Hate Sober (Love Me Duet 2)

“Lunch?” he asks me as we get back in his car. He’s been helping out all morning, and not once has he complained or been rude to May. I would say that’s major progress on his part.

“As in a date?” I ask him, leaning my hand on his car and turning slightly so I can see him properly.

He smirks at me. “No, just lunch.”

I nod to his answer, and he drives us to a small café not too far from my own. Gunner opens the door for me and we walk inside, then he slides his hands into his pockets before we sit.

“I really feel like a burger, or pizza, or fries,” I say, not having any clue which one I want. He laughs and gets up to order. When he comes back, I place my elbows on the table as I lean in closer to him. “So, tell me, Gunner… tell me something about you.”

“This isn’t a date.”

I raise an eyebrow at him. “In order to get a date, you’ll have to give me some information to make me want to date you. So, tell me everything I need to know, so I can more easily make my decision.”

“All right then.” As he says the words, two coffees are delivered to the table, and when the waitress leaves, he starts talking. “I lost my parents when I was a kid. Lost my entire life then, and had to move in with my grandmother, who is, and always will be, about business. She groomed me to be who I am, and as it turns out, doesn’t really care for me all that much. Especially if I don’t follow what she had planned for me…” He pauses and I instantly feel bad. I knew his grandmother wasn’t a nice lady, but I didn’t suspect he had any idea. “Oh yes, she showed me her other side not too long ago,” he answers my unasked question.

“I’m sorry.”

He shrugs, moving on. “I met a woman once who threw me for a loop. You wouldn’t believe the depth of blue or the sparkle in her eyes, and how they can hold you in place for so long without her even knowing she’s doing it. She confused me, and made me rethink absolutely everything I am. But I, of course, being myself, fucked all that up and destroyed her.” My hands pull back and I lean back against my seat. “I married her. Made her mine. But that didn’t hold out as I had planned. I figured once I had her, with a ring on her finger, my last name hers, she would never run away from me.”

I shake my head at his words, looking down at my lap.

“I loved her, you see. I was just so blind to it all. She loved me, too, and I knew she did. So, I took her and her love for granted.”

I suck in a deep breath at his words, and when I look up, the waiter comes back with three separate plates. Pizza, burger, and fries. I look up at him and smile.

“We can share, or you can have them all.”

“You bought me all three?” I smile at his words.

“You’re hungry.”

I laugh as I start eating. Then I moan when the pizza hits my mouth, it tastes so good.

“I’m going to try to be a better man for you, Everly.”

“Okay,” is all that leaves my mouth.

“Okay,” he repeats, and leaves it at that as he starts eating.

After a while, he goes on to tell me about his real estate business and how it’s grown so much in the last few months. That he realizes what he’s doing now is what makes him happy.

“It feels good to find what you love doing,” I say as we stand.

Gunner reaches for my hand, but the minute his fingers touch mine, he pulls back as if he realized he doesn’t have permission to do that anymore. “It does, but it would feel better if I had you in my life.”

No words are needed as we get into his car. I promised myself slow with Gunner Reid. I don’t need to run at him headfirst this time. I have time to discover him, and see if this will work. If we will fit.

Love sometimes isn’t enough. I want friendship from him as well.

Pulling up at my apartment, he walks around and opens my door for me.

“Can I come to your parents’ for dinner?” I look at the time, then back to him.

“I have to go in a few hours. Are you sure you want to come?”

He nods then smirks.

“Not a date, though, right?”

I nod, smiling at him. “See you later, Gunner Reid.” I give him a small wave as I walk into my apartment, and he waits at my door before it shuts. I watch him get into his car and drive away.