35. Hunter

Chapter 35

Hunter

now

"So… I didn't realize we'd have an audience." Joey raises both eyebrows and scans the room.

I fight back a smirk, my first genuine smile in hours.

God, I'm so glad she's here.

I take in the four sentries stationed around us. Her guys—Kendrick and Kylian—are positioned against the far wall, gazes fixed on their girl. Levi and Spence are hovering near the door, their focus shifting from me to our guests.

I've been to Decker's cabin here on Beech Mountain a couple of times, but Joey's never been up here with me. It was like a piece of myself clicked back into place the second she walked through the door.

My first question was one loaded with false hope.

"Did Greedy call you?" I blurted out when Spence opened the bedroom door.

He didn't. Joey showed up on her own, because she and her guys are heading out of town the day after tomorrow for her honeymoon. Decker won't tell her where they're going—which sounds very on brand for Decker Crusade—so she's been trying to get in touch to update me.

We're lounging in the middle of the king-size bed in the room Kabir and I slept in last night, lying on our sides with our heads propped on our hands. It's sort of funny that we always end up hanging out in someone's bed. But a warmth grows inside me at the familiarity of the scene.

Well, at least the part with Joey. I'm not used to having four additional sets of eyes on us.

"Um, yeah. About that…"

I survey my guys, taking in the way Spence and Levi are standing shoulder to shoulder.

"Could you give us some privacy?" I ask.

Spence cocks a brow, the look alone telling me exactly how much he dislikes my request.

"I have no intention of leaving you with virtual strangers," Spence states, lifting his chin.

Kylian peers up over his glasses. "Likewise," he adds, nodding toward Joey.

I'd roll my eyes if I had any strength left. After the incident earlier, my body is all out of fight.

Sighing, I turn back to my best friend. I'm so glad she's here. I don't care what the circumstances are or who thinks they need to stand guard.

"What if all four of you go find something to do?" Joey suggests. "Then neither of us will be amongst strangers."

Spence scoffs. "We don't know you either, Josephine Crusade."

I fight back an eye roll, taking in the assumed expressions on Kylian's and Kendrick's faces. I grew up with them. I've known them longer than Joey has, so they have no issue with the suggestion. Clearly, this is my battle to fight.

"Joey's my best friend," I say firmly.

It's Levi's turn to scoff. "You've never mentioned her to me," he insists as he crosses his arms over his chest.

Flovely .

Now Levi and Spence are ganging up on me?

"I met her at the start of this semester," I offer. "She really is my bestie, though. Greedy—" I clear my throat, forcing myself not to get hung up on the word. "Greedy knows her and can vouch for her, too."

Spence's eyes go wide, as if he's prepared to argue, but before he can, I hop off the bed, stride across the room, and circle my arms around his neck.

"I'm okay," I whisper. "I promise."

Gaze softening, he grasps my waist.

I turn my head and rest my cheek against his chest, focusing on Levi. "Why don't you guys head down to the basement and shoot some pool?"

"What do you say, boys?" Spence asks, regarding Kylian and Kendrick. "Care to join us for a round of billiards?"

Levi snorts at his formality, then leans over to kiss me quickly.

"Thank you," I whisper before he pulls away and heads for the door.

Kendrick and Kylian both speak with Joey briefly, then follow Levi to the door.

Spence still has his arms around me when they file out.

"I'll have my phone on me. Call me immediately if you need me."

"I'm okay," I assure him, but nod my agreement all the same.

"Follow me to the door. Lock yourselves in," he instructs.

I fight back the urge to argue. I can't imagine Greedy will come back up here anytime soon, and my mother and Dr. F ventured out today for last-minute shopping in town.

I usher him out and give him a quick kiss before closing and locking the door.

Turning back to the bed, I meet Joey's gaze and burst out laughing.

Her eyes are wide, her brows up in her hairline.

"Hunter… what was that?" she asks, waving a hand toward the now closed and locked door.

Groaning, I make my way over to her, then dramatically flop onto the bed.

" That was Kabir," I say .

"He's British?" Joey asks, her tone reverent.

"Yep."

"And he's super protective of you."

"Uh-huh," I confirm, face buried in the comforter.

"Okay. Real talk. Are you with him, and does he make you call him Daddy?"

I snort at the amusement in her tone.

"I'm—" How the hell do I categorize my relationship with Kabir? "I'm not sure what we are, exactly," I admit. "But," I say, determined to lighten the mood, "he prefers I call him Sir."

Joey bursts into a fit of giggles, circling her arms around me and forcing me to face her.

"We've got some major catching up to do," she tells me pointedly.

We do.

For months, I've avoided telling her my story, but now I'm desperate to get it out. To tell her everything. Now that the truth of what happened that summer is out in the open, the idea of sharing my story gives me a sense of peace. I'm not proud of what I did, but it's time to come to terms with the decisions I made and how I ended up here.

So that's what I do.

For nearly an hour, I give her all the details. I tell her about falling in love with Greedy. About that magical summer. My trip to the hospital and how I found out I was pregnant while suffering a miscarriage.

I tell her about Levi. How he helped me then, and the feelings I have for him now.

Then I relay the details of my time in London. From the fake smiles and flaky roommate to the mental health crisis and my diagnosis.

I go as far as to tell her what happened between Levi, Greedy, and me on the night my mom appeared. I even share what happened the other night in the hot tub, then this afternoon with Greedy.

Joey takes it all in, gripping my hand at the right times, then giving me space when it's clear I'm struggling to get through a story or an explanation .

By the end, we're both crying, but for the first time in a very long time, the tears that fall are cathartic.

"What do you want to happen next?" Joey asks.

We're sitting up in bed now, facing each other, both puffy-eyed and sniffling. The entire bed is covered with crumpled tissue.

"Honestly? I don't know." Dipping my chin, I pluck at the corner of a tissue. "Things with Greedy are getting worse every day," I admit, defeated.

"But you still want him." She gives me a small, sympathetic smile.

Sheepish, I peer up at her and nod. I do. I don't know how; I don't know that it's even possible, given his mutual hatred of Spence and the dismal events of the last twenty-four hours, but in my heart of hearts, I want Greedy. And Levi. And Spence.

I want them all. And if I can't have them, I don't know how I'll survive having to choose.