7. Hunter

Chapter 7

Hunter

now

The powder room hasn't changed. The fabric chair at the vanity scratches at the back of my bare thighs as I shift uncomfortably in front of the mirror.

I spent the car ride here reminding myself of what's real and true.

What's different now, how I've changed since then.

It didn't work.

As soon as Greedy stormed past me and through the front doors of the country club, I felt myself slipping.

I've sunken into disassociation. My mind is empty, my emotions turned off. Every barrier and protective layer in my arsenal has been erected. I'm a hollow shell of a human, but at least nothing can touch me in this state.

The toilet flushes.

I shudder.

Movement in the mirror catches my attention .

I track the threat as she approaches. I don't take my eyes off her—don't even allow myself to blink—as she stops directly behind me.

She looks older. It makes sense, since I haven't seen her in person in over three years. Though she's aged, her features haven't softened a bit. There's a sallowness—wrinkles that can't be smoothed out cosmetically, a sickly paleness that her makeup doesn't quite cover—I've never seen before.

When she meets my gaze in the mirror, I quickly look away.

That's my first mistake.

Averting my eyes. Submitting.

When she puts her hand on my shoulder, I can't help but flinch—my second misstep in as many seconds.

"Darling," she coos, a saccharine sweetness to her tone that makes my stomach turn. Her fingertips ever-so-lightly graze against my earlobe as she tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. "I'm so happy you're here. Gary is thrilled to have us all together again."

I nod, the movement jerky, and rise, shrugging her hand off my shoulder in one motion. "Let's not keep him waiting, then."

Sorrow swirls low in my belly as I follow my mother through the foyer where my life literally and metaphorically fell apart three years ago. I can still feel the pain as it came in waves, twisting up my insides in acute, throbbing contractions. I can see the boy standing before me, trying so hard to comfort me without knowing the extent of my anguish.

It was too much then.

It's still too much now.

With a shake of my head, I banish the memories and hurry through the lobby, hoping like hell I can leave the past behind me.

But once we enter the dining room, I'm transported there once again.

"Here are our guys," my mother singsongs. She stops next to Dr. F and plants a kiss on his cheek, then settles into the seat by his side.

Our guys.

If she only fucking knew .

The only seat left puts me between Dr. F and Greedy. I sit down, gaze set on the expensive place setting laid out before me.

"Anything to drink, miss?" our server asks.

"Water's fine. Thank you."

"I'll take two more of these," Greedy grumbles, holding a lowball glass up. "Keep them coming."

He won't even acknowledge my presence as I shrink into my seat and hope like hell this is as awkward as it's going to get tonight.

It got worse. So much worse.

Greedy is so drunk he's leaning on the table, head propped up in his hand, glaring at me wordlessly.

My mother is putting on her very best show for Dr. Ferguson.

Dr. Ferguson is buying it all, completely entranced by her every move and hanging on her every word.

"I hope this is the first of many, but this is more than just a family dinner. Hunter, Garrett. Magnolia and I wanted to formally invite you to spend the holidays at the family cabin."

"Fuck," Greedy mutters under his breath just loud enough for me to hear.

"For how long?" I ask, not taking my eyes off Greedy.

My mother tsks, probably itching to scold me for being rude. I don't care. I don't want to disappoint Dr. F, but I have to know what I'm getting myself into before I commit.

"As long as you'd like," he says. "I can only get away from the hospital for a few days, but you're welcome to spend the entirety of winter break at the cabin. Unless you have other plans?"

Greedy barks a snide laugh. "Do you have plans, Hunter? With your boyfriend, maybe? "

He's goading me, but I'm the only one at this table who seems to have any grasp on reality, and I'm sick and tired of falling in line and worrying about the feelings of everyone around me.

"In fact, I do," I tell him. Then, turning to Dr. F and my mother, I say, "Levi and I plan to spend the holidays together. I'll come to the cabin, but only if he can come along."

"Of course," Dr. Ferguson says with a warm smile.

Greedy snickers, wobbling beside me. "Great. Fucking great. Might as well invite your British bitch boy to join us, too."

"Garrett," Dr. Ferguson bites out with a disapproving frown. "Any friend of your sister's is a friend of this family."

Greedy looks me dead in the eye when he mutters, "She's not my sister."

"Hunter, your friends are welcome to join us. In fact, I insist. I just want my family together on Christmas Day."

I thank Dr. F just as our server returns with dessert. Stomach churning, all I can do is push pie around my plate and pray the night is almost over.

By the time we're ready to leave, Greedy is so sloshed he's swaying on his feet.

"Christmas at the cabin," he sneers, getting right in my face while we wait for the valet to bring around the car. "I used to love that place."

Heart sinking, I turn and catch his gaze.

His mossy-green eyes are red and squinty. He attempts to scowl at me, but it doesn't last long. His anger slips, and his expression softens the longer we consider one another. Eventually, he swallows, his Adam's apple bobbing in a motion I can't help but track.

"Greedy—" I start.

He looks away, shoulders slumped. "I used to love a lot of things," he whispers, so softly I almost don't hear it.

Then, with a shake of his head, he stands straighter, his expression going hard again.

"Time to go home, sis. Wouldn't want to keep all your special guests waiting."