The Twenty Year Triangle

Chapter Twenty One

"Did the rain totally stop?" I ask as I get up and walk out to the back porch and Hunter follows me.

Sure enough, it's barely drizzling, but the entire field lights up with lightning from a distance.

"Stopped for now, but my phone says another system is coming in soon," Hunter says from behind me.

"It's so pretty when it lights up the whole sky like that," I mumble as I watch the sky light up and then go dark again. I stumble on my feet and fall back against his broad chest. He wraps his arms around me, and I sink into his embrace.

"Someone's a little buzzed up," he teases, his lip close to my ear, giving me goosebumps on my neck. "Did you eat anything, Darlin?"

"Cheesecake."

"I think Brandi ate most of that," he says. "Let's make sure you eat some pizza when we get inside, okay?"

"Okay," I agree with no effort to move; he's a comfy cuddler. His big size makes me feel so safe and secure.

"You doing alright?" He asks, and I know he ain't talking about my drunken level or Julian having been here earlier.

"So far... I'm okay; it's good to see him again. But it's all been really polite," I turn to face him, and his cobalt gaze washes over my face. A crack of thunder reminds me the storm is still simmering, and that ain't the only one. "We have a lot to talk about, and I don't think either of us will be so alright once we finally do."

Hunter closes his eyes and lets out a long breath, then nods as he opens them. "I know y'all have a lot to talk about, but Darlin, so do we."

"I know," the words come out as a trembling whisper, and he instantly clasps my hands.

"Hey, don't do that," he says quietly, leaning in slightly.

"Do what?"

"Get scared like that-"

I part my lips to deny this, but he puts a finger there and says, "Shh, I know you, Kinz. I see the fear in those beautiful eyes of yours, but you don't have a thing to worry about, okay?"

Yes, I do because I can't lose you, and I'm so confused, I don't say it. But I know he knows what I'm thinking as he pulls me closer. His steadfast gaze holds us both in place even as the wind picks up and starts to howl.

"I mean it. You got me forever. I'd never walk away from us even if all we ever are, is what we are."

"I've heard that before, though, Hunter and-"

"Not from me," he cuts me off. "You could break my heart seven ways from Sunday, and I'd still be right there by your side. I'm not the guy that leaves, Kinz, and you know that."

Another loud clap of thunder nearly makes me jump, it sounds so close, and then everything goes dark.

"We lost power!" I hear Brandi yell from inside.

"Come on," Hunter uses his cell flashlight to guide us back inside.

Oliver moves away from the door quickly as we step back inside.

Shit, was he? Did he hear all that?

"Found these," Brandi holds up a brightly colored package from a drawer; she's also using her cell phone for light.

"Brandi, those are birthday candles. What are we gonna do quickly bake a cake?" I laugh and grab Hunter's phone so I can help her.

The shutters start banging hard and fast against the house, and the rain is pelting down harder than ever. Daisy comes running through the kitchen to the basement steps and runs down.