Mine *don't read: being rewritten*

Chapter Fifteen

(Riley's POV)

*A Month Later*

My phone rings from the counter. "Sam," I call, knowing she's in the kitchen, "can you get that?" I hear her answer it from the living room. "Who could that be, Bryce?" I ask him.

The little boy in my lap shrugs. "Well, only two people call you, and they are Hunter and Hannah, so that is either Hunter or Hannah." He laughs, and so do I.

"My money's on Hunter," I state.

"Then, you would be right. Here," Sam says, giving me the phone.

"Hey, Hunter."

"Hello, Riley Ann," he says, his voice soft.

"What's up?" I wonder. He sighs into the phone. "Hunter..." I start.

"Can you, uh, come over? I have to tell you something." His voice lowering with every word.

I start to panic a little, and immediately go over the past few days in my head. He hasn't been acting any different. "Is everything okay?" I ask. He doesn't answer. "What time do you want me to come over?"

"Soon, please," he says.

"Okay, Hunter, I'll see you soon."

"Alright, Riley Ann," he murmurs.

I hang up the phone, and look up at Sam. "Shit," I mutter. Sam raises her eyebrows at me. "He wants to tell me something. Do you think it's something bad? What if he's going to break up with me? What if-"

"Riley, shut up. He loves you, it can't be that bad. Now get your ass over there and see what he has to tell you," she commands. I stand up, sitting Bryce back on the couch.

"Yes, ma'am, and watch your mouth." I laugh. "There's a chance that I won't be back till morning," I tell her. She nods.

I drive to his apartment slowly; I don't know what I'm scared of, but I'm scared of something. I shouldn't be scared of this-scared of Hunter.

I take a deep breath, and knock on his door. It opens almost immediately. "Hi, Riley Ann." He takes my hand and pulls me inside, kissing me as he does.

"Are you okay?" I ask, looking up at him. He kisses me again.

"Are you hungry?" he asks, ignoring my last question. I shrug.

"I'm more interested in what you have to tell me, Hunter," I say. He shakes his head.

"I'll make dinner." He ignores me again, and walks back to the kitchen. I follow him.

"Hunter," I say, "what's wrong?" This isn't my Hunter, he's acting odd.

"Nothing is wrong," he says.

We eat in silence, but he keeps a hand on my knee. "Are you trying to have sex with me?" I laugh, but my question is half serious.

"I am not trying to have sex with you, Riley Ann." He laughs.

I nod, then laugh again. "Okay," I mutter.

Later, when we're in bed, I put my hands on his chest, right over his heart, and rest my chin on my hands. I look up at him, and he looks down at me. "Hunter," I start, "you called me over to tell me something. You've been avoiding it all night. What is it?"

Hunter wraps his arms around me. The pressure of his fingertips on my back sends shivers down my spine. He takes a deep breath. "My mom called, my grandpa is dying-before you give me that look that I gave you when you told me your mom was sick-I hate the guy. Can't stand him. No one in our family can.

"Anyways, he's dying, and he's always been odd. He wants his family there when he dies. So, that means I have to go back to Australia." He finishes, and looks at me.

"So you'll be gone for what, two weeks?" I ask. He sits up, and pulls me closer.

"See, that's the thing. We just know that he's dying, we don't know when. I could be there for a month, at the least."

"Oh," I mutter. He kisses the top of my head.

"But," he starts again, "I wanted you to come with me. Meet my mom, my little sister, and my brothers."

I want to go, I really do. But I can't. "Hunter, I can't. Sam and Bryce, I can't just leave them." Hunter nods, but he looks disappointed. He's not going to give up yet.

"Hannah could watch them, she would. Alex could help. I've been trying to set them up anyways."

"I want to, I really do, but I can't."

He still looks disappointed. "I get it," he says softly. "I'm just going to miss you a lot."

"I'm gonna miss you, too, but I just can't."

"I know, I know." He kisses my forehead, and, squeezes me again.

"When are you leaving?" He purses his lips, and looks away. "Don't tell me you waited to tell me and you're leaving tomorrow." He doesn't say anything. "Fuck you, Hunter."

He laughs, and switches our positions so he's on top of me. His hands are on either side of my head, supporting his weight. "We could do it real quick, right now." He laughs, but I feel like he's half serious.

"You said that you weren't trying to have sex with me."

He shrugs. "Plans change." Hunter leans down and kisses me. His tongue swipes along my bottom lip, but I deny him. "Sorry," he mutters, laying back beside me.

"I'm not ready," I whisper. He nods and brushes some hair from my face.

"I know. I'm sorry." He kisses me again, this time softer. "Sleep," he says quietly.

"No, because in the morning, you're going to Australia. Maybe, if I don't sleep, it'll never come." He takes my hand.

"It's gonna come, Rye, but if you sleep, at least you'll be able to drive me to the airport." He smiles, it's a big smile, and I return it.

"I guess." I rest my head on his chest. "I love you, Hunter."

"I love you, too, Riley Ann. Goodnight."

I close my eyes, but don't find sleep. Hunter doesn't either, I can tell. I want to say something, but I don't. I don't open my eyes, either. I feel Hunter staring at me, though. His lips meet my temple, and it takes everything in me not to smile. Then, he kisses my cheek, and my nose.

"How about this," I start, my eyes still closed. Hunter kisses my forehead, as if he's telling me to go on. "If you're there for a month, and still can't come back, I'll go. I'll go to Australia. I'll go to Australia and meet your mom, your little sister, and your brothers."

I feel his chest vibrate with laughter. "That sounds perfect," he whispers.

"Great," I mutter.

"Now, sleep." I nod, and finally, drift off to sleep.

~

"I gotta go now, babe," Hunter murmurs, his chin resting on my head. I shake my head. "You can still come with me, you can get a ticket, I can get a later flight."

"I can't, you know that." He kisses the top of my head, and my arms tighten around him.

"Rye, I really have to go. I'm going to miss my flight," he says.

"Okay," I mutter.

I pull away from him, my arms linked around his neck. He takes my face in his hands, and kisses me. "I'll see you in a month, Riley Ann. I love you."

"Call me when your plane lands, okay?" I ask. He nods, and gives me a "yes ma'am" look. "Then I'll see you in a month. I love you, too." He kisses me again, squeezes my hand, picks up his suitcase, and I watch him walk away.

~

I wake up to my phone ringing. "Hello?" I answer it groggily.

"Hey, babe," Hunter says. I smile, and roll over so I'm on my back. "Sorry I didn't call you as soon as the plane landed, but my family was waiting. This is the first time I've had alone all day."

"It's okay, but you do realize that it's like eight in the morning here." I laugh a little, and roll over so I'm on my back.

"Oh, I'm sorry," Hunter says.

"Its fine. How's it been?" My voice still sleepy.

"It's been great. We're gonna go see my grandpa tomorrow. Today we just kinda hung out." I can almost hear his smile. He's glad to be home.

Then I hear something in the back. "Aw, is little Hunter-Boo talking to his girlfriend?"

"Can you hear him?" Hunter laughs.

"Yeah," I say. "Is that your brother?"

Hunter laughs. "Yeah, sorry. Jake, go away," Hunter calls after his brother. I hear a door open and close and assume he's alone again. "So, how've you been?"

I shrug, even though he can't see me. "Fine," I say.

"That's all I get?" Hunter asks.

"Yes, that's all you get."

"You should get back to sleep, Rye," he says softly.

"Well, I'm awake now," I mutter.

"You'd get back to sleep," Hunter says, laughing again.

"I know."

"Get back to sleep, babe. I love you," he whispers.

"I love you, too. Goodnight."


"Goodnight," Hunter says, then he hangs up.

I roll back over, so my face is in the pillow, and try to get back to sleep.

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A/N

I don't know did that surprise you aha
I hope you liked it please vote, comment, and follow!!(: I love you (:

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