I'll Reach For You, page 16
"I didn't mean to," I say guilty. She snorts and puts her hand on my cheek and kisses the other one.
"Don't apologize; I like the feeling of you holding onto me." She mumbles against my cheek, I lean and kiss her temple.
"I love you so much, Hunt," I mumble on her skin.
"I love you, too." She whispers; as she puts her hands on my hips and moves down to lay on my chest. I see the mark on her shoulder where I bit her. I trace it with my fingertips.
"I'm sorry," I say. Why do I always have to hurt her?
"Sky, stop. How many times haven't I bite you?" She asks and kisses my collarbone.
"But this was hard," I explain, and she snorts.
"I’ll take it as a compliment." She chuckles, and I laugh.
"Yes, you really know how to love me, Hunt."
Chapter 43
Because I love You
Istand in front of my locker putting my books inside. This whole day has been awful, I forgot most of my books at home because Hunter took so damn long getting out of bed and it stressed me out. We were late for school and it's been raining the whole day. So, now, I’m soaked after football practice and freezing my ass off. I’m blaming Hunter and September. My whole body is shaking, and I can't change before I get home, because all my clothes are wet. I’m wearing my practice clothes right now, T-shirt and shorts, completely soaked. I slam the locker closed, lean my head on it and sigh. Thank God, I can go home as soon Hunt shows up. I’m going to kick her ass when she does and thank God, it’s Friday. Just then I feel an arm around my stomach.
"I'm sorry." I hear Hunt whisper.
"I’m cold and wet," I tell her upset and she kisses my shoulder.
"I know, that’s why I bought you this." She reaches out her hand with a cup.
"I know you love hot chocolate." She says, and I can't help but turn around and smile at her. Then I kiss her cheek and take the cup in both hands, feeling the warmth on my skin. Hunt has a cute embarrassed smile on her face. I taste the warm chocolate and feel it go through my body.
"I’m really sorry about this morning." She says with apologetic eyes, making me surrender as usual.
"Goddammit Hunter, I’m supposed to be angry at you," I say irritated. She bites her inner cheeks.
"I'm sorry." She says again so softly it made my heart ache. I put my arms around her neck, she’s so warm.
"You’re still going to sleep on the floor tonight." I joke and kiss her temple.
"As long I can sleep in the same room with you, I'll be fine." She says sadly. I hold her tighter.
"No, goddammit, Hunter. You need to stop feeling bad, I was just kidding." I tell her. She can be very gullible at times.
"Okay." She answers, but it’s not convincing.
"Hunter, its fine," I promise her.
"No, it's not. You’re freaking cold." She chuckles, and I laugh. I let her go and see a beautiful smile on her face. She puts her bag on the floor and takes off her jacket.
"No, Hunt" I argue. She shakes her head.
"I’m not letting you go without one." She says, handing it over to me and takes the cup out of my hand.
"Fine." I sigh but can't keep the smile off my face as I put it on, the smell of her lingers. I think I should wear her clothes more often, she smells so good. She hands me the cup again and I take it into my cold, shaking hands. Hunt grabs both our bags and we start walking out to the car. Goddammit, why does she have to be so cute and gentle? That’s why you love her, stupid head.
✽ ✽ ✽
I park the car in the driveway behind dad's car.
"I’m going to take a warm shower when I get in," I tell her. Hunter looks at me with a smile.
"Okay." She answers, and I look at her amazed.
"You’re not gonna ask?" She looks at me confused.
"Ask what?" She wonders. I roll my eyes.
"If you want to join," I say, and her eyes widen.
"Oh, I thought I was already invited." She says. Making me burst out in laughter and facepalm myself.
"Well, now you aren’t." I chuckle.
"Okay." She answers with a grin.
"You’re teasing me right now," I say annoyed. She nods with the same smile.
"You’re coming with me, right?" I ask confused. She shakes her head.
"You said no." She tells me, grinning. Now, she’s just trying to annoy me. She steps out into the rain and grabs the bags from the back seat and gives me that teasing smile again. I get out of the car as well and follow her in.
"Hunter," I say, irritated as we get in. She walks through the living room, passing mom and dad who look confused. I run up the stairs and into our room.
"Hunter." I take off her jacket and throw it at her, angry. She catches it and still has that grin on her face. She sits down on the bed.
"Why do you have to be so annoying sometimes?" I ask irritated.
"Because I love you." She answers. I roll my eyes and shake my head.
"No," I point at her.
"You’re not using that as an excuse." She’s now managed to ignite all my flames. I’m angry, cold, soaked and she’s not making it any better.
"Why are you so angry?" She asks. I clench my teeth. To be honest, I don’t know why I’m so upset. I start to scratch my neck out of frustration; I guess I’ve just had an awful day. She was nice to me and now she’s just kidding with me. I usually don’t get this angry when she teases. I bite my inner cheek.
"I'm sorry," I say, feeling awful. Hunter looks confused but moves to me and takes my hands in hers.
"God, you’re cold." She sounds worried now. Then she kisses my hands and drags me into the bathroom, turning the shower on. I watch her take off my wet clothes. First my shirt and bra, her eyes are filled with worry and I don’t know why. Hunt puts her warm hands on my waist, touching my cold skin and she kisses my forehead.
"I’m going to take a shower with you because it looks like you’re about to pass out." I look at her confused.
"What?" I ask, and she kisses my cheek.
"You’re cold as a corpse, but your forehead is on fire." She pulls off the rest of my clothes.
"I'm fine," I say, and she takes off her own clothes.
"No, you’re grumpy as hell." She chuckles and drags me into the shower. I shrink at the heat on my cold body. Hunt wraps her warm arms around me. I do the same to her and she starts making circles on my back. It feels so good I bury my face in her neck and close my eyes almost drifting to sleep.
"I'm sorry for being so angry," I tell her, and I feel her lips on my shoulder.
"You’re not angry, you’re ill." She mumbles on my skin. My body is finally warm again thanks to Hunt.
"No, I'm not." She moves back to look at me.
"Yes, you are, Sky. You can barely keep your eyes open, you’re grumpy, and your forehead is warm." She explains. I shake my head, arguing.
"I'm fine," I promise her.
"Then explain to me why you can barely stand on your own feet." She raises her eyebrows as if she knows I can’t answer without lying. Okay, fine, I do feel awful. My head is heavy, I’m so tired, my legs are weak, and I’m not sure how long I can stand here with her.
"I thought so." She says and dries the water from my face.
"We should get you to bed before you collapse." I just nod.
✽ ✽ ✽
I lay down in the soft bed and Hunter pulls the duvet over me. I grab her wrist.
"Stay with me?" I beg. I don't want to be alone.
"I’m not sure if I should, we’ve been up here for a long while. Your parents might start wondering what we’re doing and come up to check on us." She says and brushes the hair away from my face, my head is aching now.
"I’m going down to talk with your parents as if everything’s okay," she snorts.
"Then I’ll come back up with a glass of water, okay?" I close my eyes and nod. I’ll probably be fast asleep before she gets back.
Chapter 44
You’ll notice if we fall down the Stairs
Iopen my heavy eyes, finding myself buried in Hunt's chest. The room is pitch black; I must have been sleeping for hours and missed dinner. I hope it wasn't anything good, I hate when that happens. Hunter’s always adorable when she’s sleeping; I love the sound of her breathing and the way she moves. I kiss her cheek and move out of her embrace.
"Sky?" I hear Hunt whisper, with her sleepy voice. There’s nothing like hearing that.
"Yeah?" I say and sit up in the bed.
"You okay?" She asks, worried, but still passed out.
"Yeah, just hungry," I say.
"I’ll go down and get you something." She’s so cute. I shake my head even though she can't see it.
"No, I'll do it, you’ve done enough." Then I feel her hand on my thigh.
"I'll do anything for you." She strikes again, with her words.
"No, Hunt. You don't have to all the time." I say and kiss her cheek.
"Then I'll come with you." She sounds so tired. I take her hand in mine.
"No, you should sleep, Hunt," I say and crawl out of the bed.
"I’m not tired, I'll follow you." She argues, and I chuckle.
"I'll come back," I promise her, but before I could even take my first step, she’s out of the bed.
"I'm coming." She says and takes my hand. I shake my head and start walking into the hallway; I look back at Hunt, who’s walking with her eyes closed. She looks so adorable. I stop and turn, she crashes into me.
"I'm sorry." She sounds half-dead and her eyes are still closed. I can't understand why she needs to come.
"Hunt, you should go back to bed." She shakes her head and opens her eyes a little bit. I can barely see her blues.
"I’m fine, come on." She says and puts her arms around me. Hunt starts walking with me backwards.
"Hunt, I can't see where we’re going."
"I can." She says.
"I’m not sure if I trust your eyes right now," I tell, and she chuckles.
"You’ll notice if we fall down the stairs." She says kissing my cheek.
"I don't really want to notice that," I tell her, and she snorts. She lets me go and we make our way down to the kitchen. I open the fridge and find pizza. I look at Hunt.
"Why didn't you wake me for dinner?" I sigh. I love pizza.
"I tried to, but you were dead." I snort and put a slice of it in the microwave. Hunt steps behind me and put her arms around me. She leans her forehead on my back.
"Don't you fall asleep on me." I chuckle as she kisses me on the back.
"I love laying on you." She says, and I take out the pizza.
"I can't eat if you don't let me go." She doesn't answer.
"Hunt!" I say loudly, and she moves back.
"Yeah, what?" She sounds so distant but more awake. I think she drifted away for a second. I turn to look at her.
"Go to bed, Hunter," I say and walk into the dining room. She follows, and we sit down across from each other.
"No, I'm fine." She says and buries her face in her arms on the table. I start eating while looking at Hunt. She’s as gone as she can be. God, she can be so stubborn sometimes. I finish the last bite and move over to her.
"Hunt." She’s fallen asleep on the table. Dammit, she can be so adorable.
"Hunter, come on," I say and shake her.
"Hmm?" She mumbles in her arms.
"We’re going to sleep," I tell her and drag her up from the chair.
"I’m already sleeping." She answers with closed eyes.
"I know, but you can't stand and sleep," I say, and she wraps her arms around me.
"Now I can." She chuckles.
"Come on," I say and drag her with me up to our room. She falls face first on the bed, making me laugh. I move her further in and lay beside her, pulling the duvet over both of us. She turns around and buries her face in my chest.
"I love you so much." She mumbles to me. Why does she have to be so super cute when she’s tired?
"I love you too." I wrap my arm around her and kiss her on the top of her head. God, I’m never going to tire of this. I start stroking her hair, she moves her arm around me and presses her cheek closer to me.
"I like that." She whispers, and I close my eyes.
"I know," I say and yawn.
"Goodnight, Sky." She mumbles.
"Goodnight, Hunti."
Chapter 45
She is not Broken
"Ithink I’m gonna die," I tell myself. I’m home alone; mom and dad are at work. Dad had to drive Hunt to school. I’ve been watching TV the whole day, wrapped in a blanket. Everything on my body aches; my head, my throat, I can't even walk to the bathroom without feeling exhausted. I’ve been ill for days and poor Hunt. I keep her awake at night with my coughing. I told her to sleep in her own bed, but she refused. That doesn't really surprise me with her stubbornness. She’s done so much for me, bringing me stuff, and going to the store with mom to pick out the things I need. Every time I see her coming through the door, it makes me so happy.
I’m so goddamn hungry, but I just can't get off the couch. Breakfast really wasn't my best friend. I’m too lazy to make anything, and my throat hurts too much to eat anyway. I close my eyes, but seconds later the door opens. My gaze finds Hunt with a sly smile on her face and a bag in her hand.
"What?" I ask weakly and clear my throat. Goddammit, I’m so sick of being sick. Behind her comes my dad.
"Hi, sweetheart. How are you?" He asks, concerned.
"I don't know, sometimes I’m warm and then I’m cold, it's confusing," I answer.
"Guess you’re cold now?" Hunt asks, and I nod.
"Well, you’re lucky, Hunter picked hot chocolate and ice cream for you today." If it wasn't for dad being here and that I feel like I’m about to die, I’d have jumped up and kissed her. She takes out a cup, sits next to me, then hands it over and I take it into my cold hands. Dad steps into the kitchen with the rest of the stuff. I grab Hunt's hoodie and drag her to me, kissing her cheek.
"Thank you," I tell her, and she smiles embarrassedly. I take a sip, God it tastes so good.
Hunt moves further and further down into the couch. I turn to look at her and she has her eyes closed. Hunt deserves to sleep. She must be exhausted after just five hours of sleep last night. She falls against my arm, completely gone. I kiss her on the head before dad comes back in.
"What happened to her?" He asks and sits next to me.
"Sleepless night, I guess." I shrug and take a big sip of my hot chocolate. He takes the remote and changes the channel. I don’t really care what I’m watching; I’m satisfied now that Hunt’s here.
"When does mom come home?" I ask dad.
"She’ll be late; she had to take an extra shift." He says looking for something to watch.
"Okay," I answer. Hunter shifts and her arms come around over my stomach. Dad laughs, but I can't keep the smile on my face away. She knows how to seek me out.
"She really likes you." He chuckles.
"The first time I met her, she was ... frightened." I look up to dad, who looks at Hunt and me.
"I remember the look in her eyes, so wide, guarded and scared. She always had that scared look in her eyes when I saw her. But you," He says and put his hand on my head and I chuckle.
"You took that look in her eyes right away." He says, and I can't help but smile. He moves his hand away from my head and Hunt slides down into my lap. Dad shakes his head and laughs again.
"I don’t know what you’ve done to her; she wouldn't even shake my hand when I introduced myself. Now, she’s literally clinging to you." He says amazed.
"Was she really that bad?" I ask and notice I’m playing with her hair, so I stop.
"She was a scared kid, lived on the streets for a while before she got picked up. The school was the one who notified us, she was gone for a couple of weeks. They called the parents, but they didn’t pick up the phone. She was almost half dead when we found her, clothes ripped and dirty." I start playing with her hair again; I don’t care if dad notices. Hunt didn't tell me this part of her story.
"She was cold and starving. I’ve never had someone as broken as she was."
"She’s not broken," I say without thinking and a tear falls down my cheek. I don’t like when people say that, especially Hunt. It hurts because it’s not true, she’s perfect.
"I'm sorry," I tell him, I didn't mean to sound angry.
"No, it's okay. That’s how you should look at her, how we all should see her. If we look at her as broken, she’ll start believing it too. You, Skylar, treated her the way she needed. I don’t know what you did to bring her back to life but thank you. I tried to get her out of her shell for three years and I couldn't do it. You only needed a month, I’m... fascinated." He looks at me amazed, not understanding what I did to make her open. I can't really tell him I love her, can I? I tell her every day and how much she means to me. I love her so much it hurts every time she walks out the door without me or when we split up at school. But goddamn my heart races when I see her and sets my whole body on fire when she touches me. I love she wants to do so much for me, even though it caused her to sleepwalk with me last Friday. My eyes drift down to my sleeping beauty, my hands still playing with her hair.
"What did you do?" He asks, wondering. I look at him and feel the battle in my head. I swallow hard and open my mouth but close it again. Then I feel the tears falling down my cheeks.
"Skylar?" He says my name worriedly. I look back down at Hunt, the girl who stole my heart in every way she possibly could. Maybe it’s because I’m ill that I’m so emotional right now, or I’m so tired of not being around her the way I need. My eyes drift back to dad; he looks very concerned, but patient.
"I-I..." I stop, look down at Hunt and take a deep breath.
"I-I didn't mean to," I say and look back at him. He looks more confused. I wipe the tears from my cheeks away.
"What honey?" He asks. I push the hair away from Hunt's face and stroke her cheek.
"That feels nice." I hear her whisper weakly; I smile so brightly the tears in my eyes flow down my cheeks. I turn to look at dad again, who looks thoughtful.
