Then

Chapter 5

Hunter POV

"Hey, Hunter. Time to wake up. You need to leave." I felt a hand on my shoulder begin to shake me and I groaned into my pillow.

"Stop..." I whined and Korrie giggled at my defiance.

"I have to get to class! C'mon, Hunt!" She pulled at my arm, putting all her energy into getting me off of her bed.

"Alright, alright." I huffed and she let go of my hand. I sighed at the loss of contact, her touch brought warmth.

I fully opened my eyes and saw her waiting for me at her bedroom door. She looked at the ground with blush on her cheeks. I walked to her and put my hands on her shoulders, getting her full attention and, like always, the deepness of her blue eyes took my breath away.

We had laid on her bed and talked until 2 in the morning when she finally fell asleep. She made it very clear to me to stay out of the covers and in my clothes, two rules I openly obliged to. I slept on top of the duvet, a fleece blanket adorning my lower half. My arms stayed free so one could wrap around her sleeping figure. I've only really known her for less than 24 hours but I felt a connection to her that was unexplainable.

"C'mon. Let's get you out before Emerald or Dacie see you." She whispered and stood on her toes to press a kiss to my cheek. I let go of her and picked my jacket off the floor. She opened her door and peered out, visibly wincing. "Too late."

She grabbed my hand and pulled me through the  threshold and into the open plan of her apartment. I could smell coffee being brewed from the kitchen as well as three people leaning against the counters.

"I thought you only had two room mates." I whispered. They hadnt noticed us yet. Her face was set in horror as she gauged the situation in front of her.

"Mom?" Her voice rang and all three women turned around to face us.

"Hunter Hayes?" The one whom I assumed to be Dacie gasped and I smiled, my eyes finding the floor in embarrassment.

"Korrie Leigh, did he spend the night?" the woman who I assumed to be her mom asked in amused shock.

"Yes, mom. But not in the way you think. I promise." Fear was evident in her eyes and I squeezed the hand I still held in mine.

"Ms. Roberts, nothing happened." I assured her.

"Mom what are you even doing here?" Korrie's shoulders slumed in defeat and tugged my hand to where the three women stood. Emerald and Dacie had their jaws on the floor while Korrie's Mother stood with her arms crossed over her chest. Korrie released my hand and hugged her mom tightly.

"Hi I'm Hunter." I said and held my hand out to the group. All three ladies softly shook it and Korrie shuffled her feet.

"Mom I'm glad you're here but I need to get to class." Korrie interjected and looked at the clock on the microwave. She grabbed my hand once again and lightly pulled me to the door. "Love you!"

She shut the door behind us and let out a huge breath, covering her face. We walked down the hall and out the door until we reached my car parked on the street.

"Do you want a ride to class?" I asked and turned so we were face to face.

"No thats alright. It's just a block down." She nodded in the general direction and I nodded.

"Ok. Well when can I see you again?"

 "Why dont I call you later or something. i don't know when my mom is gonna go home but I need to spend some time with her." She looked disappointed as she spoke and I gave her a reassuring smile.