Chapter 20
"Last chance, I don't have to go," I smiled up at Hunter as he finally got my suitcase to zip. He turned to me and took my face in his hands, placing his lips against mine softly.
"Don't make this anymore difficult, you know I don't want you to leave but you have to."
I sighed, pushing his hands away and looking to the ground. "Look, I know you think you're keeping me safe by making me go live with your cousin for a while, but it's just hurting us both."
I had left him speechless as he dropped down on my bed, and placed his face in his hands. "I need time to get rid of my father first," was all he said before Casey pushed through the door.
My best friend pulled me into a tight hug, and I knew that meant Damon was here. I felt her sob and rubbed her back to calm her down.
"It's going to be alright Casey, I promise I'll call you when I get there."
"Call me everyday!" she ordered, pulling away to wipe the tears that dripped from my eyes.
Hunter and I followed Casey downstairs to see a tall, muscular guy that looked nothing like Hunter or Tyler. His accessories were the same though. The leather jacket, black pants matching boots, and sunglasses that he pulled off to look at me.
"I'm Damon," he greeted, shaking my hand with a smile that said your safe with me.
"Zoe," I replied, pulling away while matching his smile.
"We love you," Mark started, pulling me in a hug. "Don't forget that."
I turned to Ryan, my badass brother, and watched as he let out a sigh before pulling me into a death grip. I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed his cheek, pulling away to give everyone else hugs.
When I was ready to say my last goodbye to Hunter, I couldn't find him and thought he was too upset to say goodbye, so I followed Damon outside as he helped me with my bags.
"Zoe!" I heard right when I was about to open the car door. Hunter was rushing towards me with the number one thing that I loved in his hands.
"Oh my god thank you I can't believe I forgot him," I laughed shakily, taking my teddy out of his hands.
A moment of silence and awkward stillness hung around us before suddenly, my boyfriend tugged me into his arms, and kissed my cheek. "Please be careful," he sighed into my hair.
"Wow, a please. I'll be careful if you be careful."
"Deal," he smiled, pulling me in for a tender kiss.
"I love you," I whispered, feeling a tear accidentally slip away from my eye.
"I know." He pulled away with a smile but it slowly faded as he went to wipe away the tear. "I don't do-"
"Crying chicks, I know," I cut him off with a sad smile, and he kissed me again.
"I love you too," he finally said. "Call me when you guys get there," he ordered, directing it to both of us before he walked over to Damon who was leaning against the car. "And I trust you to keep her safe."
"You can count on me cousin," Damon smirked, reminding me of Hunter. There's another thing they have in common.
Once Damon opened the door and gestured for me to hop in with his hand, I gave Hunter one last hug before climbing in with my teddy in my hands, and that's when I noticed there was something taped on the back, so I turned him around to find a folded sticky note taped to him.
