The Hastings Series

by Vanessa Siena

  About fifteen minutes later, Hunter walked into the diner, walking up to me the second he found me sitting in the booth in the back. He sat down, looking at my face like he was searching for something, then took down his hood to reveal his full head of hair. I liked his hair. It was slightly curled at the ends and the color made his eyes pop even more.

  “Did you order already?” he asked. I nodded, pointing to Bliss, who was already coming our way with the food. That was quick.

  “Ribs and wedges,” she said, placing the plates in front of us. “Enjoy. And we do have a good phone connection in here to make a call. You could’ve at least sat here with her so she wouldn’t have been alone.”

  My mouth opened, surprised by Bliss’s comment. I looked over at Hunter, hoping he wouldn’t snap at her and get mad just like he did with me when I was being so forward with my thoughts.

  Much to my surprise, he grinned. “One reason I shouldn’t have come here is because of your unfiltered mouth.” They both started laughing and I was confused.

  What the hell is going on?

  I tried to understand what was happening, and then Bliss said: “Good to see you too, little brother.” Then she was gone again.

  Little brother?

  My eyes traveled from Bliss to Hunter, who had an amused grin on his face. “Surprised?” he asked, taking a sip of his drink.

  “Yes,” I admitted. “Wait, how old is she? She looks so young.”

  “Twenty-eight.”

  “And you are…”

  “Twenty-six. Now eat. You gotta get home soon.”

  Oh. God, I just made a fool out of myself.

  Chapter Ten

  Harlow

  We were eating in silence and I couldn’t stop watching Hunter. His every move fascinated me and I was trying to find a similarity between him and his sister. They didn’t have the same eyes and their noses were also not shaped the same. Hunter’s nose was straight. His sister’s had a small bump, but it still looked pretty. Hunter’s lips were full, whereas Bliss’s were slightly thinner.

  “Are you done?” he asked, raising an eyebrow and leaning back.

  “What?” I looked back up from his lips into his eyes.

  “Are you done staring at my lips? Sad that you didn’t get a taste of them?” Now he was amused. It always surprised me how fast his mood changed.

  “No,” I said frowning. “I was just thinking…how come you and Bliss don’t look anything alike?”

  “You still surprised that I have a sister?” He grinned, taking a rib and biting into it.

  I nodded. “You never talked about her. Never mentioned her.”

  “Why would I? Not anyone’s business who my sister is.”

  True. “She’s nice. I like her.”

  Hunter just nodded and kept on eating. When both our plates were empty, he got up, pulled out his wallet, and put down some cash. “Let’s go. It’s late.”

  I wiped my hands on the tissue and got up too. Bliss walked over to us, smiling at me. “I never got your name, sweetie.”

  “Oh. I’m Harlow.” I smiled back at her, then looked up at Hunter, who was already holding a cigarette between his fingers.

  “Come on.” God, why was he so pushy all the time?

  “You should come here more often, Hun. It’s not forbidden to visit a sister at work.” Bliss nudged him with her elbow and he rolled his eyes. I smiled at Bliss calling him Hun. It just sounded wrong.

  “I don’t have time to come here every week, Bliss.” He looked over at me and nodded toward the exit. “I’m not gonna repeat myself. Go.”

  I sighed, gave Bliss a small wave, and then walked toward the door. I didn’t know why I listened to what he commanded me to do, but I guess I just didn’t want to start a fight again. My mind was tired and my body needed some well-deserved sleep.

  Walking to his car, I crossed my arms, looking back to the diner where I saw Hunter and Bliss still standing at the booth we just ate. They were arguing about something. Hunter looked annoyed with his sister and Bliss was furiously waving her hands around and pointing at Hunter multiple times.

  What could they possibly be arguing about? Me? No. Why would they argue about me? I barely know Hunter, and Bliss I just got to know tonight. Probably some family issues.

  Minutes later, Hunter walked out of the diner. “Is everything okay?”

  “Get the fuck in,” he shouted, his face angry.

  Wow. “What the hell are you shouting at me for?” I couldn’t help it. I was tired of him taking his bad mood out on me. But as I found out quickly enough, that wasn’t a good idea.

  Hunter’s hand grabbed the back of my head, twisting my hair around his fingers and gripping tightly. My skull hurt instantly and I couldn’t help but let out a small cry.

  His eyes were burning with sudden rage and the veins on his neck stood out. “How many more times do I have to tell you not to fucking talk back to me? I said to get in the fucking car.”

  My eyes were tearing up and my heart was racing. I was scared of him, remembering the last time a man hurt me like that. I shut my eyes tightly, hoping for him to let me go.

  If someone hurts you, hurt them back. Jagger’s voice echoed in my mind, but I couldn’t move. The sharp pain coming from the back of my head burned right through my body.

  “Please, stop,” I croaked out and felt tears run down my cheeks. I was silently begging him to let go, but it wasn’t until I heard Bliss’s voice breaking this awful silence that Hunter let go of me, taking some steps back and running both of his hands through his hair.

  “Damn it, Hunter! She’s just a kid.” Bliss’s arms came around me and I let her hold me. I was shocked by his behavior. “Go home,” she then said, stroking my hair. I lifted my head, trying to figure out if she was talking to me or him. “I will take her home. Go, Hunter.”

  Relieved that she was sending her brother off, I watched Hunter kick the back of his car and then walk over to the driver’s seat and get in, muttering curses I didn’t quite understand.

  As soon as he took off, I hiccupped, letting some more tears stream down my face. “He’s difficult. Come on, I’ll get you home.” I just nodded. I decided not to bother with thoughts of Hunter for now. My head was hurting and I was crying again. I was a mess.

  Before Hunter came into my life, I was doing good. I didn’t think of the past, about my father, or Jagger fighting for both of us. I was getting better. Happier.

  Getting into Bliss’s car, I quickly buckled up and took a deep breath. Thoughts of regret ran through me. Why did I ever trust him? Why did I get into his car in the first place, and why did I care so much?

  Would I tell Jagger about what he did to me? But then if I did, Hunter had no reason to keep quiet and not tell Jagger about today. Me sitting on the hood of his car while he touched and kissed me. And me liking it was controversial if I would tell Jagger what Hunter did to me just now. I was in deep shit.

  “He’s not worth crying over, sweetie. He’s been this way all of his life. Well, since the first day of living in an orphanage, at least.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Harlow

  Surprised by Bliss’s words, I looked over at her. Her hands were on the steering wheel, her knuckles all white from gripping it tightly.

  “He was an orphan?” My tears dried on my cheeks and my eyes still slightly burned from crying. Hunter shocked me with his violence. I was trying so hard to understand what I said wrong just before he got so mad at me and pulled my hair so tight I thought it would fall out.

  “Yes.” She sighed, shaking her head. “But that’s not really something I should talk about. It’s his story.”

  “But you’re his sister,” I pointed out. She laughed.

  “Yes, but not biologically.” She looked over at me and her expression told me just how much she wished she didn’t just tell me that.

  “God, I should shut up once in a while,” she said under her breath.

  “So, you two got adopted into
the same family?” I asked. I was interested in finding out more about Hunter and his past. Something must have gone terribly wrong in his childhood that made him turn out the way he was today. No man has hate and rage in him from just being…a man, right?

  But I could be wrong. I’ve never learned much about my father to explain why he was such a bad person. What got into his head that made it okay to hit his children. It was all a mystery to me.

  “Yes. But that’s all I will talk about. You know enough already. And I know Hunter won’t appreciate me telling you all of this. So, please…” She looked over at me with a pleading look in her eyes. “Don’t tell him you know about him being an orphan, okay? He hates to talk about it and it will get ugly real quick.”

  I just nodded. Okay, Hunter was an orphan. I could let it go now. And I wasn’t so sure he would ever come back to see me after what he did to me. I mean, would he ever have that little empathy to just push the bad things he did to a person aside and act like everything is fine?

  We arrived home and I quickly unbuckled before opening the door. “Thank you for driving me, Bliss. And I’m sorry for taking your time.” I got out and bent down to look at her again.

  “Don’t worry, sweetie. Take care, yeah?” And with that, I closed the door and turned around, running off toward the front door and opening it as soon as I reached it.

  I couldn’t help letting a sob escape. Something in me wanted to get out and I didn’t even know I was still holding something in. Feelings came crashing over me like waves and I felt my heart beating loud in my chest.

  But the moment I heard footsteps coming from down the hall I held my breath, wanting to calm down instantly and not make a scene.

  Jagger walked around the corner, looking all sleepy. He tried to smile but I could tell he was struggling to even keep his eyes open. It was only almost midnight.

  “You’re back,” he said quietly. I nodded, smiling at him and taking off my jacket. “I’m sorry I woke you.”

  He waved once, letting me know it was okay. “I wasn’t asleep, just really tired. Did you eat?” he asked and I nodded again. “Yes. I had something back at the diner. I’m sorry I’m later than usual.”

  “S’okay. Hunter just texted me that he got you here.”

  Wait, what?

  He yawned and pointed back to his room before turning his back to me. “Go sleep, Low.” And with that, he was gone.

  Hunter texted him that he got me here? Just now? How would Hunter know when I got home when Bliss was the one driving me here?

  Confused, I walked over to the living room window and pulled the curtain aside to look outside. It was dark, but not even five seconds later headlights of a car shone through the darkness and I recognized Hunter’s car on the other side of the street.

  He was here, watching me.

  I stood still, wondering if he could see me.

  What was he doing? Stalking me after assaulting me? That guy needs serious help, I thought.

  Waiting for him to drive off, I crossed my arms over my chest, hoping he would see my angry expression. I can’t remember how long I stood there, but after some minutes he finally drove off.

  What was that all about? First, he treats me like I’m some sort of object he can shout at and then he sits outside my house in his car, guarding me.

  I needed to avoid him from now on. What was I even thinking? He was rude to me from the beginning. So why would I even try to let him control me?

  Sighing, I walked to my bedroom and took off my uniform. I would use it tomorrow again since I have to take over Adeline’s shift.

  I was lying in bed and staring at the ceiling. It was almost two a.m., and I couldn’t sleep. My thoughts always went back to Hunter the moment I closed my eyes and tried to get some sleep. It was impossible at this point to push him aside. His words and actions last night were too strong for me to just ignore.

  I knew I didn’t do anything wrong. I was being nice, trying to help him by asking if he was okay. But he snapped and got violent.

  Hunter had problems. Big issues. And I wasn’t sure I could handle him. Not sure why I even would want to handle him. But something deep down told me to. I was conflicted.

  I was starting to mess with my own head. And all thanks to Hunter.

  Chapter Twelve

  Harlow

  The next day went by very fast. I pushed all thoughts of Hunter aside and worked my shift at the diner. Another day missing college. I wasn’t sure anymore if I could even keep up with all the courses when I was working so much. I knew my education was very important. I wanted to go places when I graduated, but right now, I wanted to make sure I could help out Jagger with all the bills and food.

  Asking Frankie for more money was out of the question. I got enough tips from those weird men. And I didn’t want to risk him kicking me out. I liked working at the diner, despite all the comments I got from men triple my age.

  It was late already, almost one a.m. and I was tired. I started at nine this morning and had to take over Adeline’s shift once again. She said she had to go to an important party. Some guy from college celebrated his birthday at the lake and she couldn’t miss it. If I attended classes as much as she did, I might’ve made some friends too. And I could’ve gotten invited to that party too.

  But here I was, standing behind the counter, waiting for the customers to raise their hands for the check. I expected them to stay longer tonight. It was a rainy night, like most nights, and people found comfort in Frankie’s Diner. The music playing lightly in the background and the smell of food in the air made it easy to order one drink after the other and not thinking about going home to sleep.

  Not sure people understood how hard it was to walk and stand all day long, talking to people and being polite all the time to try and not piss off any of the paying customers.

  “Go home, Harlow.” I turned around to see Frankie standing there with a beer in his hand. “I will handle the rest.”

  “Okay.” No need to argue with that. I needed the money, but I knew to tell him that I would wanna work wouldn’t get me anywhere.

  I made my way home in the rain. I never took an umbrella with me when I left the house. I loved the rain. It made me feel alive and I would take a shower at home, anyway.

  Arriving home, I knew Jagger would be asleep. He said he had some things to deal with when I left for work in the morning. He worked at a car repair workshop. He was good at his job since he started out young by fixing his truck. What he did before or after work was none of my business. That’s what he and Hunter always told me.

  I took a quick shower and got into my pajamas. My bed was waiting for me and I was more than happy to crawl into it. I had to go to college at ten in the morning.

  A noise woke me in the middle of the night. I remember feeling annoyed and upset that someone woke me from the peaceful sleep I was having just moments ago. I opened my eyes, looked around my room, and saw a light coming from the hall.

  Jagger must be getting some water to drink. But it was taking him way too long. It sounded like he was looking for something, going through all the cabinets in the kitchen and opening the fridge multiple times and closing it with too much force.

  I didn’t think someone would break into our house. People knew this neighborhood was poor. Not much money was around and if someone was robbing houses in this city, it would be people living here. At least, that’s what I heard multiple times from people in the diner and college.

  I got up and walked out of my bedroom. Surely, Jagger was just looking for some cigarettes or trying to make a sandwich with the little amount of food we had in our fridge. Looking over to his bedroom door, it was open.

  “Jagger?” I asked, walking toward the kitchen only to find Hunter standing there with messy hair and bloodshot eyes. I stood still, carefully watching him. His eyes were on mine and I could tell he was drunk.

  “What are you doing here.” It wasn’t really a question. I suddenly remembered how bad he treate
d me a night ago. How aggressive and rude he was.

  He didn’t answer. Instead, he turned around and kept looking for whatever it was he needed so bad.

  I crossed my arms. “Hunter. What are you doing here?” I repeated. “Where is Jagger?”

  “Out.” Oh, so questions about Jagger he was gladly answering.

  “Why are you here?” I stayed calm. He kept on digging around, opening and closing the cabinets and drawers.

  “Hunter—”

  “So you can forgive me,” he interrupted.

  Just seconds later I laughed. He couldn’t be serious, right? “Excuse me?”

  He turned around, his eyes staring into mine and his chest rising and falling faster than usual. “You have to accept my apology.”

  I narrowed my brows. “What apology? You never said sorry.”

  “Yes, I did,” he insisted.

  Was he kidding me? “No, you did not.”

  “Yes, I did. Now, say you will forgive me.”

  “You’re drunk, Hunter.”

  He shrugged. “I still mean it.”

  “Mean what? Jesus, Hunter.” I put my hand on my forehead, rubbing it. I was going to get a headache from this. He was drunk, not making any sense.

  “You’re drunk. You need to get some sleep.” He shook his head and took a step closer. I stood still. I wasn’t scared of him. But I did have some respect. I knew how violent and harsh he could get when he was sober. I didn’t want to find out what he was like when he was drunk.

  “Let me stay with you.” He slurred his words, taking some more steps toward me. I couldn’t find words. Why would I let him stay with me? To see how badly he would treat me while drunk?

  “You can sleep on the couch.”

  He almost looked hurt when I said that. “No. I want to sleep in your bed. With you.”

  My head and heart were pounding. Why did he have to be like this? Why couldn’t he just keep his distance instead of always showing up?