Page 24 of Now and Then

“Any of them true?”

I release a deep breath and lay my head back against the headrest. “Sutton is complicated.”

“Never pegged you as the chicken-shit type.”

I sit up and turn to him. “What is that supposed to mean?”

“Hunter,” he says, sipping his coffee, “I’ve known you and looked up to you for years. You’ve always gone after what you wanted. You’ve never played it scared before except when it comes to Sutton. You two fight like cats and dogs, but then look at each other like you can’t breathe without the other. When are you going to go after the woman?”

“Sutton hasn’t dated or been in a relationship for six years.”

“Why do you think that is?”

She’s afraid of her life falling apart again if she lets her heart have what it wants. She’s afraid of being hurt.

“Look, Hunter,” Chris says, “it’s clear as day to anyone in this town that you’re in love with her, but can you please, for the love of god, make your move already? Because you’re holding up the line.”

I laugh. “What do you mean?”

“There are plenty of men who would love to ask Sutton on a date, me included, but we respect you and we know how you feel about her, even if you refuse to do anything about it.”

“Don’t even think about asking her out,” I say. “And I am trying to do something about it.” We might have made progress in Colorado, but whatever door she opened that night to allow herself to be with me has been closed and locked again, no matter how loudly I knock. Sharing a bed together last week gives me hope, but it still feels like three steps forward and two steps back.

“Did you know she joined a dating site?” Chris’s voice lilts up, goading me on.

My stomach drops. I shake my head, trying to contain the rush of surprise that tightens across my chest.

“Yep, saw her profile pop up the other day. Seems maybe she’s finally ready to date again.”

I try not to get worked up, but this information stings. With everything that’s happened in Sutton’s past, she’s kept her heart locked up tight. She hasn’t talked about dating or even put out the vibe that she was considering it. It’s selfish, but I thought when Sutton was ready to give her heart to someone, it would be to me.

“I’m telling you, Hunter. It’s now or never. You’ve got to tell her what you want.”

I put the car into reverse and back out of the lot. Sutton and I both know there’s something between us. She has to. She likes to remind me all the time, We can’t do this. And I get it. She’s scared of losing our friendship, scared of falling and having no one there to catch her.

But I will.

5

Hunter

Out of all the emotions in the human psyche, jealousy might be my least favorite.

“You okay over there, man?” Adam asks from across the table. “You look like someone shit in your Cheerios.”

I blink and look up from my phone. “Yeah, I’m good.”

He rolls his eyes, so I kick his chair leg, refusing to be dragged into a confessional.

Ever since yesterday, I haven’t been able to focus on much except Sutton’s stupid dating profile. My phone feels like a ten-pound brick in my pocket. I almost caved to my curiosity and downloaded the app but realized stalking doesn’t look good on anyone.

Betty’s Diner is pretty quiet this morning. The approaching storm making the weather colder seems to be keeping folks indoors. Chris is getting his yearly physical completed at the clinic next door, which worked out great to meet the guys for breakfast.

Luke clears his throat, and my gut tells me he’s about to grill me whether I like it or not.

“What?” I stare at him over the rim of my mug.

His eyes narrow. “My guess is your ray of sunshine attitude might have something to do with a certain sister of mine?”