Page 85 of Hot Shot
Before I can answer, I hear my phone ding with a text message, and assuming it’s my aunt since I haven’t been home much lately, I go back into the bedroom and grab it off Hunter’s dresser. I sigh when I see it’s EJ.
EJ:Hey Mads. We’re playing the Storm in a few weeks. Can we have dinner?
I don’t have any illusions that we’ll be able to go back to the way things were after what went down, but maybe it’s time to have a conversation with him and get closure, if only so he stops texting me.
Me:Okay. When and where?
EJ:Wednesday night at 6:30? There’s this steakhouse, Marks, that I’ve heard is good.
Me:Sounds good.
EJ:Thanks, Mads.
“Everything alright?” Hunter asks from behind me.
“Fine.” I set my phone on the nightstand, turning to face Hunter before saying, “That was EJ. He wants to have dinner in a few weeks. He’ll be in town.” I pause, waiting for a response, and when none comes, I add. “I agreed.”
Hunter studies me for a minute. “Want me to come with you?”
“I—No.” That’s the last thing I want.
“You don’t have to do this alone, you know, Madison. You don’t have to face him by yourself.” Hunter sits on the edge of the bed watching me.
I rear back. “What do you think he’s going to do? It’s only dinner.”
“He was an asshole to you.”
“I’m well aware,” I bite out.
Hunter pulls on the back of his neck studying me. Is he jealous? With a sigh he finally says, “okay, but if you change your mind I’ll be there.”
Before I can say anything else, my phone dings again. I grab it and see both my aunt and my dad have texted me.
Judy:Happy New Year, Dearie.
Jake:Happy New Year. I’m sorry we haven’t gotten to see each other.
“Someone’s popular today,” he says, nodding toward my phone.
“Yeah. Judy and my dad.” I lock my phone and set it back on the dresser.
“When am I going to meet him?”
“I-I—” Shit, are we really doing this today?
“Are you hiding me from him? Do you not want me to meet him?”
“I’m not hiding you. You’ve met my aunt, haven’t you?” Shit. Fuck. Hell. I knew this day would come. I just hoped it wouldn’t come this quickly.
“Then what is it?” Hunter asks staring at me.
I sigh, wringing my hands and staring down at the floor. How do I tell him that his coach is my father? It’s probably as simple as that, but it doesn’t feel simple. It feels messy and complicated.
But if you two are going to be serious, doesn’t he deserve to know?The voice in the back of my head asks, but I tell her to shut the hell up.
“Hey. What is it?” Hunter reaches out and tugs me to him, wrapping his arms around me. I sink into his embrace.
“I’m sorry.” I take a couple of deep breaths and on an exhale say, “I want you to meet him. Our relationship is new and complicated.” I pick up my head from Hunter’s chest. “I promise I’ll introduce you soon.”
