Hunting Eden (Triple Trouble 1)

Chapter Twenty-Five

Reekin: adjective, a state of inebriation. Pronounced: Ree-kin

* * *

Eden

Waking up to an empty bed this morning set my mood for the entire day. Hunter had to be up and away at the crack of dawn.

I feel sadness as it weaves into my bones.

Wearily, I walk through the busy and noisy VIP tent on my way to the restrooms. Beth’s been checking where Hunter is so we can watch him coming in toward the final last four holes. He’s doing extremely well, and he’s eighteen under, which apparently means he’s winning the Championship.

I’ve been chatting with Hunter’s mum, Elizabeth and stepfather, Frank. Both of them are wonderful people, but I’ve been holding back knowing that I may never see them again. They truly love Hunter and are the perfect doting parents.

Last night was wonderful with Hunter, but thoughts of us being apart from early tomorrow do things to my heart I don’t like.

I wanted to ask Hunter about his photo with Jess and why he didn’t mention it after meeting her in Florida.

I wanted to ask him about the Golf Association meeting too, that apparently never happened, but I couldn’t bring myself to ask either.

The reality of my impending heartbreak is setting in.

All I wanted was one last night with Hunter. Probably selfish of me. But to love him is what I am meant to do.

My heart is his. His is not mine. Especially if he’s been seeing Jess. I feel like such a fool; however, the last thing I want to do is throw him off his game. I may be a lot of things, but being a bitch or stealing someone's dream, nope, that’s not my style. I’m letting him have his moment before I fade into the background and become a distant memory for him while he lives his life in Florida. With Jess. If he is lying to me, then he’s a great actor, I’ll give him that.

So, today for me, is all about the show again, back to that old chestnut. I’m here to support, and then he’ll be gone tomorrow, taking my heart with him.

My heart feels heavy as I enter the bathroom. Having done my business, I stand and wiggle side to side, pulling up my super skinny black jeans. I feel it all happening at once. My phone slides up my back pocket as my butt cheek stretches out the fabric. It jumps out of my pocket and slides into the toilet with a loud plop. “Oh, fudge nuggets,” I gasp and whip around. Instinctively I throw my hand out, knowing good and well I would not put my hand in there. But like karma herself has turned up to lay everything on me today, a slight wave of my hand triggers the auto sensor flush and before my very eyes, my phone is gone in the whirling water. Poof.

“Well, that’s just great. Thanks.” I raise my head to the heavens and roll my eyes.

I quickly wash my hands and stomp back to the tent.

I call out to the girls, “I just dropped my phone down the toilet.” I raise my hands in the air, slapping them back down on my outer thighs.

“Shit.” Beth laughs. “It would only happen to you. You can now tell everyone you have shitty reception.”

“Oh, very funny. What a day.”

“Hey, hey, this is a great day.” Beth loops her arms around me. “Forget your phone; you’ll get a new one. You’re in love, and your boyfriend is in The Cup final, which I might add we need to make a move to watch his last four holes. Plus, we’re drinking champagne; the sun is shining; the place is buzzing. What have you got to be sad about?”

If only she knew about the text messages, the photo, and his lie.

“Nothing.” I paint a smile on my face.

“Girls, let's make a move, shall we? We can’t stay here getting reeking.”

“I have no phone, so please don’t lose me, ladies.”

“We won’t. First things first, Hunter said to grab his bodyguards from the staffing station, Liam and Noah. Then we can get to the front for Hunter’s last shots. C’mon, let’s go.” Beth rounds us up, downing the last of her champagne and plonking her glass onto the table.

Once Liam and Noah are with us, Eva, Ella, Toni, Beth, and I huddle between them, protecting us from the crazy busy crowds.

“I feel so important,” says Toni.

“We are.” Ella points to her VIP pass.

We all giggle.

As we head toward our destination with Liam and Noah as our protectors, I teeter in my black wedge strappy sandals, trying to keep up with my herd of gazelles.

We arrive just in time to see Hunter and his caddy, Jim, who I only met the other day, walking up the fairway toward the hole Hunter’s playing. Waving to the fans as he passes, they cheer and clap him on, calling his name and wishing him well. The crowds love him.

He’s shining out there and loving every minute, chatting to his caddy and reveling in the moment.

Standing near the front, I hope he spots me with my white tee shirt featuring a sequined gold crown on the front, but he spots Jax and Jess first and gives them a thumbs-up. Fucking Jess. Then he spots me and waves in my direction with a cheesy smile and winks. Giving a small wave back, my heart melts at his smile. He’s such a good-looking man. He’s the only man I know who could pull off wearing a pair of skintight white pants. He is hot and his ass should be illegal. But he’s not mine.

Pushing my gloomy thoughts aside, I focus on Hunter for the next few holes as we walk toward the last hole.

The tension throughout the crowds is palpable. The fans respectfully clap Hunter and his opponent on, but when asked to stay quiet while they take their shots, they’re all as quiet as church mice. The buzz and thrum of people around is contagious.

I never knew golf could be so exciting.

“Okay, Eden,” Beth leans in and whispers in my ear. “This is the final hole. Hunter’s opponent has made his shot. If Hunter makes this putt and the ball goes in the hole. He’s won.” Thank Christ for Beth. All I know is that he was winning, but no idea by how many shots on this hole or how many he needs to win.

I grab Beth’s hand and squeeze it tight.

The steward holds up his baton, instructing the crowd to be quiet.

Then there is complete silence.

In the distance, all that can be heard is the crashing ocean waves and the odd shriek of a seagull here and there.

A thrum of excitement rolls through the 40,000 strong crowd.

This is it.

This is Hunter’s shot.

Crouching.

Assessing.

Aligning.

Silence.

Hunter gets himself into position, does a little side-to-side patter of his feet. Swings his putter back and forth before committing to the shot.

I do not know how Hunter must be feeling, but I feel my own heart beating like a loud set of bongos in my chest.

With one gentle, expert stroke, the golf ball rolls across the green, taking its time to fall with a dip into the hole and makes a clatter sound indicating he’s won.

And that’s it.

The crowd cheers and claps with excitement. People sitting up high in the spectator stands rise to their feet in honor of Hunter, whooping and chanting his name.

He’s a legend. Pulling himself back from the brink to this moment of glory.

Hugs, back pats, and handshakes are dished out to his caddy and his opponent. Walking over to his parents, sister, Evan, and Luke, they all embrace with well wishes and excitement for Hunter.

The king is most definitely back.

Hunter is so calm and composed. I don’t know how he does it. He moves away from his family, claps his hands, then walks in a circle, in delight, thanking the crowd for their support and basking in his win.

A mixed grin of elation and relief dons his striking face.

As he circles around, he spots me in the crowd and strides toward me with intention.

Ella nudges my back, prompting me to walk toward him. I start tentatively moving. But then he puts his arms out and I run to him. The crowd goes wild as I leap into his arms.

I hear clicking cameras all around us as the paparazzi go nuts at our sudden display of affection.

“I did it, baby.”

“You really did, Hunter. I’m so proud of you.”

Dropping me onto my feet, he leans down, cups my face, and kisses me full on the mouth in front of thousands of people. I wonder how many people are watching this on television from all over the world. I cry with happiness for him.

The cheering takes a new turn, getting louder and louder as we stay in our own little bubble for a few seconds, longer than we should.

Hunter leans back, grabs my hand, and punches his hand in the air. The whooping and cheering that follows is deafening.

A girl could definitely get used to this.

“I love your tee shirt.” He turns to me, pointing at my sequined crown tee.

The crowd spots what he’s doing and laughs along with us.

“I wore it for you. You’re my king.”

“And you’re my queen, baby.”

Am I?

Leaning down once more, he taps a quick kiss to my lips, then informs me he’s got to get ready for the official ceremony and interviews.

“You can watch the presentation if you want, Cupcake, then I know you’ll be keen to get away quickly so we can change for the ball tonight. I’ll come pick you up. I have some news I need to share with you, plus something else I really need to tell you,” he says.

He looks worried.

“Okay.”

I wonder if he’s telling me it’s over tonight, and this is all show for the press. He did say a few weeks ago to me that the press is good for his brand.

As he dashes off, Liam stalks toward me, ushering me back to the safety of the girls and Noah.

We watch Hunter being presented with his trophy and give his quick speech, thanking all his family and his support team. He mentions the fact that Castleview Cove will always have a special place in his heart. He will in mine too.

Afterward, we all disperse, going our separate ways. Ella is attending the ball this evening as Luke’s partner, and Toni is going with Evan. For Beth it’s a work event so she’ll be there, anyway. No, Eva today or tonight. She’s currently having a sabbatical from the studio. She won’t tell us why, but we agreed to respect her wishes and give her the space and time she said she needs.

“Ladies, see when you’re all better dressed.” Beth laughs.

As Toni, Ella, and I jump in the car Hunter organized for us, we wave Beth goodbye.

We’re all getting ready at my place. I have bought new everything for this evening.

This last week has gone too quickly for my liking.

Last night together. What a horrible thought.

Dread washes over me in waves at our impending farewell.

One last night before he becomes someone else's.

* * *

Sipping glasses of sparkling prosecco in my kitchen, Toni, Ella, and I wobble about on our heels. Fixing, preening, and altering hair, lipstick, and pulling at our dresses here and there.

A loud knock at the front door indicates the arrival of the boys.

Clicking across my wooden floor, I head to answer the door as Hunter walks through it.

I’m greeted by Hunter in his tuxedo. Good heavens.

What a sight.

He’s so handsome and I can feel the energy bouncing off of him. He’s as high as a kite from the adrenaline of winning today.

He rushes in, but then stops. “Aw, man, you’ll hate me if I ruin your lipstick.”

“I really will,” I say, agreeing with him.

“You look fabulous.” He steps back to get a better view.

The dress I picked out for tonight is a strapless navy satin number with a higher front and dramatic dipped hemline at the back. My Bardot neckline bodice features an oversized print of blush pink, royal blue, and red peonies design, and the inside of the dress is lined with the same material of my bodice. It’s royal and luxurious, and it makes me feel like a queen.

“Your boobs look sensational,” he says lustfully.

“I bolstered them into this dress; I’m sure they’re getting bigger,” I say, shifting my upper body from side to side and pulling my top up slightly. I had to go up a size in my dress. Hunter and I have done nothing but eat. Florida food was epic. “I’m one sneeze away from popping out.”

“That, I would like to see.” He laughs. “Are you ready?”

“Yes,” I say, bending slightly to adjust the thin strap on my blush-pink strappy heels. “Let me just grab my bag and the girls.”

Grabbing my keys, I head out the door. I slide my red satin clutch under my arm as I watch the girls leave the house before me. Ella is wearing a tight and super stunning to-the-floor black-and-gold silk dress, and Toni is wrapped in a deep-berry mermaid fit figure-hugging tulle gown. Inspecting my hair in the hall mirror, I adjust my caramel beachy wave style that took great effort to do but now looks effortless. How I pulled it off, I’ll never know. I take a deep breath in. “Here we go. Last night together,” I mutter.

With a loud clunk, I pull my front door closed, lock up my house, and drop my keys into my bag. With no phone, I realize I have so much more space for everything in my tiny bag.

Taking my first step, I raise my head and stop moving in shock. Hunter’s standing beside a shiny black limo, in all his tuxedo glory, hands in his pant pockets, relaxed and dashing, just waiting for me.

“My goodness.”

He raises two fingers up in a peace sign. “Two more off your bucket list. Number nine, attend a ball and number thirteen, ride in a limo.”

He wouldn’t be doing this if he was seeing Jess behind my back. Although I never knew Jamie was cheating on me. Detective Wallace, I am not.

“You did this for me?”

“Yeah, baby, I did.”

I can’t help but smile.

Hunter opens the door for me, and instantly the girls scream.

“Are you girls going to be like this all night? You are loud girls. Very loud.” Luke covers his ears as I dive in.

There doesn’t appear to be anything further going on between Luke and Ella, although I think Luke would like that. Ella has said nothing, but as always, she's holding back.

On the other hand, Toni and Evan have become really close. Toni’s been really sad these past few days. I think she feels the same as I do as the inevitable departure.

Happy endings are not for everyone.

Taking it all in, the smell of the leather, the popping of the champagne, giggling from the girls, my handsome man. I want this night to last forever. In a time loop, I don’t want to move on to the next twenty-four hours. I’d like to stay here.