Chapter Eighteen
Elliot
“Where are we going?” I ask for the fourth time since we got in the car ten minutes ago.
“It’s a surprise,” he answers.Again.
I huff like a petulant child and look out the window at Lake Shore Drive passing by. “It’s like you’re punishing me.”
His laugh comes out in a quiet breath, and then his hand lands on my thigh and squeezes.
“You’ll love it, I promise,” he says reassuringly, then asks, “Do you trust me?”
I turn my attention back to him. “Of course I do.”
The problem is, I’ve never been very good with surprises because I don’t know how to react. There were times when I was younger when I was super excited over a gift, and my mom told me to calm down. Then there’s the pressure not to upset someone if I don’t like the surprise. I don’t want to hurt their feelings, and I’m a shit liar.
But I trust Hunter. I know he wouldn’t do something I didn’t like or wouldn’t enjoy. It’s going to be good because it’shim.
“How’s your brother enjoying New York?” he asks.
Blaine and Alex left for New York yesterday to take part in the All-Star event. He chartered a private plane so they could take Ernie with them, much to my disappointment because I wanted him for the week.
“You need to focus on getting your knee back to full strength, not running around after my dog,” Blaine argued when I tried to kidnap Ernie in the middle of the night before they left.
He had a point. Doesn’t mean I have to like it. He ruins all the fun.
But as it is the All-Star break, Colleen has arranged with Coach Harris for me to have Boomer for a few days. It will be the first time he’s been able to stay over, and I’m excited for our snuggle sessions, especially now that Hunter is back at work, so I won’t be alone. He went back last week, and it’s been strange not seeing him every day. I know it’s for the best, considering we’re still in the early phase of our relationship, but it doesn’t make me miss him any less.
“Good, I think. He likes these events. They’re kinda showy and flashy.”
“Have you ever taken part in one?”
“Yeah, I’ve done a few, but I declined the option to go this year. I was still feeling very… up in my feelings about Blaine getting married and all my friends coupling off. All the players take their families to these events, and the last thing I wanted was to be surrounded by even more couples.”
He hums. “That’s understandable.” He glances over to me before focusing back on the road. “Maybe one day, you can take part again, and I’ll come with you.”
My mouth drops open as surprise flickers through me. “You would?”
“Of course I would. I know my shifts are long and can be shit sometimes, but I get time off, and we have what we call Kelly days, which are like extra days off.”
“And you’d use them for me?”
“Yeah. I mean, I used some the other week to take care of you.” He takes the exit, then stops at a red light. He twists to face me, and there’s a soft smile on his face. “One of these days, you’re going to believe me when I say I’ll do anything for you.”
My heart lurches in my chest, my mouth twisting as I try to hide my smile, but I fail. I grin so wide, the muscles in my cheeks ache.
Only when he pulls up into the parking lot for the zoo, my smile drops, and I narrow my eyes, shooting him a questioning look.
“What are we doing at the zoo?”
“I’ve arranged a special experience for you. Something fun. I think you’ll enjoy it.”
We get out of the car, and Hunter immediately takes my hand. He leads me through the gardens, and we stop in front of the otter enclosure. With an audible gasp, I let go of his hand and walk as fast as I can to the large window that looks into one of the areas.
“Oh my god!” I shriek as a river otter dives through the water, swimming up to the glass. “How did you know I love otters?”
He snorts. “El, it would be concerning if I didn’t know you loved otters. You talk about them all the time and send me photos.”
