Chapter Twenty-Three
Baw bag: noun, an insult, an ignorant, vulgar, obnoxious or otherwise debatable person. A scrotum. Pronounced: Baw bag.
Coorie: Verb, to snuggle, nestle, cuddle. Pronounced: Coo-ree.
* * *
Eden
Fate, karma, the universe, whatever you want to call it is a funny old thing. Life is so unpredictable. Often unexpected. It never pans out how you think it will, and sometimes you just have to go with the flow.
Like now, for instance.
I’m sitting at my kitchen table, the very table Hunter and I fucked each other senseless on the other night, across from the man I never thought, maybe recently secretly wished, I’d never see again. He’s never changed. Still dirty-blond, blue eyes, average height, unkempt, pale, all-around average.
He’s sitting here, cocky as ever. As if the last few years never happened. He looks well. Not broken like he was when he left. I wondered to myself if he may have sought the help he needed for his post-traumatic stress disorder. I hope he did. He needed it, although I thought I smelled a faint whiff of alcohol as he walked past me at the front door.
Following the surprise encounter with Jamie the other evening, I stumbled away in shock, not wanting to talk to him. Hunter wrapped his huge protective arms around me and bundled me into a taxi.
He didn’t ask me anything or press me to talk about Jamie afterward. He made me a cup of tea and snuggled up with me on the couch. He always knows exactly what I need.
Jamie turned up on my doorstep the next morning, wanting to talk. I wasn’t ready. So I asked him to come back in a few days. And here he is.
I’ve psyched myself up to speak to him. Having him in my house unnerves me, though.
“What do you want, Jamie?”
“Please don’t be like that, Eddy.”
“Don’t call me that. You lost that right when you left me,” I say deadpan.
My shield of armor is firmly up.
“You look great.”
Bawbag.
“Where have you been all this time?”
“Glasgow.”
“Glasgow? What? As in an hour and a half away from here Glasgow?” I ask in confusion. “You’ve been there all this time, doing what?”
“Working for a building contractor. A friend of mine got me the job not long after I left.”
So he’s been in Glasgow, close to Castleview Cove and holding down a job. Doesn’t sound like he’s been going crazy out of his mind worrying about me, and I’ll be damned if I let him know it’s only within the last three months I’ve got my life back on track. I feel so pathetic for holding on so long. What a waste of my years.
“What are you back for? Why now?”
“Fraser’s back for The Cup. I thought it would be a good time to return. See Mum and Dad, and I haven’t met my nephew before either. It’s been a family reunion of sorts.”
Great.
“Since when did you become the family man, Jamie?”
“Please don’t be angry with me, Eddy. I can’t go on another year with you hating me.”
“You think I hate you? I don’t care enough about you anymore to hate you.”
“Ouch. Fucking hell, since when did you become so feisty?”
“Since you left me. Since you never attended your own daughter’s funeral. Since you didn’t get in touch to let me know you were fine and well. Since I discovered you were cheating on me, for years, I might add, with Fiona fucking Evans. Nothing like choosing the town slut. Classy choice, Jamie. Real classy. So take your pick,” I spit out.
“Shit,” he whispers with his head bowed.
What a prick.
“You know the best bit. I now know we were never in love with each other. Our relationship was deeply flawed, but I wasn’t the problem. You were. The boat and losing the boys aside, we had issues way before then. Our relationship was based on lies. I was a pushover. You used me. I was a simple choice.”
“You really think that? Seriously. I love you, Eddy. I never stopped. I thought about you all the time.”
What the actual hell is he on about? Is he for real?
“You love me?” I try to keep my cool. “I’m sorry, but you clearly do not know what love is. It’s trust and honesty. It’s being looked after. Being made to feel special, and it’s a joint partnership. Ours…” I motion to the gap between us. “Was very one-sided, in every single way. It all leaned in your favor. Trust me, I know that now.”
I feel my face getting hot and flushed as my heart beats in my ears with rage.
“And tell me, how many girls did you screw when you were with me? And since you left me? Did you ever think to get in touch? Love me? You’re an asshole.” I shake my head in disbelief.
“I love it when you’re feisty.”
What a cocky twat.
“After all this time, you come back here and throw this shit at me with the word love and you sit there like the last few years never happened. You’ve got a helluva nerve. You are the last person on earth I want to spend any time with anymore,” I spit out.
“So you’re spending all your time with Hunter King now?”
“He’s five times the man you are.”
I get the distinct feeling Jamie isn’t back because he cares about me; it’s because he’s jealous.
“Oh really, is that why they pictured him with his ex a few weeks ago in Florida. Weren’t you with him there too?”
What the hell is he talking about? Hunter and Jess? Couldn’t be. I was there with him the whole time. Apart from the morning we were due to leave, he nipped out as he had some ‘loose ends’ to tie up, he said before heading back here to Scotland.
“How the hell do you know I was in Florida? Stalking me now, Jamie? You’re pathetic.”
Why is he doing this? And what picture? I need to Google when he leaves.
“I can’t believe you’re here, and you expect me to just act like everything is normal. You haven’t even asked about Chloe, our baby.” I clutch my chest. “Why didn’t you come to the funeral?”
“I didn’t know. My family didn’t know my whereabouts, so they couldn’t get in touch. And I was a mess, Eddy; I couldn’t come back. I wasn’t ready.”
“But you’re ready now?”
Ready now, because I have Hunter. He’s been checking out Hunter’s Instagram. I think this is who Fraser texted that day on the beach. He was texting Jamie all along.
“Yes, I am. How do I make things right with you?”
A loud bang from the front door startles us, and Hunter starts talking before he enters the kitchen. Oh boy, how do I explain this?
“Hey, Cupcake, I’m home,” he bellows. “Day two, baby, and Hunter King is back in business. My game was on point today. I’m winning this championship. Your predictions were correct, baby.” Dropping his keys, I hear them clatter on the top of the wooden console at the front door. “I want to celebrate. First, though.” I hear him getting closer and his voice hits the kitchen before he does. “I want to devour your lips and then… I’ve thought of nothing else all day but your pretty little lips wrapped around my co—”
Hunter stops as he turns the corner into the kitchen and spots Jamie and me at the table.
“Shit,” he says under his breath.
Jamie sneers. “You were always pretty good with your mouth, Eddy,” he mumbles.
I think I’m going to pass out.
“What the fuck did you just say?” Hunter booms.
“Stating facts, Hunter,” Jamie calmly replies.
Christ, Jamie’s braver than I thought. Maybe he is drunk.
“Stop it, both of you.”
Jamie sneers at me. “So you’re screwing the retreat residents now. If that’s how this works, maybe I should check myself in,” Jamie says, his voice thick with venom.
A sudden declaration of war between them, I watch as Hunter readies to launch himself at Jamie. I fly from the table, running, and place my tiny frame in front of him with my hands up, pushing his chest back.
“Don’t let him get to you. He’s baiting you, Hunter. You have your game to think about. Your hands are your winning chance. Ignore him.”
“And you.” I whip around, coming face-to-face with Jamie’s sinister smile. “Get out of my house, now. You can speak to me about Chloe and Chloe only. You know, your baby? That you haven’t even asked about. Do you even know what happened? You’re a self-absorbed prick. Thank Christ Chloe isn’t here to witness how much of a fucknugget you are. You would have made a shitty dad. Now get the hell out of my home. Now.” I point in the door's direction.
I continue to stand in front of Hunter as I watch Jamie slide his chair across the floor, making an almighty shriek from the legs across the floor. How fitting it sounds like my inner voice, shrieking to remove me from this situation.
Raising himself to his feet, he catches my eye. “I do want to speak to you about Chloe, Eddy. I really do. I’ll be in touch.” He then sniggers at Hunter.
“Don’t bother,” Hunter growls though clenched jaw.
“That’s not for you to decide.”
“Like hell it isn’t,” Hunter roars at Jamie.
“C’mon now, Hunt—” I lower my voice.
“Hunt suits you, rhymes with cun—”
“That’s enough, Jamie. Get out now,” I yell.
Hunter and I both watch as Jamie skulks through my house. We hear the front door close with an almighty bang.
I slowly turn to face Hunter.
“Eddy?” Hunter scrunches his face up in disgust. “You’re not fucking seeing him again.”
I’ve only ever seen Hunter mad once, and that was when Jess was here. Which reminds me, I must look that picture up of her and Hunter Jamie mentioned, if it even exists.
“Ocht, it’s what he used to call me. I told him to stop. You’re right; I don’t want to see him again, but if he asks about Chloe and wants to go see her memorial and where we laid her ashes by the tree, then I will take him. But only for that. You can’t tell me who I can and can’t see.”
Hunter stands, breathing heavy in and out, hands on hips, as he tries to calm himself. “You shouldn’t even see him for that. I won’t allow him to speak to you like that. He’s your ex and I don’t trust him. I would never ask you to stop seeing anyone but him. I can’t allow it.”
“I don’t want to fight. Please? It’s his daughter too, Hunter. Believe me, I agree with you; however, I do not do tit for tat. That’s not how I behave.”
“Okay, but if you see him again, someone should be with you. I don’t think I’m that person. I may do something I regret.” He stops in deep thought. “How can he be Fraser’s brother? They are nothing alike.” He frowns.
“I don’t know.”
“What made you decide to see him?” Hunter quizzes me with a frown.
“I just thought it would be better to get it out the way. Like ripping off a plaster, or Band-Aid is what you call it. Get it done. Trust me, I’m not exactly part of the Jamie fan club either. All I want to do is show him Chloe’s tree, and then I’ll never have to bother with him again. He’s just said he lives in Glasgow. He has a job and stuff, so he’s no intention of staying. You have nothing to worry about.”
Hunter folds his arms, deep in thought.
I steer the conversation in a different direction. “He ruined your big news. Let’s forget about him. Tell me everything about today; we can watch the highlights together on the television tonight. I want you to tell me all about the pars and under pars, birdies and eagles annnnd… those are the only golfy type words I know; I don’t even think they’re correct.” Hunter laughs at me. “Mmm, and shaft and hole, they sound naughty.” I laugh, trying to lighten the mood.
“I don’t care if you don’t know, Cupcake, as long as you’re there for the final, because it looks like I’m on target for that.” He bounces up and down on his feet with excitement. “Then you can call all the golf words after types of fruit for all I care.”
“Come here,” I beckon him with my pointer finger to me with flirty eyes.
Hunter strides over and wraps his muscular arms around me, nuzzling into my neck. “Fancy a shower, Cupcake?”
“I thought you’d never ask.”
“Unfortunately, I can’t stay tonight as Luke and Evan have strategy to discuss and I need to study the golf course again. Plus, I have a couple of appointments I need to attend; I really need to go to those. But we can have a shower. I’ll make us something quick to eat, but then I need to go.”
I groan. We only have a few more days left and I want to spend all my nights with Hunter. What appointments does he have so late on in the evening?
“Well, if we only have a little time together tonight, let’s make the most of it,” I say as I slap his ass and start running for the shower. “Race ya.”
“Hey, you cheated.”
I make it into the shower before him.
Hunter appears behind me, encasing me with his solid, naked body, placing feather kisses to my shoulder and neck. We shower in silence and Hunter bathes me with the utmost of care and intimacy, kissing and cuddling me under the trickling water. Never have I felt so cared for.
“Shall we just order food in? Save you cooking, you’ve had a long day,” I say as I get out the shower.
“So have you. That’s a great idea. I have that local food app on my phone; my passcode is my birthday. Just pick anything, I’m ravenous.”
I nip out of the shower before Hunter to order ahead.
“Haggis it is,” I tease as I walk out of my bathroom.
‘Don’t order haggis, uh-uh,” he bellows from the shower.
“I thought you loved it.”
“Yeah, sorry, it was delicious. Order me five portions.” I hear him gag.
Laughing, I grab Hunter’s phone off the bed, tap in his code, and there in front of my eyes is Hunter’s text message app he hasn’t closed.
Jess:I’m so happy we saw each other today. It was great and Florida was pretty special too. Can’t wait for this week to be over so we can get back to the States.
It’s from today. See each other, great, Florida, special, we?
Bile rises in my throat.
He didn’t reply. It was delivered just as he arrived at my house. Jess is here. So he saw her in Florida. What did he see her for? Is that who he’s seeing tonight for his alleged late-night appointment? It can’t be. He’s said many times he doesn’t speak to her, and I saw how he was with her when Jax and she arrived together. Was, is, this all an act?
“What are we having for dinner then?” Hunter saunters into the bedroom, rubbing his hair with a towel.
I swipe his messages away quickly, my heart beating fast, and start scrolling to find the app.
Flustered, I say, “Eh, I don’t know what to have Chinese, Indian, or Italian. You decide.”
“Let’s have Chinese tonight.”
I place our order and then get dressed, a million different thoughts and scenarios whirling through my mind. I pass Hunter his laundered clothes I did for him today, and he casually chats away as I mumble a yes and no here and there. Once he’s dressed, we head downstairs.
A little niggle enters my head. Hunter never tried to have sex with me tonight. That’s not like him. He normally can’t get enough.
Breaking my thoughts, he says, “I love your house, Eden, it's incredible. I can’t believe you designed this yourself.” He bounces down the stairs, looking around at the space.
I get our plates and cutlery ready. “Well, along with the architect I did, yeah.”
“You have an amazing eye for detail. Your shower is like a luxury five-star hotel.”
“I know, and I have a Kim Kardashian worthy walk-in wardrobe too.” I’m trying to keep a level voice that doesn’t give away my upset.
“With curves and booty to match.”
I give a weak laugh.
“Would you ever consider building another house?”
“Yes, definitely. I love it here, but it’s attached to the studio and can sometimes be noisy with the cars and drop-offs and music and stuff. We do appear to be outgrowing it though. I have a feeling we could do with a new dance teacher to join our team to cover me when I come to visit you too. I think it’s too much for Ella and Eva.”
“I wouldn’t worry about that for now.”
Does he mean because I won’t be visiting him, anyway? I feel sick.
“Hey, you okay?”
“Mmmmm… I’m so tired tonight. I taught four classes today with Eva off. I felt a little light-headed earlier too. I’m fine, really.” I fan my face with my hand.
“Well, as soon as we’ve finished dinner, I’m going, and you can have an early night,” he says. “Then we only have tomorrow night together.” He protrudes his bottom lip out like a sulky child.
“The winner’s ball is on the night of the final. Which means we have to come back here, fast turnaround, change, then straight back out. My flight is so early the next morning.” He wraps his arms around me.
He can’t be cheating on me; I don’t believe that. It simply can’t be true. I know how he feels about cheating. It has to be something else.
“What do you want to do tomorrow night?” I ask, feeling saddened by his departure and the discovery of Jess’ text messages.
“I would love to sit on the sofa with you, cuddle, or what do you guys call it, coorie. I love that word. I want to coorie in with you, watch a film, kiss you all over, and sleep here tomorrow night. Then the big day the next day.” His eyes twinkle.
“Sounds perfect.”
After our meal, I clean up and walk Hunter to the door.
“Tomorrow I have back-to-back classes. I’ll see you tomorrow night then?”
“Yeah, I’ll text you as soon as I’m off the course.” He leans in and places his plump lips to mine. “I’m going to miss eight weeks of these lips and this cracking arse of yours,” he rasps with an almost Scottish twang as he smooths his hand down my back and gives my butt a good squeeze. I’ve noticed he’s been using more Scottish British slang, like arse. It doesn’t suit his accent at all, the way he tries to roll his letter r’s.
“I love you, Hunter. I really do. Be careful with my heart, please.”
“Hey, hey, baby, look at me. I will always look after your heart. I promise.”
I smile softly.
“What appointments are you going to tonight?” I ask curiously.
“Eh, it’s just a Golf Association thing.”
“Okay, well, have fun and good luck tomorrow.”
“See you tomorrow night, Cupcake. Love you.”
“I love you too.”
I stand and wave him off till he’s around the corner.
Heading back into the house, I quickly grab my phone and text Beth.
Me:Do you have something on this evening at the Golf Association with Hunter?
Beth:Not at this time of the night, no, why?
Me:I must have got mixed up, sorry.
Beth:He’s doing really well in The Cup. Everyone’s rooting for him to win. His agent is an asshole, though, and his ex. She goes everywhere with him.
Me:Was she there today? I was there for an hour early this morning but didn’t see him or her.
Beth:Yeah, in the VIP area all day, winding everyone up and making out she and Hunter were so close. She has no class.
Me:Great. Can’t wait to meet her. I’ll see you on final day.
Beth:Forget her. See you then. Love you, babes :)
I pull up Google next and search for Hunter’s name. Sure enough, there, in all its glory, is a photo of Hunter embracing Jess outside what looks like an office. He’s wearing the clothes he wore on his flight back to Scotland with the headline, King of Golf Dumps Highland Fling for Old Flame.
What?
Jamie was telling the truth. I’m not sure how I missed this.
A cold sweat washes over me, and I make a dash toward my downstairs bathroom as I’m hit by a sudden wave of sickness.
I don’t like this feeling.
Please don’t let this be true.