“My next class is in ten minutes. I’ll see you around.” I kept smiling as I sauntered forward in a dismissive manner. “I appreciate the ride this morning, Hunter.”
A crestfallen expression fell over him and I felt horrible for cutting our interaction so short, but I couldn’t stay here any longer. He nodded and returned blankly, “Right. Have a good day, Gabby.”
Oh, this hurt. I swallowed. “You too.”
On my way out of the auditorium, I collided with the back of a guy who was also exiting. Anoomphnoise escaped me as I recoiled back a step.
Dressed in a black T-shirt, white ball cap, and simple blue jeans, he peered over his shoulder, his mouth parted like he was about to say something rude.
But he froze the second he saw me.
I paused too, the colour leaching from my face.
It was like looking into a broken mirror, the jagged lines showcasing different moments in our relationship—the good and the bad—scattered across a timeline of three years, when we belonged to each other before inevitably leading to the one that caused the damaging crack in the first place.
My next lungful of air was painful and caused my eyes and throat to burn with anger.
He was a ghost of my past.
He should have stayed there, never to return.
For he knew my wrath—and my papà’s—wasn’t one he wanted to court.
“Hey,” he said nonchalantly, like we were acquaintances and this was just another silly little day where we crossed paths. “It’s good to see you, Gabby.”
Then Franco Moretti, my ex-boyfriend who shattered my heart many moons ago, continued walking ahead like he didn’t turn my entire day to shit.
CHAPTER 9
Three Red Roses
Hunter
Now that I’d officially moved out, I made a promise to my mom that I would spend every Wednesday night back at home with her and my older sister, Heidi.
Mom claimed the house was lonely without my presence and I understood those words were rooted in her abandonment and attachment issues. She loved her children dearly and wanted the best for them, yet seeing her little birdies leave the nest wasn’t an easy feat. Especially with my dad no longer here. I knew that was why Heidi still lived at home, but it wouldn’t be long before she was gone too.
During dinner, we discussed Heidi’s new job at an accounting firm and the start of her CPA studies, followed by my schooling and my upcoming games. The Panthers were doing great. Coach Turner was convinced we were bringing the championship trophy home this year.
After dinner, I did the dishes, Heidi tidied up the kitchen, and Mom picked a movie for us to watch. Not horror, thankfully. I didn’t think I could stomach another one so soon. I’d filled my quota for the month, a laughable concept since I still had two more classes remaining for September and a total of eleven until the end of the fall semester.
When the movie came to an end, I pecked both Mom’s and Heidi’s heads. “Good night. I’m exhausted and going to bed. I’ll see you both in the morning.”
It wasn’t a complete lie. I was tired and would go to bed soon, but after I took care of something first. Heidi gave me a frown accompanied by a quizzical expression that saidI’m-not-buying-your-shit-Hunter.
Exactly fifteen minutes after I barricaded myself in my old room, two knocks on my door broke my focus.
My fingers paused on my laptop’s keyboard, halfway through my research. I didn’t even have the chance to say, “Come in,” before Heidi barged inside like she was a queen and this was her dominion.
I rubbed my forehead.
What was it about siblings and lack of boundaries?
Granted, I loved my sister, but couldn’t a guy get some privacy to figure out how to preserve the bouquet he received from the girl he liked without being interrupted?
“What are you doing?” Heidi demanded nosily, crossing her arms and coming over to where I sat by my desk. She peered over my shoulder to stare at my screen.
So much for secrecy. I gestured to the paper cup filled with water and my three roses sitting close to my laptop. “Gabriela gave these to me today. I’m trying to find a way to keep them forever.”
