Baby Mine – Hunter & Lennon (Roommate Duet 1)

“C’mon, Hulk?” She pops a brow at Liam who she’s nicknamed The Hulk because he’s huge and beefy, similar to Hunter actually. He was a bouncer at the bar where I met Brandon, and I knew right away why he’d have a job like that. He’s ripped all over.

Liam grunts, hating the name.

“You won fair and square, so I guess it’s earned.” Mason intervenes, pushing off the wall. He doesn’t seem to mind Maddie, or he just feels bad that Liam dismisses her. Either way, I think it’s sweet he acts like a big brother to her.

“Non-alcoholic!” I shout, pointing my finger at him as he follows Maddie to the bar.

He nods and waves me off. Looking at Liam, I see the way his eyes focus on Mason wrapping his arm around Maddie’s waist as they walk away. Mason’s easy to befriend, and Maddie’s a natural flirt, so if her goal is to make Liam jealous or to get his attention in any way, it’s working.

“Look at these motherfuckers!” My body stiffens the moment I hear Hunter’s voice as he rounds the corner and saunters by us.

He walks up to Brandon and Liam, smacking them both on the back as they bro-hug each other. Then he goes to Sophie, hugging her and telling her how good it is to see her again. What the shit? Mason and Maddie return then, and of course my little sister, who’s desperately trying to get anyone to buy her a drink, makes herself known in Hunter’s presence.

Moments later, he leaves for the bar, and I grip Maddie’s upper arm and pull her over to the other side.

“Ow, what the hell?” Maddie rubs her bicep as if I actually hurt her, but she’s practically made of steel from dancing so much.

“What are you doing?” I ask, narrowing my eyes at her.

“Um, being friendly. What’s your problem?” She folds her arms over her chest, frowning.

“Hunter’s an ass who’s only after one thing, and since that thing of yours isn’t up for grabs—especially for him—you need to stay away,” I tell her coldly. Hunter can fuck with me all he wants—ruin my day and parade his one-night stands around the apartment—but I won’t let him spread his toxicness to my sister.

“Why would you assume I’d give it up to him anyway?” She peeks over my shoulder and smirks. “I mean, I wouldn’t be opposed…”

I slap her shoulder, bringing her attention back to me. “Mads, not funny. He doesn’t date or have serious relationships. I’ve only ever seen him have flings. In fact, the girl he had over this weekend while we were gone was prancing around the apartment in a shirt and panties when we got back.”

“So? It’s his apartment too.” She shrugs, obviously not understanding the amount of hatred Hunter and I have for each other.

“First, it was my shirt.” I pause when she bursts out laughing. “Second, he’s a manwhore, and you deserve better than that. Got it?”

She slowly inhales a deep breath before bringing her eyes back to mine. “Calm down, okay? I’m not even interested in him that way. He’s just fun to flirt with and beg for free drinks from. Or in my lame case, non-alcoholic drinks.” She rolls her eyes, which makes me laugh. So eager to grow up when life doesn’t get any damn easier.

“Just be careful, please. Hunter knows how to sweet talk and get his way.” I look over my shoulder and see a chick approach him, and he leads her to the bar for a drink. “See?”

Maddie chuckles. “Stop worrying. I’m a big girl. Plus, guys usually run far away once they find out they aren’t getting to home base.” She shrugs, and I see that same embarrassed look in her features as before.

“Waiting to experience it with a guy you really love makes it that much more special. Trust me.” I pull her in for a side hug. “Plus, no booze or sex during training.”

“Something I’m actually mastering.” We both laugh and walk back to the group.

We play pool and darts for the rest of the night, and Hunter prances over with his new friend. I decide since I have nothing nice to say, I won’t say anything at all. Besides, he makes it a point to talk to all his friends and my sisters yet deliberately ignores me. I can deal with his asshole remarks and digs at me, but acting as if I’m invisible somehow makes me even madder.

Hunter glances in my direction once, his lips in a firm line, eyes unmoving, then shifts away just as quick.

His silent fuck you makes my jaw clench, and I’m determined more than ever to forget his entire existence.

Chapter Eight

Hunter

Almost two weeks have passed since that night the group of us played pool and darts together. I can’t seem to shake the way Lennon looked at me with disgust as if she were reading my most personal thoughts about her. I want to sleep all day, but I’m pulled awake. My eyes pop open, and I turn and look at my phone and see it’s barely past nine, which is late for me on a Saturday. My internal alarm clock goes off at seven each day since I have to get up so early for work.