The Path to Love

Chapter 8

I drove to the address N instructed and got out. It was a warehouse by the looks of it. It looked run down, there were pieces of the front missing, the roof wasn't all completely done and some of the windows were broken. What kind of run-down shit is this Derek guy running?

I walked in, not giving a shit what awaited me. I was a good fighter and I knew how to take care of myself. Nobody tried to stop me as I was walking around looking for this Derek guy. Finally, I walked into a room that looked like the main room of the house. Sitting on the couch, I was assuming was Derek.

"I'm assuming you're here on behalf of Riverside," he slurred.

Clearly, he was drunk and didn't have the money. "I am," I replied.

"I don't have the three-grand," he continued talking.

"Well, I highly suggest you get the money. I'm the warning. You don't want to deal with the next guy that is going to come." I walked over and punched him in the stomach.

He gasped in pain and took in deep breaths of air. "When's the deadline?"

"Tomorrow." I punched him a few more times in the stomach for good measure. "Don't be late. If you don't have the money, someone will be here tomorrow."

"You guys are the laid-back gang, he isn't going to do anything to me." He slurred.

"I wouldn't be too sure about that. Things around here are changing. Money, tomorrow. Or else." I punched him in the jaw, knocking him out.

My fucking knuckles had broken open again and were bleeding. At this rate, they would never heal at all. I walked out of buddy's warehouse and went into my car. When I got in, I had a total of five texts waiting for me.

N: Is the job done?

Sammy❤: I need you to pick up lettuce and shredded cheese. I have meat, tomato, taco shells and sour cream here. See you soon!

Xav: Novak got his nose broken and he's on the war path after you

Mom: Have you burned down my house yet?

B: Job will be done within the week.

I went through the long process of responding to everyone before I pulled out of the driveway.

Hunt: Job is done. He seems to think we are slacking and won't come after him. I told him he has until noon tomorrow. Make sure you send someone over to get the money. I knocked him out cold to make my point.

Hunt: Otw to the store now

Hunt: Let him come after me again. I'll only fuck up his poor nose some more

Hunt: Yes, I'm staying with Sam

Hunt: Keep me informed

I pulled out of the driveway and went to the local grocery store to pick up the things Sam needed.

I could never pick out good tomatoes. I know that's weird, but Sam always bitches me out because I never pick out ones that are good. The ones I pick out are not ripe enough, are too soft, are bad, yada, yada.

So, this time, a produce person will pick one out for me. "Excuse me." I asked the girl that was putting out apples.

"Yes?" She turned around to look at me and there was Brittany. Fuck.

"Um, I need a good tomato. I apparently can't pick them out for shit. Can you pick me out one?"

"Sure, right this way." I liked formal Brittany. At least she wasn't asking me about our sex life. She started looking through the tomatoes and picked out one that was to her satisfaction. "This one should be perfect."

"Thanks, Brittany." I replied, taking the tomato.

"Maybe we could hang out later?" She asked, as she started to caress my arm.

I moved my arm away from her grasp. I'm not sleeping with her again. She's too desperate and expects attachments. "I have plans later."

"What, with Sam?" She pouted.

"Maybe, maybe not." I replied, turning around to leave.

"Why do you even bother with her? It's not like she's going to sleep with you." Brittany said, smirking.

"I don't need her to sleep with me. She's my best friend. That's all she ever was and all she'll ever be."

"Yeah, well, I'm here if you ever need to scratch that itch." She replied.

"I'll keep that in mind. I'm leaving now." I replied, walking away not even waiting for a response. Fuck. Some girls are the definition of desperate.

I left the store and drove to my house. I pulled into my driveway and walked across the lawn to Sam's house. I looked in her window and she was sitting on the ledge, reading a book. A big grin broke out across my face watching her read. It's so typical of her, I can't help but love it.

Definitely whipped.

I walked into her house and the aroma of tacos filled my nose. "Smells good!" I called out.

"I know, I'm a great cook." And yet, she tells me I'm the cocky one.

"Yup, compliment yourself because that's the only type of compliments you're gonna get." I replied, smirking.

"Haha, funny. If I wanted a compliment, you would easily give it to me."

"Whatever you say, Sammy."

"Jennifer asked about you again," she replied, walking out to the kitchen.

I smirked. "Oh yeah? What was it this time? How good am I in bed? How do I look without a shirt on? Am I single?"

"You're so arrogant. No, she didn't ask anything about that. She asked if you and I were dating."

"Really? What did you say?"

"I said no, obviously. We're not dating."

"I got it in my mind to start telling people we're dating. Just to see what they're reaction would be. We've been friends forever and people still assume we're dating. No matter what we say, people are going to assume we're dating. Might as well as play into the rumour."

She leaned over to hit me playfully in the stomach. "We're not going to be telling people we're dating. I don't care what people think. I'm not going to play into the rumour pool. Apparently, I'm already talked about anyways. You know, how much of a prude I am and all."

"Nobody would say that if they knew the real reason you didn't want to have sex."

"Nobody is going to know, Hunter. I don't want anyone to know. I'm perfectly fine with everyone thinking I'm a prude."

"I don't think you're a prude," I replied, defending myself.

"No, you just think I should be able to sleep around if I wanted to."

"That's not a bad thing. You're hot, you're smart and you're the sweetest person I've ever met. Anyone would be lucky to sleep with you."

"I told you I could get a compliment from you." She smiled at me.

"Funny. I was being serious though."

"Grab the plates, supper is ready." She replied, changing the subject.

I reached up into the cupboard for the plates. When I handed two plates over to her, she placed the tacos on the them and put the ingredients on the island. We sat next to each other and started to make our own tacos to eat.

We are basically an old married couple. We literally act like a couple, we just haven't put the title.

I'm not ruining what we have. No matter what.

I love her too much to risk jeopardizing this friendship again.

I don't deserve her, I really don't.

If only she knew everything.