Falter

Chapter 16 - walkout woes

HUNTER

I can almost feel the fire burning in her stare and her gasp when I walked out on her.

How fucking stupid! Yeah, stupid, it's me. Hunter Thompson.

As I grabbed my keys from the glass holder, I told her to lock the door when she leaves. I quickly went to the elevator doors and pressed "B". I really don't know where to go. Jamie asked me if I can go hang out with them but probably I'll end up just being out of place. My phone vibrates on my hands and it's James.

"Yes, I'm on my way." I groaned on the phone. James has been like a second mother apart from my Mum. She's always there to guide me and Eliza's probably right, she will definitely go batshit crazy when she finds out that we're shagging. Literally three days before flying out to Atlanta to film.

"I forgot some sriracha for my dip. Can you get me one?" James said sweetly on the phone and she knows I couldn't say no to her.

"Fine, fine. Did you forget other things so I can go pick them up while I'm at Target?" I said, with an obvious mock in my voice.

James is known for being forgetful. Since she became my manager, she was pregnant with Zoey, her first born, and she would always say that it's her pregnancy brain acting on it. But eventually, Nate and I realized she's just making an excuse.

Little to no doubt, she made me pick up taco shells, more sauce, and other things American use for their barbecue party. When I stepped out of the store, I looked like I'd just bought everything from Target.

"Can I help you with that?" A tall, muscular man that looks too familiar asks me. He has his shades on so I really cannot recall where I saw him.

"Oh no, no, thank you." I said and walked to my car. The stranger nodded at me and smiled. I couldn't put my finger on it but he's familiar. As I dumped everything on the passenger seat, I received a text from Evee, she's midair and she already forgives me, one from James who just won't shut up about her sriracha, and another one from Nate.

dude, are you with Eliza?

I typed No and started the engine. James' house is just a 15-minute drive from downtown. She's every inch of a homemaker. She made lovely gardens at the back of her home and a small man made lakes with slides. I don't know how she did it but she has a sprawling home and it really grounds me how she is with her kids, her friends and even us her clients that she treats as friends too. James is only 6 years my senior but she definitely knows a lot more in life than me.

When I pull over in front of the house, James' husband Conan with a big stomach and full beard, welcomes me with a bear hug. Three full grown Golden Retrievers Phil, Chiz and Steak wagged their tails at me. I bent down to scratch their chins when Conan finally let go of me.

"Hunter, man, how are you?" he said while his tight hug turned into a slap in the back.

"I'm good. How's family?"

"Always awesome, Hunter. Come on in!" he said while he took the other bags from my hand.

Mexican music booming from the stereo, some colorful banners on each side of the walls, and some makeshift tiki torches in the backyard. When James really plans a party, it's all or nothing. Rows and rows of chairs are placed in their vast backyard. A lot of people are already around, most of them familiar faces I already met. James has a lot of friends, especially managers like her and some clients too. But right now, I don't see any fellow clients she has. Maybe Nate and I.

"Thompson! You're here!" Natasha, Nate's younger sister, almost spilled her wine on my white shirt. "Oops, sorry." she said, giggling.

Natasha is the female version of Nate, literally. She's outgoing, doing what she wants every time. She's like a sister to me just as Nate is a brother. They're already family away from home.