Second Chances

Chapter 11...

Mia....

The first little bit was awkward as hell. I didn't know how to talk to Hunter and he seemed to be in the same position, so instead we both kind of ignored one another and made conversation with Ryan and Hannah; never really talking to each other.

Ryan and Hannah did a good job of keeping the conversation light and talked about mundane topics. Trying to get keep the conversation flowing and make the tension disappear. I was also trying my hardest to get to know more about Ryan but my attention kept getting sidetracked by the guy sitting across from me.

No matter what I did I kept going back to Hunter. As if I was trying to make sure he really was sitting across from me and that I wasn't dreaming of seeing him again.

When the food finally came Hannah and Ryan seemed to realize their efforts on keeping the conversation going were in vain. Instead they scooted a bit further down the table and leaned towards one another talking quietly. I didn't blame them one bit for wanting to get away from the two of us and continue on their own date. Wouldn't surprise me if they decide to move to a different table.

With them now on their own it left Hunter and me together. The awkward silence was starting to really get to me. My need to always make conversation was growing by the minute. A huge part of me just wanted to hear Hunter talk again. A sick part of me wanted to know how his life was like now. He clearly didn't have a girlfriend or he wouldn't be here, or maybe he did and was doing this as a favor to Ryan. That thought alone felt like a punch to the stomach.

There was absolutely no way Hunter didn't have a girlfriend or some girl in his life. Besides the fact that he was even hotter than he was five years ago, he was the best quarterback in the league! That alone was enough to draw girls in.

Finally the need to talk was too great.

"So...how have you been?" I spoke, looking up from my plate. He seemed shocked at my sudden question but quickly recovered.

"I've been good. Can't really complain." Those blue eyes that once were my everything stared into mine.

"It's pretty amazing seeing you with the Patriots." I smiled softly. "It was always your dream team." I remember laying in his dorm as he told me he wanted to go to the New England Patriots the most but wasn't sure they would pick him. Looks like he got his wish.

"Yeah they really took a chance on me." I could feel him holding back but I didn't blame him.

"Looks like it paid off Mr. Highest Paid Quarterback." Hunter rubbed the back of his neck at my words, embarrassed. I had to hold back a smile at the action. Definitely hasn't grown out of that one.

"How about you? How have you been?" He quickly changed the subject. I looked away from his piercing gaze and shrugged.

"I've been good. Just living life." Was my stupid response. My life was dull compared to his that's for sure.

"So let me guess, your some big shot designer now?" Hunter asked, that all too familiar crooked smile appearing on his. "I remember you were making a collection for your designer class." I was surprised that he remembered that.

"Um not exactly." I pushed around the food on my plate.

"What do you mean?"

"I actually run my mom's bridal shop." I admitted. It wasn't necessarily ashamed of it but sitting in front of Hunter I felt like I should be a little. Here he is having made his dream come true and I didn't. Maybe his parents were right about me not going anywhere in life.

"Oh I just thought with the way you talked about designing..." He trailed off. I did use to go on and on about designing clothes and imagining one day having my own line. It was all I talked about and probably annoyed Hunter to no end. But sometimes life turns out different than you expected.

Sitting here across from him, practically a stranger was testament to that. If someone would have asked me what I thought my future looked like five years ago, almost six years, the man sitting across from me would have been front and center.

I was hell bent on the fact that after college the two of us would move in with each other. Him drafted to a football team that was in the same state as my internship for designing. I would go to all of his games and cheer him on. And one day he'd ask me to marry him to which I wouldn't even give a second thought about.

I had it all mapped out in my head. It was foolish of me to believe it could have happened. That we would live happily ever after. But like everything it got ruined. All the comments, all the glares become too much. The hurtful words his mother spat at me when he wasn't around or the little jabs she'd make when talking.

It took me a bit too long to realize the truth of those words and actions. By then I was so madly in love with Hunter but I had no other option then to do what his parents, and everyone else, wanted.

If I hadn't....I wasn't quite sure we would have ended any different than we are now. Almost strangers.