Page 13

T he next few months were filled with major changes in Adam, Luna, and Hunter's routine. Hunter, who was used to training almost every single day for hockey, had been staying at home and attending to his business ventures from the comfort of his apartment. Luna had continued to look after Adam. She had tried to learn as much as she could about sickle cell disease. Adam was getting used to a new diet. He was also learning to listen to his body to ensure no other flare-ups occurred. It was a lot for a small boy to get used to, at his age. Yet, he seemed to be handling everything with great maturity. In fact, everyone was settling into their own routine quite nicely. Hunter enjoyed working from home, and this was the most time he had spent with his son in years. He was truly thankful for the time off.

Hunter and Luna were still going steadily forward in their romance, even with the changes in routine, and on the nights that she and Hunter wanted to go out as a couple, her friend covered for her and watched Adam. Adam was doing well overall. He still had frequent episodes of fatigue, but his pain was managed. The bond between Luna and Hunter had grown stronger. They had seemed to find their rhythm with one another. It seemed that Adam’s illness and Luna’s trip back to her native country, Guatemala, had helped them. They were now truly settling in together as a blended family.

There were times when Hunter still struggled with being away from his team. Thankfully, his absence did not affect the team too much, as they were still number one in the National Hockey League. Hunter was thankful to his teammates for supporting him and caring for his son. He had even been invited to an end-of-season party for the team. Yet, part of him felt guilty for attending, knowing that he had only been there for part of the season. However, Luna assured him that it was important that he go. Hunter did not know it, but he would be given an award that night at the party. The team had a surprise waiting for him; they wanted to give him something special, considering how hard of a year he had experienced with Adam’s illness.

“Are you sure that I should go tonight?” Hunter asked Luna. “I was only there for half of the season. Plus, who will watch Adam?”

“I have already talked to Ella,” she responded to him. “Plus, it is important to still go out. You have been working in your office for months. Adam is in good hands. I promise you.”

Hunter walked into his closet and started going through his suits. Luna walked in and started looking for a dress to wear. She had practically moved in entirely over the last few months. She considered talking to Hunter about ending the lease on her apartment, but the thought of bringing this up in conversation made her uneasy. She figured he had enough on his mind already. For now, this was enough, and the two of them were content.

“What about this one?” Hunter asked her while holding up a grey suit.

“You wore that one last week,” she responded to him. “You wore it for the charity function. Here, how about this one, with this tie?”

Luna held up a classic black suit with a bold red tie.

“I can wear a red dress to match your outfit,” Luna said happily.

“Well,” Hunter started to say to her. “Well, you know how I feel about you in red.”

Luna nodded, biting her lip. It had been a while since they’d been intimate. The chaos around them had brought them closer emotionally, but their physical connection had taken a back seat. Luna had been craving Hunter for some time now, and he felt the same way. Just imagining her in a long, sultry red dress sent a thrill through him.

Hunter looked down at his watch and then back up at Luna. She was biting her lip, and he became even hungrier for her. He wanted her right there, in the walk-in closet.

“You know,” he said to her. “You know we still have some time before Ella shows up to watch Adam.”

“Oh?” Luna responded coyly. “Whatever did you have in mind?”

Hunter walked over to her and ran his fingers through her hair. He then brushed her hair away from her neck. He leaned down and began kissing the nape of her neck. Luna moaned. She grabbed Hunter’s hair and then forced his mouth onto hers. They had not touched one another in so long. They were so hungry for each other’s bodies.

Hunter picked her up, and Luna wrapped her legs around him. The two continued to kiss passionately. Hunter placed her on the carpet of the walk-in closet. He quickly unbuttoned his shirt while Luna unzipped his pants. She pulled his dick out and began moving her hand up and down while grasping him. Hunter moaned. He was so hard.

While she touched him, Hunter placed his hand up Luna’s skirt. He moved her panties out of the way with his hand before placing his fingers inside her vagina. Luna arched her head back. He could see the look of pleasure on her face. He knew just how to touch her, and she knew how to excite him, making him want more from her.

They continued to touch each other, and each time their skin touched, intense pleasure rippled throughout their entire bodies. Hunter reached down, grabbed his penis, and slowly inserted himself inside of her pussy.

“I want you so badly,” Hunter said to her.

Luna widened her legs for Hunter.

“I want you too, baby,” she said sultrily to him.

Luna took one of her hands and placed it between her teeth. She was trying to keep herself quiet in case Ella came into the apartment earlier than expected. Hunter continued to move his body back and forth on top of Luna, matching his movements with the subtle moans she made. His body began moving faster and faster. He couldn't control himself. He wanted all of her. He wanted to be as deep inside Luna as his body would allow. Luna reciprocated his sentiments. She arched her back and wrapped her legs tighter around Hunter’s waist. She could feel the sweet release coming. She had been waiting for what felt like forever to feel ecstasy again.

“That’s it, baby,” Hunter whispered in Luna’s ear. “That’s it, baby. I want you to cum for me.”

“Tell me again,” Luna whimpered to Hunter.

“Give me everything,” Hunter said gently to her.

As Hunter moved his body, Luna let herself find a sweet release. Hunter, seeing how much he had pleased her, found his own release, as well. They finished their intimacy together in complete ecstasy. When they were done, they both lay on the floor, exhausted. Luna rolled over onto her side and looked at Hunter.

“That was amazing,” she said to him.

“It really was,” he responded. “And just think, the night is still young.”

Luna got up and went into the bathroom to wash off. The couple began getting ready for their big night out. Soon after they were dressed and ready to go, Ella walked into the apartment. Luna greeted her and thanked her for watching Adam.

“Oh, you know I love that boy,” Ella told Luna. “You two go out and enjoy yourselves tonight. You both deserve a break.”

A limo was outside the apartment, waiting for both Luna and Hunter. The both of them looked stunning together, Luna in an elegant long dress and Hunter in a classic suit with a red tie. They looked like a picture-perfect couple.

Luna knew that there would be paparazzi at this event, and she had already prepared herself for this fact. She did not know what it was. Perhaps it was Adam's illness or her time away from Hunter, but the thought of so many photographers did not upset her anymore. All she cared about was the family unit that she was building with Hunter. She did not want something as trivial as paparazzi to get in the way of her relationship with him.

She had kept quiet during most of the ride there, not because she was upset but because she knew that Hunter was going to be receiving an award at the ceremony. She was so excited for him, and it was all that she could do to not say anything. She knew this event would cheer him even more, and she wanted to see Hunter as happy as possible. The team had made her promise to keep the award secret, especially Frank, and she did not want to let on that she knew anything about the night’s events.

When the driver finally pulled up to the location for the event, Luna peeked out of the passenger’s window and saw the paparazzi lined up outside. She took a deep breath and prepared herself; she was ready for this. She could handle the photographers. Hunter, sensing her anxiety slowly building, reached over and grabbed her hand. Luna smiled at him with appreciation. She could conquer tonight with Hunter by her side. Tonight was about him, after all. She had made herself a promise that she would be there for Hunter, and she was going to keep the promise that she made to not only herself but to Hunter and to Adam, as well.

The couple stepped out of the limo together. The flashing lights were blinding, but Luna only focused on Hunter. He guided her across the red carpet. They occasionally stopped and took pictures together for the photographers. Luna sighed to herself again. Only this time, she sighed out of relief. Part of this was actually fun. Could it be that she was starting to enjoy fame a little bit? Not that she was letting the fame get to her head, but if the paparazzi were going to be there, she might as well strike a pose, especially if she was standing next to Hunter. She was happy to have her picture taken with him. She felt like the luckiest girl in the world.

“You are doing great, baby,” Hunter softly said to her. “Just stay focused on me.”

“I am always focused on you,” Luna said lovingly to Hunter.

The two held hands even tighter. When they had finished walking the red carpet, the couple entered the building and saw a stunning array of decorations. The team spared no expense to celebrate the end of the season. The room was filled with dinner tables, set with elegant dishware. The event was fit for hockey royalty. Luna and Hunter walked over to their table, and as they sat down, a waiter swiftly appeared, serving up bubbly champagne, setting the stage for a night to remember.

“Champagne!” Luna exclaimed. “We really are celebrating tonight.”

“The team had a great season,” Hunter said to her. “I really am glad that we are here. “Thank you so much for convincing me to come tonight.”

“I knew you would regret it if you didn’t come,” she responded honestly. “Plus, I always love an excuse to see you in a suit. You look so handsome you devil you.”

“You look even better,” Hunter said lovingly to her.

The couple spent the next few minutes mingling with others at the party. Everyone there was in good spirits. The team was number one nationally, and there was much to celebrate that night. Everyone was drinking good wine and liquor, eating tasty food, and enjoying each other’s company. Once the appetizers were done circulating the rounds of people, servers began plating the main course. While eating dinner, notable speakers went up on stage and gave inspirational speeches about the team’s ability to overcome obstacles throughout the season. It was true that the team had gone through and overcome a lot. Frank, their head coach, was gone for the first half of the season, and Hunter was gone for the second half. Yet, the team did what they did best: they went out on the ice and played hockey.

Hunter started cutting his steak. He had started to eat his dinner when Henry came up and sat down beside him. Luna noticed Henry’s presence as well. Her body stiffened. She did not want there to be any trouble tonight. This event was about celebrating the team and Hunter. Really, this event was about celebrating Adam’s recovery. The couple had not been out to an event like this in a long time, and Luna felt that it was important for Hunter to enjoy himself and feel a part of the team again. She knew that he missed the camaraderie. She looked over at Henry and tried to make eye contact. She hoped that Henry would behave himself tonight. Hunter and Henry had already been in one fight, and she did not want another argument to break out at this beautiful event. This last thought caused her to look around at the people. She did not see Stella, and that, too, was a good sign. Luna did not want problems from here, either.

“Hey, Hunter,” Henry said calmly. “How are you?”

Hunter stiffened. There had been some bad blood between them since they got in a fistfight on the ice several months ago. He had noticed Henry at the hospital several months ago, and he was surprised to see him there. However, Henry did show up for him during his time of need. It meant a lot to him that he was at the hospital when Adam was sick. Hunter loosened his body. He could hear what Henry had to say.

“Hello, Henry,” Hunter said coolly. “I am doing well, considering all that has happened lately. How are you?”

Henry nodded in understanding. Hunter had been through a lot lately, and he did not want to add to that. Henry took a sip of his cocktail. Hunter could tell that he was nervous, and he wondered why. What did he want to say to him? Why was he there?

“I’m pretty good,” Henry replied to Hunter. “I don’t want to start any trouble, but I was wondering if we could have a word together. Could we talk for a moment, man to man?”

Hunter grabbed his glass of whiskey and cola. He nodded his head yes and got up from his seat.

“I will be right back,” Hunter said to Luna, smiling at her.

He did not want her to worry about this interaction. She had been a fortress of strength for him over these last several months. He would control his anger. He did not want her to have to help clean up any other messes. Hunter and Henry walked away from the dinner table and over to the bar, set up for that night’s event.

Henry offered to refill Hunter’s cocktail. The two men sat silently at the bar for a few minutes. There was an awkward tension in the air.

“I just wanted to call you over and say that I am sorry,” Henry finally told Hunter.

Hunter was shocked. He did not expect an apology from Henry. There had always been competition between them, and the thing that always held them together was that they played for the same team. Common pleasantries were not standard between them. So, this apology was surprising to Hunter. He stayed silent for a moment and arched his eyebrows.

“I know,” Henry started to say to him. “I know that we have not always gotten along, but sitting there in the hospital and watching you and Luna worry over Adam, it all changed me. Can we just put this stupid rivalry behind us?”

Hunter reached over the lip of the bar and grabbed his newly filled cocktail and he quickly took a sip. Henry worried that Hunter would not accept his apology. Finally, Hunter began speaking.

“Of course,” Hunter finally said to him. “Of course we can. Thank you for saying that to me, man. Seriously, it has been hell for the last couple of months. Plus, we are on the same team after all.”

The two men shook hands. Luna had been looking over her shoulder to watch the interaction unfold. She smiled to herself. She was happy to see the two men make up with one another. She watched as the two men toasted their drinks together. Hunter walked back over to his table and sat down beside Luna. He reached over and grabbed her hand.

“Don’t worry,” he said, leaning over to her. “All went well.”

Luna reached over and kissed Hunter’s cheek. She was glad tonight was going well, and she could not wait to see Hunter accept his award from the team. The suspense of the surprise was killing her.

More speakers took the stage as Hunter and Luna continued with their dinner. Finally, Frank appeared, and they both turned to watch and listen to him.

“It is no surprise that this season has been filled with many ups and downs,” Frank said, starting his speech. “It is no surprise to any of us in this room that many unforeseen obstacles have occurred for the team as a whole. Yet, through those obstacles, we have persevered and defied expectations. Throughout those obstacles, we have remained the number-one team in the National Hockey League, and that is a true accomplishment. In order to be a good team, you have to have good leaders, and one of our greatest leaders is sitting in this room.”

Frank continued his speech, and Hunter had no idea who he was talking about.

“When I had my own personal issues to attend to, this young man took control of the team and ensured we saw success in the first half of the hockey season,” Frank stated. “Now, he is experiencing his own troubles, and as a team, we are excited to finally show him some support.”

Hunter suddenly became emotional. He suddenly understood that Frank was talking about him.

“Tonight,” Frank started to say to the audience. “Tonight, in conjunction with celebrating the team’s success this season, we also want to give the most valuable player the MVP award for our team. Hunter, come on up here.”

Hunter rose from his seat and made his way up the steps to the stage, where Frank was waiting with the Most Valuable Player award. As he accepted it, they shared a warm hug. Then, with a smile, Frank gestured for Hunter to step up to the microphone and say a few words to the audience. Hunter took a deep breath, preparing to speak to the crowd.

Hunter stood there, up on stage, silently for a few moments. He was overwhelmed with emotion and gratitude to his team members. He felt so supported. He thanked the team for their support, both throughout the first half of this season when everything was going well and during the second half when his son became gravely ill. He told the audience how much this award meant to him and how he was looking forward to being back as a full-time member of the team as soon as possible when Adam was fully recovered. When he returned to the dinner table after accepting his new award, he looked over at Luna.

“You knew about this, didn’t you?” he asked her with a smile.

Luna played coy and smiled.

“It was so hard to keep it a secret,” she finally said to him.

The couple kissed. The rest of the night went spectacularly. Everyone enjoyed themselves. The night was a success, and when it was time to leave the event, Hunter and Luna decided they did not want the night to end just yet. It had been a while since they were able to be out like this. They were both thankful that Ella was at home, tending to Adam. Adam was in good hands, and they could enjoy themselves as a couple tonight. They walked towards the front door, and suddenly, Hunter saw a slew of paparazzi waiting for them.

Hunter said to Luna gently. “We can go out the back door if this is still too much for you.”

Luna looked up at Hunter.

“No, I'm fine,” she said calmly. “I can handle it now. Just stay with me.”

Hunter grabbed Luna's hand. He was happy that she was growing accustomed to this new life. Fame could be hard to adapt to, but there was a part of him that liked showing her off. He hoped that she felt the same way about him, and thankfully, she did feel that way as well.

Hunter and Luna walked outside. They walked in front of the photographers, and they posed to have their picture taken a couple more times. The paparazzi seemed to have changed their tone towards Luna. Hunter had been right. Within time, the photographers would move on to the next salacious story. For the moment, they loved seeing Hunter and Luna together. It was a new and young love. When they finally got in the car, Hunter asked the driver to take him and Luna to a club on 5th Street. Luna remembered this club; it was the same place where they had danced together the night that they had met for the first time.

“Let’s go out dancing again,” he said to her. “Let’s be together, like the first night we met. I do not want the night to end just yet.”

Luna leaned across the seat and kissed Hunter.

“Let’s go dancing,” she agreed with him. “I need to see those moves on the dance floor again.”

Hunter and Luna walked hand in hand into the club, moving past the lines. Being a celebrity did have its perks. The music was loud and boisterous.

Luna could feel the music running through her body. She loved to dance, and she especially loved dancing with Hunter.

“Come here, you,” she said to Hunter sultrily. “Come dance with me.”

The couple danced. Their bodies were so close together that they could feel the sweat dripping onto each other. Hunter pulled Luna close to him.

He loved the feeling of her hips swaying from side to side. He loved seeing how free she was while dancing. All the stress of the past couple of moments has drifted away for now. At that moment, it was just Hunter, Luna, and the music.

When the two of them stepped out of the club, Hunter grabbed his cell phone from the back pocket of his pants. He had several missed calls and texts from Ella. Luna saw the look of concern grow on Hunter’s face.

“What is it?” she asked him earnestly. “What is wrong?”

Hunter showed Luna all of the notifications from Ella. He felt a pit form in his stomach and a lump form in his throat. He knew what all these missed calls and text messages meant. Something was wrong with Adam.