“Iwaspaying attention to the road, and I was hardly doing much past twenty. And I can’t control the weather and the melting snow.AndI have no say in the maintenance of the streets around here either.”
Hunter gripped the handles of his bags tightly. “If you’re insinuating that I have something to do with that because I have family on the town council—”
“I didn’t say that. Listen, Hunter, I don’t want to argue. I just stopped to apologize and see if you needed a ride. Actually, scrap that. If I’d known it was you, I might have apologized but I sure as hell wouldn’t have offered you a ride anywhere. Not with that damned attitude you’ve got.”
Hunter stiffened. “I’m perfectly capable of getting my own way around.”
Aaron scoffed and looked him up and down, the judgment in his gaze grating on Hunter, but he stood firm under the inspection. “What are you doing standing in the middle of the street anyway?”
“I’m on the side—” Hunter paused as he took in Aaron’s smirk.Asshole. He knows he’s getting to me.As Aaron smiled, Hunter’s anger began to fade. It was hard to be in a bad mood as he responded to seeing Aaron for the first time in so long. It seemed his body hadn’t forgotten the attraction. He swallowed heavily, clearing his throat. “I had car trouble. The old man’s coming to get me.”
“So you don’t need a ride then?” Aaron said, his breath clouding in front of him.
“I thought there was no way you’d let me in your truck?”
“It’s freezing.” As if to prove the point, he blew on his hands then rubbed them together before shoving them into his pockets. “I wouldn’t leave anyone wet, cold, and stranded on the side of the street.”
“Especially since you’re the cause—”
“Oh, for God’s sake.” Aaron rolled his eyes. Those gorgeous blue eyes that Hunter had always gotten lost in.
Before Hunter could respond, a car pulled up. Hunter didn’t recognize the dark sedan, but as the driver stepped from the vehicle, he saw Don, the maintenance guy who’d been employed by his parents for as long as Hunter could remember.
“Hunter,” Don called. “Your dad sent me to collect you.”
“Of course he did,” Aaron muttered under his breath.
Hunter narrowed his eyes at Aaron before turning his attention to Don. Don was the one person Hunter had missed seeing these last few years. He refused to acknowledge that he’d missed Aaron, pushing aside the memories. They shook hands, the warmth of Don’s palm reminding Hunter how cold he was. “Hey, Don. It’s great to see you.”
“You too, kid. It’s about time you showed your face around here.” He gave Hunter a warm smile, and Hunter’s bad mood lowered another notch. “Your mother is going to be so pleased.”
Hunter chuckled. “Why is it that everyone keeps saying that?”
Don shrugged. “It’s Christmas. You know she lives for Christmas, and it’s not the same without you around.”
“I’ll bet,” Aaron said, and Hunter could hear the sarcasm in his voice.
Don seemed oblivious to any tension. “Evening, Aaron. How ya doing?”
“Good thanks, Don. And you?”
“Can’t complain. Anyway, it’s damn cold out here, and you look a little worse for wear, Hunter, so I suggest we get moving. I think your mom has some sort of welcome event planned too.”
Hunter almost groaned out loud but forced a smile. “Yes, I’m late as it is.”
“Let me take your luggage.” Don reached for Hunter’s duffel, but he moved it out of the way. There was no way he was making someone else carry his bag when he was perfectly capable of handling it on his own.
“I’ve got it.” He smiled his thanks. “If you could just pop the trunk.”
“Sure.” Don nodded, then turned to Aaron. “Pass on my regards to your folks. I guess I’ll see you all at the fundraiser.”
Hunter cringed at the words.
Oh, God. The annual Cavendish Crossing Christmas Eve Dance. Kill me now.
Things were going from bad to worse to even worse—he adamantly refused to acknowledge the part of him that was excited to see Aaron again—and he hadn’t even made it to the house yet.
Hunter gave Aaron a curt nod as he passed, placing his belongings carefully into the trunk before joining Don in the thankfully warm car. Don pulled out, and Hunter couldn’t resist keeping an eye on Aaron as they passed. He stood on the sidewalk dressed in dark pants and rich red sweater, with his hands shoved deep in his pockets. He watched the car as it progressed down the street, and Hunter found his gaze glued to the retreating figure in the side mirror—Aaron, still standing there as the sedan rounded the corner and disappeared from sight.
