Then

Chapter 6

Hunter's POV

During interviews and parties, a common question comes about. What makes you happy? Music, I'd say without hesitation. Music, family, and friends. Those aren't lies. But I was unknowingly leaving out a very important factor I had never even know about.

If asked the question again I would still answer with music, family, and friends. But I would add on that waking up with the most beautiful girl by my side, a girl who I'm beginning to care so deeply for, makes me just as happy as all those combined. I'm not sure if I would go as far as to say that if I didn't have music and I had her, I'd be fine. No. If I didn't have music and if she did, us meeting would never had happened.

Without me having music, I'd be sitting in some school in Louisiana trying to get my pilots license. She'd still be in Nashville, working at CMT. She'd probably meet some guy like.... Scotty McCreery. My arms tightened around her sleeping waist at the thought of it. No one else can have her. My heart is too invested to watch her fall for someone else.

The night before, shortly after she had fallen asleep, I felt myself drifting off too. Carefully, I had repositioned us so she rested on my chest and a blanket encased us both. Once settled, I let sleep take me though reality seemed much more appealing than my dreams.

I smiled to myself as her eyes fluttered open. She seemed confused at first, not sure of where she was. Then blush colored her cheeks as she realized her hands were gripping the fabric adorning my chest.

"Goodmorning." I mumbled and her smile grew.

"Goodmorning." She agreed quietly and I was grateful she whispered, letting us live in this perfect silence. After a while I spoke.

"What have you got going today?"

"Studying. I have a test in music appreciation tomorrow." She grumbled and sat up. I cursed myself for even speaking, it only put space between us.

"Do you have to leave?" I asked and she smiled.

"Not necessarily...I have my books and everything in my car. I would have to get to my apartment before dinner though. It's a Sunday tradition with my friends."

"So stay until then." I shrugged.

"I don't want to impose."

"I invited you!"

"I'll just sit here and study, it won't be fun for you." She warned and I raised my eyebrows and nodded my head to the instruments scattered around the room.

"I think I can find something to do."

***

Finding something to do actually consisted of me talking to my mom on the phone for two hours. I could see Korrie grinning through her text work at some of the things I was saying to my mom. I got tired of holding the phone and put it on speaker.

"...then there was that one time you shaved a Christmas tree onto the neighbor's dog when we went caroling, remember? We didn't get through a single song without people cracking up! And then- Whose there?"

Korrie's eyes went wide and her hand covered her mouth, too late to cover the laugh that had escaped. My cheeks went bright red and I cleared my throat.

"My friend Korrie is over. I was helping her study when you called."

"Helping.." Korrie scoffed and I threw a pillow at her.

"Her? Oh Hunter! Are you two dating? Is she your girlfriend?" My mom cooed and I picked up the phone, intending to take it off speaker phone but some how play it cool in front of Korrie.