Page 43 of Baby, It’s You (Clairesville #1)

Olive

I ’m a sobbing mess on Hunter’s couch when my archenemy walks through the front door.

I hate Dennis, and I know he can’t stand me, either.

Ivy learned to keep her relationship completely separate from her friendship with me because we couldn’t get along.

I tried to at first, for her sake, but it was pointless.

He treated her horribly in front of me and I couldn’t sit by and witness the mistreatment, so I was always calling him out on his crap, which he hated.

“Olive!” Dennis shouts, shock on his face. “You know Cuz?”

I look over at Hunter as he says, “I’ve been holding your crap here for a while, man. Where have you been?” His expression is annoyed, which brings me a little bit of happiness, knowing that he isn’t welcoming Dennis with open arms.

“I went to Vegas with some of the boys. Wild time ,” he responds, his eyes wide, strung out.

“Okay, well a heads-up would have been nice. I was getting to the point where I was going to sell your stuff. I’m not a storage facility,” Hunter tells him. “You need to grow up.”

My head bounces back and forth from one guy to the other as they continue to argue. Feeling uncomfortable and like I would rather be anywhere else in the world than in the presence of Dennis right now, I stand and mumble that I’m going to the bathroom.

“Down the hall to the right,” Hunter tells me, kindness in his eyes. I can almost read an apology in them for his cousin showing up.

Once I find the bathroom, I splash chilly water on my face and stare at myself in the mirror. My eyes are swollen and puffy from tears, my cheeks flushed. Dennis probably loves seeing me like this. His ex’s “evil” best friend in obvious distress.

I stare at myself for a second longer, cursing myself silently for coming here this morning.

What was I thinking? That I would show up at his door and cry in Hunter’s lap, then somehow everything would work out?

I feel pathetic for leaning on him like this.

I don’t even know why I continue to spill my guts out to him.

It’s a level of vulnerability that I can’t seem to hide when he’s nearby.

He brings out a different side of me, a soft and intimate one.

Realizing I've been in here awhile, I click off the light and head back into the hall, where I hear Hunter and Dennis still arguing. This time, it’s about me.

“Don’t talk about her like that,” Hunter commands. His tone is full of aggression.

“I’m just telling you, she’s a huge bitch. She ruined my relationship,” Dennis throws back.

“The only person that ruined your relationship is you ,” Hunter snaps.

I peer around the corner to see Hunter standing in front of Dennis now, his face laced with fury. The argument grows more tense by the second. Dennis is tall but Hunter still towers over him.

“I’m just trying to warn you, man.” Dennis lifts his arms, shrugging. “No pussy is worth the mouth on that bitch.”

At that, Hunter punches him in the face, hard .

I let out an uncontrollable gasp as Dennis wobbles backwards.

He stumbles into the wall and wipes the back of his hand against his bloody nose and mouth.

When Dennis sees red smeared across his hand, he laughs and almost looks manic.

I realize he is definitely on something right now, and I know whatever it is, it’s not legal.

“Dude, I didn’t think you had it in you. Shy little Hunter has some power behind his punch.”

Hunter ignores this as he leans towards Dennis. Jabbing a finger into his chest, he says so quietly I almost can’t hear, “Get your shit and leave now . I don’t want to see you until you get your life together. You have ten minutes to get everything out before I throw your belongings on the lawn.”

The venom in his voice causes Dennis to stop laughing and he almost looks fearful. Hunter backs away as Dennis quickly pushes around him and begins walking towards the hallway.

When he sees me standing there, he sneers as blood drips from his face to his shirt. “Congratulations, Olive. He must really like you. I've never seen him like that.”

I hurry past him before he can say anything else to me.

When I make eye contact with Hunter, he shakes out his hand and clenches his knuckles. “I’m so sorry about that,” he says.

I look down at his hand and walk towards him quickly. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine.” He also looks down towards his fingers and then meets my eyes. His own are piercing and sincere. “If you heard anything he said, please ignore the comments. Dennis is a mess. The whole family knows it.”

I nod my head and look down at the wood floor. “It’s okay. I know I can be a bitch; I was one to you last night.” My throat feels tight with the confession.

“No, it’s not okay.” Hunter gently touches my chin and lifts my head so my eyes meet his once more. “No one should ever speak about you that way. Do you understand me?”

I dip my head in response as his hand still rests on my face. I feel myself lean into his touch. “I hate that Tripp talks down to you and that I can't do anything about it right now. I won't allow one of my family members to disrespect you. That’s something I can control.”

I listen in silence as he continues, “I understand now why you left last night; you got swept up in the moment. It’s my fault for wanting you when you made it clear you only see me as a friend.”

As he says the words, I feel a bitter taste in my mouth. The lies I keep telling myself are beginning to swirl around inside me like a disease. I shake my head as he continues to make excuses for my actions.

“No, no,” I tell him, cutting him off. “I wanted to kiss you last night. I made the move.” I take a deep breath as his eyes stare into mine with such intensity that I want to confess my deepest thoughts. “Hunter, I do like you. I like you, too.”

Hearing those words, his dark eyes illuminate and his expression grows hopeful.

I stammer, “But I can’t date you right now. Maybe one day, but not while I’m trying to figure everything out with my life.”

He reaches out and takes my hand as I continue, “It wouldn’t be fair to you, for us to be together when I have so many things to deal with right now.

I can’t even get my emotions in check, so I can’t be a partner to someone.

” I breathe deeply. “If you want to wait for when I’m ready to be with you, then great.

But if you don’t, I understand that, too.

I’ve always told myself that if I ever chose to be in a relationship, I was going to go in as my best self.

I’m never going to date someone to provide myself shelter, like my mother, or because I can’t handle being alone…

” I look down the hallway and then whisper, “Like Ivy has done. I need to stand on my two feet securely before I can be with you.”

Hunter absorbs everything I’m telling him. “Okay. I’ll wait,” he says matter-of-factly. Like it’s that simple.

“I understand if you find someone else in the meantime. I can’t tell you how long it will take me to be ready.”

He draws me into his arms and looks down at me, a small smile playing on his lips.

“Olive, don’t you understand? I would wait a lifetime for you. You’re incredible. I want you .”

I sink into his arms at those words, holding him tight. The connection between us consumes me. His arms wrap around me even tighter, and I bury my head in his chest. I inhale deeply and he laughs. “You might not want to do that. I haven’t showered.”

I laugh, too. “I don’t mind. I just like you,” I tell him softly.

It feels so good to finally admit it to myself.

I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders, now that he knows my true feelings.

With everything on the table, I don’t have to worry about hurting him because the ball is now in his court.

He can choose to wait or move on if he finds someone else.

Would it wreck me if he did? Yes, but it wouldn’t be fair to not give him a choice.

I want him to be happy, and I have dealt with heartbreak my whole life—maybe not from boys I’ve dated, but from my parents.

I can handle not being chosen by someone I care for. I always find a way to stay strong.

Suddenly, the door slams behind us while I’m still in Hunter’s embrace, and I realize Dennis just walked out the front door.

We both pull apart and look towards the sound. “Don’t worry, he won’t be staying here anymore. I’m done making excuses for him,” Hunter tells me.

At that I release a wide, relieved smile. “That’s the best news I’ve heard all day.”