She had come here for a purpose. It was obvious from what she was wearing and her demeanor that she did not intend to stay. Better that she say her piece and leave quickly than stick around to wreak havoc on his heart again.

Bethany sat opposite Hunter, taking Darryl's vacated spot. She pressed her hand to her mouth. She had forgotten how much she loved Hunter's kisses. She had forgotten the exact shade of his eyes, and the feel of his body beneath her hands. God, had she missed it.

"Hunter, I don't know what to do anymore. I'm...I don't know what to do."

Hunter squinted. "What's going on Beth?"

Tears began to stream down her face.

"It's Trent," she started, feeling a knot tightening in her throat. "I...he...They said he was a bad man, and he did these horrible things to me, and I know that, but he's not like that. I don't know what I believe anymore. I want him to be evil, Hunt. I want him to be the worst man alive, so I can come home to you. But he's not. He's good and sweet and he loves me. And I..."