Happily ever hookup. (Book #2)

18 "Just go back to New York, Hunter"

Hunters P.O.V

When I wake up, the light shining between the curtains hurts my head and I pull the duvet up to cover my eyes. I try to remember how I even got back here but nothing comes to me.

The last thing I remember was attacking my dad for being the asshole that he is, I managed to get at least one good punch on him before Declyn split us up, thinking back now, I probably should have waited until we were alone. Amelia and Ava were in the next room but thankfully they didn't see anything.

I turn over in the bed and feel around for Emily but I come up empty. I peek an eye out from under my shelter and glance at the clock. It's almost eight in the morning. I spot a glass of water and some pills laid out on the bedside table so with a grunt I sit up.

I take the tablets in one, swallowing them down with the water that's warm. God knows how long it's been there. I need to find Em and find out what the fuck happened.

I stand up, just missing a bucket filled with vomit beside the bed, I haven't been that drunk, to the point of vomiting since I was eighteen.

I really shouldn't have gone to New York in the first place. I was just so angry with my dad, I walked out of the hospice and let my feet carry me where they wanted. I ended up at the bus station, I have no idea where I was planning on going but when the first bus pulled up with the sign 'Airport' lighting up the front, I thought it was a good opportunity to see dear old dad.

What a fucking mistake that was.

Nothing was resolved, we just threw a few punches at each other and I got paralytic drunk, no good could possibly come from this.

I find Emily sleeping peacefully on the sofa, she's still wearing clothes and I find myself wondering how long I was gone? Did I even tell her where I was or why?

Did I tell her about the baby? I fucking hope not. The last thing Tara and my mother need is to find out there's another little bundle of joy on the way, not right now at least.

Emily stirs in her sleep, she always does that. It's like she can feel me watching her and wakes up seconds later. "Morning," I say to her hoping she's not mad. I know we never really resolved our argument from the other day, so I'm hoping we can call it quits.

"Hi," She says standing up and stretching herself out. "You slept all day yesterday and all night, how are you feeling?"

I'm surprised she's being this calm, but then again, this is Emily. She doesn't have a bad bone in her body.

"I'm okay," I tell her. I feel better than I probably deserve to, I must have drank a lot to end up how I did.

She nods as she walks toward the kitchen. She's wearing a small flannel crop top and shorts, it's baby pink in colour, and she looks beautiful. "I'm sorry if I worried you," I add I'm unaware if I spoke to her or not, my head is fucking killing, I just want to take the last few days back.

"Devon told me you were safe."

I nod as a memory comes back to me. I text him, I didn't tell him where I was but that I was okay and sorting some stuff out.

I actually didn't sort anything out. I just made it worse.

"Do you know where I was?" I question her and again she nods. She gets two mugs out of the cupboard and places them on the counter with a thud.

"Yep. Jess told me"

I gulp. Jess? Huh?

It's too early for this shit.

"Yeah, I really appreciated the fact that you would rather not come to me yet you spoke to her and Devon."

Just like that, her calm demeanour has changed into something barely recognisable. Emily isn't the fighting type, she definitely holds her own in an argument but if she can avoid it, she will.

"It wasn't like that Em" I sigh hoping to tell her my side of the story. I know that if she could just understand where my head was at, we'll be okay.

A mug shatters against the wall, and it takes me a while to realise Emily was the one to throw it.

She's really fucked off. Her breathing is laboured as she glares at me, her chest moving rapidly. "Then, please Hunter, tell me, what was it like?" her voice is loud and scary and it hurts my head. "I'm here for you through everything, we've always been that way. Do you realise how much it hurts to know you would rather speak to her than me?"

"She's just a friend, she doesn't mean anything," I tell her honestly, sure Jess is nice but shes definitely no Emily. The two don't even compare.

I watch as she wipes a single tear from her cheek, I can't blame her for hating me right now, but it doesn't mean it hurts any less though.

"Why did you go to New York?" She asks suddenly changing the subject. The coffee has been abandoned by this point.

"I needed to talk to my dad about a few things"

"Like what?"

"It doesn't matter." I shake my head once. She raises her eyebrows and places a hand on her hip, expecting me to elaborate. "It doesn't matter Em. It doesn't concern you!"

I don't realise how bad it sounds until I've already said it and I regret my words as soon as they leave my lips.

Smoke is practically coming from her ears, she's seething. "I didn't mean it like that" I try to redeem myself but she's having none of it.

"Who are you?" She asks barely above a whisper. "I don't even know you right now."

"Emily" I start to say but she cuts me off.

"Don't bother Hunter, I get your stressed out. I do. Your mom and dad are fighting, and your little sister is pregnant, my mom randomly showing up here didn't help the situation but just take a second to think about everything I've been through" She says and I do.

She fell in love with me and lost her best friend because of it, her dad got sick, her mom abandoned her when she needed her the most, she was in a coma for three months of her life and lost our baby and to top it all off, she had to watch me get shot and almost die.

"I never once considered anybody else by my side as I went through that. I wanted you, needed you there with me, it hurts to know it's not the same for you."

"There's still some things you don't know, Emily," I say.

"Like what?"

Like the fact, my dad, my hero, the man I've looked up to my whole life got somebody else pregnant. He crushed my mom more than I could ever imagine, I never thought I would hate my dad, but I do.

Just the thought of him makes me sick.

"I can't tell you, at least not yet."

My words aren't good enough for her, I can tell by the disappointment written clear as day on her features.

She sighs heavily, she looks tired, exhausted even and I despise the fact I'm the one that did this to her.

"Just go back to New York Hunter," She tells me and begins to walk away.

I grab her wrist firmly. "Em-"

"Don't bother" she snaps pulling her arm free. "If you can't be honest with me, then just go."

She walks away, leaving me standing there deflated and defeated.

I'm so fucking stupid.

I'll give her the space she wants, as her duties as best friend to Tara, I know she'll tell her about my dads unexpected surprise the minute I tell her, and then my mom will find out.  I can't let that happen yet.

I know I'm hurting Emily, but in the long run, I'm doing what's best for everyone, and I'm protecting my mom.