RUINED - The Price of Play: Everhide Rockstar Romance Series Book 2

by Tania Joyce

  She needed to put distance between her and him. Yes, distance. A lot of distance. “Walk.” She lowered her gaze and drew his hand away. “We need to walk.”

  “Mmm.” He cleared his throat and turned along the path. “Good idea.”

  With her mind swirling, Kara strode along. Her puffer jacket swooshed against her thighs. A hundred yards from the edge of the lake, she reached a wide section of the park lined with trees and gentle slopes. She stopped when she realized Hunter was no longer beside her.

  She turned to see where he was. Before she had time to think, a snowball hit her, square in the face. What the hell?

  “Woohoo. Gotcha!” Hunter cheered, his hands pumping the air.

  Oh no, he doesn’t. Two could play this game. There was no way she was going down without a fight. “Why . . . you . . .” Scurrying onto the snow, she scooped up a handful. Mushing the snow into a ball, she threw it at him with force. It splattered against his shoulder. Another ball hit her in the back, and a shriek burst from her lungs. Her next ball hit him fair in the neck.

  “Argh, that’s freezing,” Hunter cried out, loosening his scarf and shaking away the snow.

  She pelted him with two more balls.

  He charged at her with a battle cry, throwing snow, and chasing her over the slope.

  Her heart pounded with each sidestep and dodging dash. She laughed—she hadn’t had so much fun in months. She jumped to a stop and made another ball.

  “Oh no you don’t.” He ducked to avoid her next assault. But he tripped, tumbled over, and slid backward down the hillside before coming to a halt.

  He pulled his scarf down and winced in pain. “Ow, my butt.”

  When he didn’t get up, Kara rushed over. Was he really hurt? She dropped to her knees, resting them on the edge of her coat. “Are you okay? Is your butt insured?”

  “No.” Agony strained his voice. “Only my face.”

  Kara thumped him in the shoulder. “You and your million-dollar face.” He wasn’t joking about being insured, but it made her laugh. He made her laugh.

  Covered in snow, he rolled onto his side and rubbed his ass. “I’ll be fine. Just give me a sec.”

  The next thing Kara knew, Hunter’s arm flung around her waist and pushed her down onto the hill. Her squeal echoed across the park.

  “That’s for making me fall.” He pinned her hands beside her head.

  “What? Me? You started it.” She twisted and tried to tug her arms free, but he was too strong. After several attempts, she gave up and just lay there, giggling.

  But then she stopped.

  His face loomed a few inches from hers. His eyes glimmered with victory. Snowflakes dotted the loose strands of hair that had strayed from underneath his beanie. His smile was as wide as Lake Michigan. His cheeks blazed red.

  Her heartbeat rose, so did her body temperature. Oh no.

  The muscles in his arms slackened. Her breath hitched and misted against his. The delicious aroma of chocolate filled the air.

  Her gaze fell to his mouth. His lips, dark pink, mesmerized her. She wanted them, sweet and delicious, against her mouth. She wanted him to consume her and taste the chocolate on his tongue. She wanted to do many things that involved chocolate and him. Drinking it wasn’t one of them.

  The cutest of smiles inched across his mouth. “Do you concede?”

  Oh, I want to concede my whole body to you. But she couldn’t. She’d had enough of her hormones, lust, and frustration playing havoc. Her mind was clear. Enough games. And games were all Hunter ever played.

  “Never.” In a move she’d learned in high school self-defense classes, she tore her hands free of his hold, grabbed him by the front of his anorak, hoisted him forward, and body rolled him over the top of her. His back hit the ground with a thud and she straddled his hips. Grabbing a fist full of his coat in one hand, she pointed at him with the other. “Are we going to keep playing this game, or do you concede and I win?”

  His eyes widened. “How the hell did you do that?” He held up his hands in surrender. “That was fucking incredible. My god, woman, who are you?”

  “Your worst nightmare.” She flicked her ponytail back over her shoulder.

  “You got that right.” He slapped her on the thigh. “Now get off me and help me up. We’re getting wet. It’s time to head home.”

  She slid off his hips and stood. Her mind filled with images of him underneath her. She could feel his body between her thighs. The want for him ached deep within her core. Stupid hormones. She brushed the snow off her jacket and pressed her cold gloves to her face, hoping the walk home, the darkening cloud cover, and the dropping temperature and falling snowflakes would put an end to her overzealous thoughts.

  He’d made her laugh. He always did. But this time, it wasn’t from his smartass banter or stupid ego taking over; it was from hanging out with him, being spontaneous, and having some crazy fun.

  He was different. Kind. Civil. Why couldn’t he be like this all the time? She’d known egotistical Hunter for so long, she struggled to comprehend this new side. It gave her hope that behind his guarded wall he did have a heart, and he’d support the baby. Or was that wishful thinking?

  With each step closer to his home, her pace slowed. The tightness in her chest returned. With Jenny’s party on this afternoon, she only had tonight to talk to Hunter about the baby and find out what he wanted to do.

  She hated having to do it, but to avoid stress and drawn-out complications, she had to give him an ultimatum.

  Yes or no?

  Are you involved, or not?

  Timeout was over.

  She needed to know. And she needed to know tonight.

  Chapter 10

  Kara, conscious of the time, followed Hunter into the back of the house and hung her wet jacket next to his in the mudroom. In less than twenty-four hours she’d be heading back to New York, with or without Hunter’s support.

  Delicious smells of home-baking filled the air. Was that apple pie? Kara’s belly rumbled. This time it wasn’t from morning sickness. This time it was from hunger.

  Jenny screamed from the kitchen. It vaporized all Kara’s thoughts.

  “No. I won’t take it.”

  “Jenny. Stop. Take your medicine.” Lillian’s firm voice held a hint of exasperation.

  Kara followed Hunter inside. She froze in the doorway and gaped. Jenny stood by the counter, swinging her fists wildly and pounding into Lillian’s arm.

  Hunter dashed over. “Jenny. No.” He grabbed her, dragged her back and shoved her onto one of the kitchen stools. He held her steady until she stopped fighting.

  “It’s okay, Hunter.” Lillian rubbed her red arm. “She doesn’t like the taste of this tablet.” She placed the white pill in a medicine cup and put it down in front of Jenny. “Take it. Now.”

  Kara eased forward, eying the bruises on Lillian’s arm. Horror rippled through her bones. Was this a regular occurrence? Was Jenny violent at times?

  “Jenny, I’ll get you some water.” Hunter dove into the fridge to grab a bottle and placed it in front of her. “Take your medicine. Hurry up. No party until you do.”

  Jenny reluctantly swallowed the pill and pulled a sour face. Hunter came over to Kara and placed his hands on her arms. “Medicine time can be a drama. You okay?”

  Fear, anguish, naivety and sympathy barreled together and wrapped around Kara’s spine. Shaken and stirred, she managed to nod. “Yes.”

  “Oh no. The pie.” Lillian reached for the potholders and dived toward the oven. She reefed open the door and a plume of smoke billowed up to the ceiling. After fanning it away, she ripped out an overcooked pie.

  “Yuck. What’s that?” Jenny pointed to the dish on the countertop.

  “It’s a pumpkin pie. Hunter loves it. I thought I’d make one since he missed Thanksgiving.”

  “Aw, Mom. Thanks. You didn’t have to.” He swept over to her and gave her a hug. “It’s only the crust that’s burnt. Cut that off and I�
��ll still eat it.” A huge grin slid across his face, and he winked in Kara’s direction.

  Humph. Kara crossed her arms. Always full of charm. Even for his mom.

  Jenny wailed. “I hate pumpkin pie. It’s yucky.” With a brush of her arm, she sent the hot dish tumbling to the floor. Smash! Lillian, Kara, and Hunter jumped back to avoid being sprayed with scalding orange goo. Jenny screeched, “Ow,” clutching her burnt fingers.

  Kara didn’t move, worried that Jenny would send something else flying off the counter if she as much batted an eyelid.

  “JENNY.” Lillian’s cheeks flared red. Kara didn’t know if it was embarrassment or rage. “Go to your room. Now.”

  “No,” Jenny blurted. But the minute Lillian took a step forward, she jumped off the stool and stormed off.

  “Mom, I’ll clean it up.” Hunter fetched the roll of paper towels from beside the cooktop. “You go deal with Jenny. Check her hand.”

  Lillian nodded, her face pale. Untying her apron, she rushed out of the kitchen.

  Hunter fell to his knees and scooped up the pie. “Another fine day in the house of Collins.”

  Kara grabbed the dishcloth with shaky hands and helped. “It’s okay.”

  “No. It’s not.” His anguish tugged at her heart. “This is what you could be in for. Are you sure you still want to have my child?” He didn’t look up, just kept scrubbing the floor.

  Seeing Jenny’s outbursts had certainly unnerved Kara. How would she cope if she had to face something like this? A child with special needs? A disability?

  Like Lillian. Lillian had been strong but caring. Firm, but stoic. Loving, no matter what. The kind of mother Kara wanted to be.

  Hunter had done Kara a favor by bringing her here. It had brought her out of her sheltered world and helped her mentally prepare for the fact something drastic might go wrong.

  She placed her hand on his. An ache swelled in her chest. She understood his pain and fears, but it didn’t shift her mindset. “Yes. I am.”

  ***

  By two o’clock in the afternoon, the party was underway. Jenny was a changed woman. She hugged and kissed everyone when they arrived and ripped into presents the second one was placed in her hand. Lillian had changed, too. After knocking back a few of Hunter’s JDs, gone was the Martha Stewart wannabe, and in her place was a hollering, screeching Courtney Love. Kara giggled each time Lillian’s voice grew louder and louder.

  Twenty-five people filled the open-plan living area and space outside on the heated pergola. Jenny blasted Everhide’s latest album through the speakers and danced in the middle of the living room with two of her friends.

  After birthday cake, Hunter held everyone entranced by playing the piano. He sang “Happy Birthday,” and churned out several of Jenny’s favorite songs. Kara had seen Hunter sing many times, but in this intimate environment he was more captivating than ever. With every note he sang, butterflies took flight in her belly and weakened her knees. She steadied herself against the dining table chair and took a sweeping look around the room—at Hunter, his family, and their friends. An emptiness flared inside her chest. She wanted a family and friends like this.

  One day she’d find a man who felt the same way. Would that dream ever become a reality as a single mom?

  Being alone scared her, but she had to embrace her future. She had to push her swinging emotions for Hunter aside and prepare herself for the worst. For the sake of her child, she was ready. Ready to be a mom, no matter what.

  ***

  At the end of the party, Kara helped Hunter put the last of the leftovers away. His nervous gaze jumped from hers to the clock on the wall. 8.10pm. With Jenny curled up asleep on the sofa, Art and two of his mates in the den watching football, and Lillian at the table polishing off a bottle of wine with one of her friends, now seemed the perfect time to talk to Hunter.

  She placed her hand on her belly and took a deep breath. “It’s getting late. We need to talk.”

  He lowered his chin and nodded. “I know. Can I get you anything to eat or drink?”

  “No, but I need to sit.” Her feet ached from standing for most of the afternoon.

  “Sure. I’ll grab a refill.”

  He poured a half glass of JD into a fresh crystal tumbler, and she followed him down the hallway and sat next to him on the bottom step of the staircase.

  He looked as tired as she felt. She wanted to brush her fingers across his brow and erase his worry lines. Run her hand over his tensed jaw to smooth away his fears about the baby. Curl her arm around his and rest her weary head against his shoulder. But that would be too intimate. Too friendly. Too much.

  He sipped his drink, and the ice clinked against the side of the glass. “Thanks for today. You survived?”

  “Yeah. I’ve actually had a good time.” Kara rested her elbow on the step behind her. “I wasn’t expecting that this weekend.”

  “Neither was I.” His grin flickered, then disappeared. He gulped a mouthful of JD and stared into his glass. “I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you . . . I mean . . . the baby, all day. It’s like this constant drumming in the back of my head.”

  She tugged the long sleeves of her gold-knit top over her hands and wrapped her arms around herself. No more games and distractions. It was decision time. To hell with the consequences. “Same. This is not how I planned to have a baby. But it’s my one and only shot. I don’t want to stress anymore. So, if you want no part in this, I need to know now so I can get on with my life.”

  Hunter stared at the wall opposite the stairs. Faded family holiday photos in mismatched frames adorned its length. A gangling teenage Hunter with a mass of unruly curls and stick-thin frame on the beach brought a smile to her face. That awkward kid had been voted “Sexiest Man Alive.” Twice.

  With a hardened face, Hunter’s eyes glassed over. “I could never ask you to move or stop hanging out with Gem. She’d kill me. I’m not that much of an asshole.” He closed his eyes. “I can’t comprehend why you want to do this. I hate that there’s no way out.” He turned to face her and sucked air hard into his lungs. “I don’t want to fight anymore. If I can’t change your mind, and you’re going to have this baby, I have to do what’s right. I have to support you.”

  Her heart leaped and his words rang in her ears. She stared into the depths of his blue eyes for what seemed like a minute but in reality, it was only a few seconds. She lunged forward and threw her arms around his neck. “Thank you.”

  Their baby would know its daddy. She couldn’t ask for anything more.

  But her relief was short-lived. When she slid back and saw Hunter’s face, her stomach fell through the floor.

  Gone was Hunter’s ego, the playful glint that resided in his eyes. Instead, he sat there, broken. His eyes were swollen with tears. His brow was furrowed, and his shoulders slumped.

  Her heart cinched, like it was laced too tightly into a corset. She’d done this to him. She wanted to reach out and comfort him, and tell him everything between them would be all right, but how could she when she didn’t know that for sure?

  He shuffled back on the step. He rested his arms on his bent knees, and his head drooped forward. His glass looked as if it would slip from his fingertips at any moment. “I’ll have to discuss things with my lawyers.” His voice was so low and deep it was hard to hear. “But as for actual involvement when it’s born . . . I don’t have an answer yet. I don’t know what you expect of me.”

  She wanted the fairytale ending, but he was no knight in shining armor. And no doubt they would have to make compromises to find common ground. But this was a start down the right path. “I’ll be near due when you finish tour. Do you want any updates and scan details before then? Do you want to be at the birth?”

  The color drained from his face. “Shit . . . I don’t know. We have a couple of weeks off after tour, then promo. Our calendar for the next two years is chaotic. I have no consistent schedule. I can’t see how we’re going to make this work.” />
  She curled her arms around her legs and placed her cheek on her knee. She knew he led a hectic life. When he was around, she’d ensure that their child was available to him. He wanted to be involved; that was what mattered. “We’ve got seven and a half months to work everything out.”

  He downed his JD in one gulp, screwed up his eyes, and gasped. “Ahh. I needed that.”

  He licked his lips, leaving a sheen of moisture glistening in the dim light.

  Her core flared hot and needy. Oh God. Not again. Damn her body. She wanted his hands on her skin and to taste the whiskey on his lips. To entwine her fingers in his hair and crush his chest against hers. Preferably naked. She tightened her grip on her legs and dug her fingers into her flesh—anything to help distract her from having these crazy thoughts in the middle of a serious conversation.

  Concern flashed in his eyes. “You okay?”

  Drawing air deep into her lungs, she ignored her raging hormones. She nodded and slid closer to him, curled her arm under his, and rested her head against his shoulder. To hell with not showing she cared. “Yeah. I’m just happy. Happy for our baby. Hunt, after seeing you with Jenny, I know you will be a good father.”

  She rubbed his arm with languid strokes. His long-sleeved T-shirt slipped and glided beneath her fingertips. Muscles, hard as rock, tensed beneath the fabric.

  She squeezed his biceps. Hmmm . . .

  Shit! Did that sound come out of her mouth?

  “What are you doing?” He looked at her hand.

  “Sorry.” Heat burned her cheeks and ears. She pulled away and fiddled with her ponytail. “I can’t help it. My hormones are out of control. I keep getting . . . horny. Being around you is not helping the situation.”

  “You’re what?” His eyes widened and he lurched away from her. His shoulder thumped the railing.

  Kara winced, wishing for a rug to crawl under. But she was being honest. “I know it’s different for you. You’re on tour. You probably sleep with someone new every other day, night, whatever. But I haven’t been with anyone since you.”