34. Hunter

Iwas sitting in my room when I heard the chorus of yells downstairs.

"Aussie!"

My body straightened at the sound of his name. I looked down, suddenly regretting the choice to be a couch potato—gray sweats. Because knowing he was downstairs only gave me enough time to grab a hoodie and rush out the door.

I watched him smile as the men from the team jostled him about in greeting. His auburn hair stood out against his all black clothes, his cheeks flushed from a combination of the cold and the attention from the team. I stood frozen on the stairs, silently begging him to look my way, just once.

Almost on cue, I watched his shoulders stiffen., I saw him blink a few times and knew that if I were standing closer I'd be able to see those dark lashes fan against the sun-kissed freckles scattered across his cheekbones. He was fighting it, telling himself not to look up, not letting himself get drawn in by my presence. But like me, this thing between us was too big to ignore. His head slowly rose, like a puppet on an invisible string and his eyes connected with mine. His Adam's apple bobbed at the sight of me, and I knew he was taking in my disheveled state. He was seeing me for the first time—the real me. The one behind the cocky smile, behind the mask I put on for the rest of the world.

His eyes held mine for what felt like an eternity. I watched Jarman come beside him, his eyes flicking between the two of us. We were completely oblivious to the party going on around us. We were apart, yet he was my home base, his heartbeat with mine, his mind and mine connected. I was dying to cross the inevitable barrier that held us apart.

Jarman said something to Aussie, and I stood in anticipation because it looked like he was saying to give me a chance. If I was reading his lips right, that was—he was telling him to talk to me. Aussie gave me one final glance over and slowly shook his head. With every shake, I felt my heart cracking. I tapped my fingers on the railing, then retreated back to my room.