“I’d like to be in a relationship.”
His shoulders drop like he’s relieved, and I realize that maybe he is. Maybe he didn’t know I felt the same. “It was the same for me,” I say softly. “With Lila,” I clarify when his nose scrunches. “You were so gentle with her, and I figured any man that gentle with animals would be gentle with humans too. With… me.”
Hunter’s smile lights up his entire face, and my heart slams against my rib cage. I deserve this, I think.Him.I deserve genuine care and compassion. I deserve someone gentle and kind.
I just hope I can be what he deserves too.
Chapter 33
Hunter
Theo’snervous.Icantell. I wish he wasn’t, but I understand why he is. When we get to Austin and Luca’s front door, he shakes out his hands, blowing out a deep breath. “Alright,” he mumbles to himself. “It’s gonna be okay.”
“It is.” Turning toward him, I cup his jaw, tilting his head back. “This is gonna be fun. And if you’re not having fun, just say… spoiled milk, and I’ll take you home.”
Theo laughs. “Spoiled milk?”
“Sure.”
He quirks an eyebrow. “Are you giving me a safe word for a game night?”
I press a kiss to his nose. “If that’s what it takes, yep.”
He fights a smile, his teeth sinking into his bottom lip. “Well, alright then. Spoiled milk if I need to get out.”
“You got it.” I brush my thumb along his jaw. “But this will be fun, I promise.”
Steeling himself, Theo turns and knocks on the front door. Less than three seconds later, Luca is throwing it open with a grin. “Hey, y’all. I’m glad you could make it.”
“Thanks for having me,” I say, offering Luca a smile.
Luca tilts his head. “And lucky for you, there’s no rock skipping today.”
I roll my eyes with a groan. “Oh my God. Are youevergonna let that go? The only reason you won is because you cheated.”
“I’m not sure you can cheat at rock skipping.” Austin pops up behind Luca in the doorway. Ofcoursehe would take Luca’s side. Nothing changes, I guess. “Nice to see you, Theo. Hunter, you too.” He nods his head toward me. “Come on in.”
Warm fingers slip in between mine, and I give them a gentle squeeze as I lead Theo inside. The last time I was here, I barely even noticed the house itself. I was much too worried about Theo. And for good reason, it turns out.
Brushing my thumb along his, I give his hand another squeeze. Things could have turned out so differently if he hadn’t shown up at my house in the middle of the night, and the thought of that… Fuck.
“Okay, so I thought we could play Monopoly.” Luca pulls the box out from under the coffee table. “It’s Jasper’s least favorite game, and if there’s anything I like doing, it’s driving Jasper up the wall.”
“I’m fine with that,” Theo says. “Monopoly. Not driving Jasper up the wall.”
“When are they gonna be here?” I ask, looking around.
“Any minute, I think,” Austin says, just as a knock sounds out.
The door creaks open a second later, and Arlo steps inside with Jasper hot on his trail.
“Did you ride together?” Luca asks, sounding suspicious.
Arlo and Jasper exchange a glance before Arlo clears his throat. “Yes.”
Given the look on Austin and Luca’s faces, that’s news to them. Catching a ride to game night together is no less than I expected from the two of them, given that I caught them kissing outside of the fire station one night. Although, they did seem to be tucked away and hidden. So maybe it’s not common knowledge…
Interesting.
