Then

Chapter 7

 

Hunter’s POV

"Merry Christmas!” I cheered as I opened my apartment door to let in Korrie and her two roommates. Matt, Sam, and Devo were all there as well.

“Merry Christmas!” She agreed and leaned in to peck me on the lips.

“Come on in and meet the guys!” I helped her with her coat and took the tray of Starbucks she had brought for everyone.

We had decided, since we were both going our separate ways for the holidays- her to Seattle, me to Breaux Bridge- to have our own little Christmas with some friends. We all filed into my living room and the guys stood up to greet them.

I reached for her hand and we sat down in the love seat. Her palm was soft, a contrast to my calloused fingers.

“So you’re all from Seattle?” Matt asked them and Korrie nodded.

“Yeah. We’re heading back tomorrow for break.”

“Freshmen?” Sam wondered.

“They are. I’m not in school.” Emerald said. She plays soccer for the women’s Nashville team, something that has proven useful to me in when to time an uninterrupted visit to Korrie.

I observed the three girls as they interacted with my band mates. Korrie sat up straight, her knees together and ankles crossed. She wore one of her favorite skirts to dance in, the baby powder blue one that reaches midcalf, and had matched it with a deep red sweater. She had on minimal makeup and had put her hair into soft waves down her back.

Dacie sat with her legs crossed over the other. Her bleach blonde hair was up in a ponytail and she wore skinny jeans with a plaid flannel covering a band t-shirt, her feet stuffed into combat boots. From what I can tell about her, she appreciated silence and privacy but also had a humor streak.

Now Emerald sat with her legs slightly spread and a devious smirk on her lips. She had black leggings on that she topped with a Christiano Ronaldo jersey. She was loud and just thinking about what went on in her mind made me nervous for those around her. But from what Korrie has told me, Emerald hides her feelings with her laughter.

My eyes went back to Korrie just to find her watching me as well. Blush colored her cheeks when I caught her looking and she diverted her eyes before giving in and turning back to me. I slightly jerked my head towards the kitchen. She excused herself from the conversation and followed me in.

“Hey you.” I said as I pulled her to my chest.

“Hi.” she mumbled, her voice muffled by my shirt. She pulled away and went to turn on the oven.

When she was over the day before we had prepared an apple pie for everyone as well as many other treats. She was glowing as she showed me all of her holiday traditions. We decided everyone was not too old to decorate cut out cookies so made a couple dozen of those as well.

“So the guys and I were thinking of us all going to find a tree to decorate today.” I told her and leaned against the sink.

“Oooh fun!”

“Yeah. My parents and grandparents are actually coming here now so I guess I need a tree.” I sighed as I thought of all the last minute things I needed to get done before they got here.

“When will they get here?”

“Two days.”

“Dang I’ll miss them.” She put the pie in the oven and turned to me. “Sooo…”