Kate stifled a snarled response and sheathed her claws. Fighting with this woman would get her nowhere.
Talia pointed to another structure next to the center. “You might want to spend some time in there. This museum is rich with the stories of my ancestors and Hunter’s and their ways.”
Of which Kate knew nothing.
Talia’s unspoken words hung in the air as the woman sauntered off.
* * * *
Hunter put his foot to the floorboard and raced down the freeway toward freedom. Kate sat next to him, her gaze glued to the landscape, which sped by at an alarming rate.
He needed to get away from Kate and think. She didn’t seem to want to spend much time with him either, which suited him just fine.
The trip back had been tense and uncomfortable. Unspoken words hovered between them. And still he didn’t mention his encounter with Talia. Yet he was certain Kate knew, just as he was certain he didn’t yet have the answers she needed.
He pulled into the driveway of his California rental and turned off the ignition. Kate had left her car there, and he crossed his fingers she wouldn’t linger. He needed time alone to sort out his feelings.
“Well, we’re here.” He pried his fingers off the steering wheel and shot a false smile in her direction.
She frowned at him. “Thank you for introducing me to your family. I enjoyed them.”
“They liked you, too.” He spoke the truth. They did like Kate. He was the one who had the issue with her background, not them.
“But I don’t fit in,” Kate whispered almost to herself, finishing his thoughts.
Hunter should’ve disputed her statement, but he couldn’t find the words. He felt like an ass, and he probably was an ass. “It’s a different environment than you’re accustomed to.”
Kate nodded, and tears filled her eyes. He turned his face away from hers, not able to stand seeing her cry. He got out and pulled her luggage from the backseat. The woman packed more for a few days than he did for a month.
“I need to come in to get my keys.”
He nodded tersely and put the key in the lock, leaving her suitcases next to her car. The house was quiet, as if no one was there. Yet Cam’s car had been parked on the street.
Hunter called for his sister with no answer. Alarm raced through him. Had something happened to Lilli? Where was Cam? He turned to Kate and saw the horror on her face. She knew something.
Instantly, in a rush of clairvoyance, he knew, too.
“Where the fuck is that bastard?” he growled through gritted teeth.
Kate grabbed his arm. “Hunter, calm down.” She tried to stop him as if she knew something he didn’t. Then it hit him. She did know. Hell, everyone knew but him. He shot a look that would’ve shredded a normal woman. Kate stood tall and glared right back at him.
Hunter stalked down the hall to Lilli’s bedroom and threw open the door. His heart pounded in his chest. What he saw boiled his blood and sent him into a rage like he’d never felt in his life. Cam was pulling on his shorts, while Lilli was bundled up in the sheets.
He grabbed Cam and threw him against the wall. Lilli’s cries barely penetrated his brain. He went after Cam and slammed his fist into Cam’s gut. Cam doubled over. Hunter moved in. His fists pummeled his friend—former friend—in the stomach. Cam managed to get in a few good licks to Hunter’s jaw.
Lilli and Kate were yelling, but it was as if he were under water and nothing completely sank in. Kate grabbed his arm, and he pushed her away. She leaped back into the fray, throwing herself between Cam and him. He raised a fist to slam it into Cam’s face, only Kate’s face appeared in his sights. His fist came within inches of crushing her cheekbone.
“Fuck.” He backed away, giving Cam the chance he needed to slip away from him and move to a safer distance. Lilli sat on the bed with tears streaming down her cheeks. Her fist was shoved in her mouth as she tried to stifle the flow of tears. Only she couldn’t. Cam braved another assault and ran to Lilli’s side, engulfing her in his arms.
Kate grabbed Hunter’s hands and held them. His knuckles were bruised and cut, but definitely in better shape than Cam’s face. He glared at Kate and lashed out. “You knew about them all along, didn’t you?”
Kate looked away, giving him all the answer he needed.
“How long? How long have you known?”
“A month—or two.”
Hunter didn’t want to see her or his sister or Cam. He wanted out of there. With another murderous look at the traitors, he stomped from the room. “Don’t expect me back tonight.”
Kate ran after him. “Hunter, are you okay?”
He whirled around so quickly she staggered back several steps and almost fell. “I’m leaving. You need to be gone when I get back.” He looked over her shoulder at Cam holding Lilli and rubbing his bruised jaw. Lilli clung to Cam, which caused Hunter’s anger to threaten to boil over again. “You need to be gone when I get back, too.”
Cam nodded, while Lilli stiffened beside him.
Hunter refused to give them any ground. He got in his car and tore down the street, having no fucking clue where he was going.
Several hours and too many beers later, Hunter crawled between the sheets of a bed in a nondescript hotel room and thankfully passed out.
* * * *
Cameron threw his crap into three suitcases. Yeah, he’d packed for the long haul when he’d shown up here. Mostly because he couldn’t stand the thought of spending another day without Lilli. He desperately wished he could talk to someone about what the fuck was happening to him. Someone like Hunter, but that option was out. Maybe Tanner, who’d fallen hard for his wife, Emma, could shed some light on what Cameron was going through.
But Tanner had fallen in love and Cameron was—
What was he?
Was this ache inside for Lilli that never went away what love felt like? Was his need to be around her and put her needs first part of being in love? Was his total disregard for the consequences of a relationship with her another facet of love?
He’d thought all along her disability would be a deterrent to a long-term relationship. Only it hadn’t been. Sure, there were things she couldn’t do, but there were an amazing number of things she could do as well as or better than any sighted person.
He’d become her eyes over the past few months, and she’d become his soul, his conscience. She’d become as much a crucial part of him as the beating of his heart.
Picking up his cell, he told it to call Tanner, who answered on the second ring, sounding out of breath.
“Did I interrupt something?”
“I fucking wish. I’m putting together a new table for Emma.”
Cameron snorted so hard he choked. “You? Mr. Fixit?”
“Hey, I’m pretty damn handy, asshole. Did you call just to shoot the shit or because you missed me?”
“Neither.” Cameron hesitated, not sure how to advance.
“Oh, it’s a woman. She wouldn’t happen to be McCoy’s sister, would she?”
Cameron groaned. He should’ve known Tanner would read him as well as he read defenses on the field. “Yeah. Hunter found out about us and threw me out.”
Tanner loved that. The guy laughed so hard, he probably shit his boxers.
“I should’ve never called a dickhead like you,” Cameron grumbled.
“Okay, sorry.” Tanner’s voice turned serious, somewhat, but it was the best Cameron could hope for.
“How did you know? I mean, with Emma how did you know?”
His question was met with silence.
“You still there?”
“Uh, yeah, I am. If I fucking talk to you about this shit, you’ll keep your mouth shut, right, or I’ll lose my man card and my balls along with it.”
It was Cameron’s turn to laugh. He couldn’t help it.
Tanner sighed. “I knew all along. I just didn’t see it. When she left for Vegas, I swore it was like a part of me had left with her. I thought I’d get
over her, but as time passed, that ache hurt worse than a fucking hole in my chest. I missed everything about her. Not just sex. I missed her smile, her laugh, the way she put me in my place when I was being a dick. I missed just being around her, even if all we were doing was sitting on the couch watching TV.”
“Yeah, I feel like that, too. I can’t bear the thought of leaving Lilli behind.”
“Then don’t. Take her with you.”
Cameron frowned. “I don’t know if she’ll go.”
“Then you have your answer.” Tanner always cut through the shit and broke the most difficult things down into the simplest solutions.
“Yeah, I guess I do. I’ll let you get back to your table.”
“Thanks a lot. Later.” Tanner disconnected the call.
Cameron paced the floor for a few minutes. He was packed and ready to leave, but he didn’t want to leave without Lilli. She was so devoted to her brother, he didn’t know if she’d follow him or not. Turning, he headed for the door. There was one way to find out. Ask her.
He slid open the sliding glass door to find Lilli standing on the other side.
“Lilli?”
She smiled a tentative smile. “Can I come in?”
“Of course.” He wrapped his fingers around her outstretched hand and led her inside.
“Are you packed?”
“Yes.”
“I apologize for my brother. He had no right.”
“No, he didn’t. I understand he loves you and cares about you, but this is your life he’s interfering in. He can’t live your life for you.”
“I know.” She leaned into Cameron and fisted his shirt as if she wasn’t about to let him go. Cameron pulled her into his arms and held her against his body. She rested her cheek against his. They stood like that for a long time.
Cameron couldn’t let her go without a fight. “Come with me.”
She tilted her head, as if she hadn’t heard him correctly. Her lips parted, and he resisted the urge to kiss her. “Why?”
Cameron hesitated. There was only one answer, which would cause Lilli to walk away from her brother. He mulled his response over in his mind. Not sure what he wanted to say.
“Cameron?” She laid her warm palm against his cheek.
Cameron blew out a breath and jumped into the breach. He manned up and did what his heart told him to do. “I love you, Lilli. I fell in love with you at first dance.”
“So did I.” She sighed, a happy sigh, and her luscious lips lifted into a smile. “I love you, too.”
He chuckled. “I’m damn glad. If only one of us felt this way, it’d suck. Leave with me.”
“I’m already packed.” Her admission had him grinning from ear to ear.
“Presumptuous, aren’t you?”
She nodded smugly. “Somewhat.” Her smile dissipated. “Honestly, I was scared to death. I know I can be a burden of responsibility because of my sight—”
“You will never be a burden to me, Lilli. Most of the time I forget you can’t see, and I love being your eyes.”
“I love that, too. Hunter tries, but you’re so much more descriptive. Your words paint pictures in my mind.”
“It’s been my pleasure, and it’ll continue to be my pleasure. Let’s get the fuck out of here.”
“Where are we going?”
“A hotel for now. I’ll find us another place for a temporary rental until we return to Seattle.”
“I don’t expect you to be my keeper, Cam.”
“I don’t expect that, either, but I’d like to keep you captive in my bedroom.”
“I’d like that. A lot.”
“So would I.” He sealed that promise with a kiss.
Cameron loaded their luggage and Charlie in his car, they left Hunter a note, and off they went into the future and into their new life together.
Chapter 22—Warm-Up Race
Kate didn’t hear from Hunter. She expected him to call her to at least talk things out and hopefully apologize for his appalling behavior. Hunter usually approached his problems head-on, but not this problem.
On the third day, she’d texted him: We need to talk.
Her text was met with silence.
She waited, but nothing happened.
She’d been avoiding him at the track.
Not today.
This morning, a week after they’d returned from Washington, she drove to the racetrack and waited in the cool dawn mist for him to appear.
Mitch saw her and frowned. “You aren’t usually up this early.”
“I’m looking for Hunter. Have you seen him?”
Mitch raised a brow but kept to his personal credo of minding his own business. “He should be here in about five minutes.”
“How’s Sid doing?” she asked conversationally.
“He’s fine. Why don’t you stick around and see for yourself?”
“I will.”
A few minutes later Sid pranced toward the track led by the ever-present, incredibly patient Carl. Hunter walked next to Carl. He didn’t see Kate, as she’d positioned herself down several feet on the other side of a few reporters. His dark hair was slicked back into his customary ponytail. He bent his head to speak to Mitch, after which he leaned against the rail to wait for the workout.
Carl boosted the exercise rider onto Sid’s back and off they went. Sid threw his usual temper tantrum. When he didn’t get his way, he bucked a few times, though not very ambitiously. After a few more antics, Sid settled down and went to work. His ground-covering strides eating up the distance with effortless ease.
Despite Sid not being her horse, Kate never tired of watching a talented Thoroughbred. Sid was right up there with the best she’d ever seen. He ran as if he could run all day and never tire. His big body was the picture of powerful grace and efficient motion.
Kate didn’t approach Hunter, who seemed oblivious to her presence as he focused on his horse. His intensity hit her in the heart with a realization she’d refused to see before. Winning the Derby was as important to Hunter as it was to her. In her estimation, he didn’t have as much at stake, but perhaps she’d been too tunnel-visioned to acknowledge the unique challenges Hunter himself faced. He had investors to answer to. He had his pride. He had his people. And he was the most competitive man she’d ever known.
When Sid’s workout finished and the small entourage headed back to the barn, Kate made her move. “Hunter,” she shouted. His pace slowed, but he kept walking. Her heart rate dropped. The man was going to blow her off, ignore her, keep on walking. He’d just given her the finger without using his hand.
That didn’t work for Kate.
“Hunter,” she said again, putting him on notice that she wasn’t about to give up easily.
After several more steps, Hunter’s shoulders sagged. He stopped and turned, resigned to his fate.
Kate braced herself for the inevitable effect he always had on her body. Nothing had changed. Every part of her responded to every part of him. She wanted him. She wanted his body. But she wasn’t satisfied with just his body; she wanted more. She wanted his heart.
He’d captured her heart that very first day months ago when she’d seen him at the training track.
“Hey,” he said, straightening his shoulders and walking toward her. “Are you here to watch your horse work out?” His manner was falsely friendly, as if they were casual acquaintances when they’d thrown out the casual part months ago.
“I think we need to talk.”
He managed a wry smile. “When a woman says that, a man had better beware.”
“That’s a sexist remark if I’ve ever heard one, but you’re right.”
He shrugged one shoulder, looking defeated and tired. Fear slipped through her.
“Is everything okay with Lilli?”
“Why don’t you tell me? You’ve probably talked to her more than I have.” He raised weary eyes and met her gaze.
“I’ve seen her a few times, but we just chatted horses.”<
br />
“Was Cam with her?” Anger crept into his voice.
“Yes. He treats her like a princess. You’re wrong about him, you know.”
“That remains to be seen.” The stubborn man wasn’t conceding an inch.
“What about you? Have you seen Talia?”
“No, why should I?”
“Because you obviously still believe she’s the one.”
“I don’t know what I believe.” He looked down, his tone sad.
Kate took a deep breath. “Figure it out. Your intentions are noble, but I’m not sure they’re realistic. I feel for you, Hunter McCoy. I’m not sure why, because you can be such an infuriating ass, but I do.”
Hunter raised his gaze to hers. What she saw in his eyes gave her the answer she needed and shattered her heart into a million sharp pieces. “I—I should go now. Have a great life, Hunter.”
She forced herself to walk with deliberate steps away from him when all she wanted to do was run like hell for the comfort of her car and cry until there weren’t any tears left. She held her head high with shoulders back.
Hunter didn’t follow her, but just before she rounded the corner of one of the barns, she couldn’t resist a peek over her shoulder. He stood in the very same place, hands at his sides and his face lifted to the sky.
* * * *
Hunter had made a mess of everything. Every fucking thing. When he’d returned to his rental that morning, not only had Cameron been gone, but so had Lilli. She’d left him a note, which he’d read with a sinking heart.
She didn’t want any contact with him until he chose to accept Cameron as the man in her life. She’d professed her love for his friend and claimed Cam loved her.
Shit. Shit. Shit.
Hunter wouldn’t call her. Not yet. She could be as stubborn as he was, probably a McCoy family trait. He’d give her space and time. Pushing her now would only drive her further away and closer to his former best buddy. So far he’d given her three weeks. Three fucking weeks. And not one fucking word. He was fucking out of sorts, which was probably why he was thinking in terms of “fucking” this and “fucking” that.
Game Changer: Seattle Steelheads Football (Game On in Seattle Book 7) Page 20
