Hate Sober (Love Me Duet 2)

“Squirt, shit. Fuck! Okay, so not the best move. I’m so sorry.”

My breathing’s deep and ragged, but I try to get it under control before I unwrap myself from the standing ball I bent myself into. When I do, Alec’s face is struck with worry as he looks at me.

“Are you all right?”

I nod, wiping the tears that formed in my eyes as I stand. “I’m sorry. I thought I was better.” He shakes his head at my apology and reaches for my shaking hands, holding them in his to help calm me down.

“Don’t apologize to me. Does Gunner know you still get scared?”

I pull my hand back and look at him. “Why would I tell him?” I question Alec. “Do you speak to him now?” I ask accusingly.

He puts his hands in the air. “Only briefly.”

Well, shit! That answer surprises me.

“Really?” I ask, turning around and opening the door to my café.

He follows me inside and laughs. “It’s so pink.” I nod. “I forgot how pink it is.”

“Do you hope you’ll have a little girl?” I ask.

He pauses his steps and shakes his head. “I don’t know. Jacinta apologized for what she did. I’m sorry.”

I shrug. “It’s fine, really.” I walk to my office and he follows. “I do hope you have a girl, though, so I can spoil her with all things pink.” I give him a huge smile.

“Oh, Lord no. I had enough of that with you growing up. All you ever wanted was to wear pink. I’m surprised you don’t now.”

I wave my hand around the café. “This is pink enough.”

He nods his head in agreement and takes the seat opposite me. “I’m not here to talk to you about Jacinta, Squirt.”

I look up at him, my eyebrows pinching together. “What then?”

“Gunner.”

I moan. “Of course you are. You’re here to tell me to stay away again, right?”

“Actually, no. I’m here to tell you to give him a chance.”

My mouth hangs open, I can’t seem to close it no matter how much I try.

Did he just say what I think he did?

No way in hell did he say that.

“I know I’m not his biggest fan. But that’s because I knew who he was. What made him tick, especially with women. I knew all about his weird obsessions. And with you, well… despite what he did, which you seem okay with…” He waits for me to interject, and when I don’t, he continues, “I’ve never seen him want someone as badly as he wants you. I never would have thought he would give it all up for a girl,” he says. “He burned down his parents’ house because you were hurt there. The man gave most of the illegal business away, sticking to the legal part and what he loves doing. I will never be a ‘Team Gunner’ man, but I am ‘Team Everly,’ no matter what. And you haven’t smiled a good, genuine Everly smile in such a long time. The last time I saw your smile was when you were with him.”

“Did he speak to you?” I ask, while his words run through my head. He’s right. What Gunner did to me and how he did it scared me. But I can’t lie and say I didn’t enjoy some of it. He was right about the fact I enjoyed it. The problem was I also hated portions of it. So, it all boiled down to mixed emotions, and still does.

“Yes. After you left yesterday, he came by.” Alec shakes his head. “He has some nerve coming to my house.” He smirks. “But I also saw him for who he used to be before he became who he is today. That was the kid I became friends with. And I can see all he wants is to make everything better with you.”

“It’s not so easy.”

“Oh yeah, I know. You make him work for it, Everly. And make him work hard.” Alec stands and winks. “Gunner always gets what he wants. Let him know you aren’t as easy to obtain.”

“He already knows that. Otherwise, I’d be by his side.” I smile back.

“And that’s why I love you.” He stills as the words leave his mouth, but I keep my smile in place.

“I love you, too, Alec. Always will.”

He nods but doesn’t say another word as he walks out, leaving me sitting in my chair brewing over his words and what they mean.

Would it—no, could it—be that easy to go back to him?

If the answer is yes, then you bet your ass he will be working for it.

Gunner’s standing outside of my apartment when I get home. He’s dressed in his usual attire of black dress pants and a black, fitted button-up shirt. He looks good, but when doesn’t Gunner look good. My eyes travel the length of him and I notice he’s holding onto a bottle of wine as well as a bouquet of flowers. I still when I see him, and he offers me one of his dazzling smiles when he finally spots me. The beat in my chest becomes harder when I get closer, and when I do, he doesn’t waste any time stepping closer to me.