Say You'll Remember Me

Chapter Fourteen

Life seemed to be speeding on by. After the whole fighting with Hunter and then getting drunk because of his mother was over, there was were two weeks behind us. We had known each other for two weeks now and he still wasn’t tired of me. I couldn’t believe it, but it was true. Even after everything he mother did to break us, even after what he found out about me, he was still there beside me every single morning.

With a smile on his face and a kiss waiting for me. 

I put the money back under my floorboard and Hunter promised me that there was no way Jimmy could find me. I knew that wasn’t true, all he had to do was ride the bus until the end. I mean that’s how I had found this place. There was no plan to my running, I just ran until I felt like stopping. This was when I thought I’d stop and start again. I never thought I would lay down the roots I had always been dreaming about.

One week down and only two full months left together. It felt like I had known Hunter all my life, one week or not. He was the answer I had been looking for all these years. The answer that I never knew where to find. I never thought I would be searching for a person, but when he found me, everything seemed to make sense. I still couldn’t believe he didn’t run away screaming after I told him the truth.

I knew Jimmy wasn’t dead, there was just this gut feeling I had that told me he had survived and was angrier than hell that I had gotten away. He was probably even anger when he found his stash and his money gone. The gut feeling was the one that followed me around, telling me to look over my shoulder as I ran.

Hunter made it easier to believe he wouldn’t be there watching and waiting for the right time to make me pay for ruining his life.

We were all sitting in the living room, it was the second week of December. We were all just talking and sharing stories. Hunter was beside me, his hand on my knee as I curled up in a blanket and listened to Emma tell us about the party her class was having for Christmas. She was so adorable and I loved listening to her talk. She was like a big baby doll I never got to play with. I never stopped smiling when she shared her stories.

Hunter was watching me as I listened to Emma, I could feel his eyes. But I kept looking at his sister and nodding when she waited for a response. After she was finished Rick cleared his throat and looked at me.

“So Charlie do you have any Christmas traditions?” Rick asked filling in the silence that had followed the end of Emma’s chatter. It had gotten colder, if that was even possible, and everyone seemed to be buzzing with Christmas cheer. We were only a week into the month and everyone was going crazy with their decorations. I never got into the Christmas spirit because I didn’t have anyone to celebrate it with. I guess that showed when I looked at Rick and I saw him realize his mistake.

My face went pale as I shook my head slowly. Hunter grabbed my hand off my knee, “uh no,” I finally answered looking down at our hands for a second. Then I picked my head up and did what I always did. I put on a brave front, “I never celebrated Christmas like everyone else. I didn’t have a family that wanted to celebrate.”

Hunter gave his father a dirty look, and Rick looked very embarrassed as the room fell silent. I squeezed Hunter’s hand letting him know I was okay, but he was staring at his father, waiting for him to say something else, “I am so sorry Charlie. I shouldn’t have asked that, I just thought maybe if you did something special we could do it too while you’re here. I hate that you had such a hard childhood.”

I forced a smile for him, “it’s okay. I’m used to it,” I said shrugging and then Hunter looked at me. A real smile came onto my face, “I’m pretty excited to celebrate with you guys. Especially Hunter,” I said as he pulled me into his side and kissed my cheek, “I hope you don’t mind having me. I love watching families and their traditions.”