Hunter: Rockstar Romance (The ProVokaTiv Series Book 2) (6 page)

“Not the lip gloss, you smart ass, providing someone else with info about you that might impact you in some way.”

“What’s wrong with being impacted, especially if it’s in a good way?”

“It makes you reliant, I guess. I know most people wouldn’t agree with me, but that’s the way I feel. If someone else gives me that certain feeling I might turn into a junkie with it and want more. Then they snatch it away and you’re screwed, left alone and withdrawing, nowhere to turn. Or worse yet, here those comfort responses. ‘You’ll be okay. You’ll get over it.’” I realized I was rambling. “Anyway, probably doesn’t make much sense to you, huh?”

“Actually, it does make sense,” Hunter said to me. I looked at him and absolutely believed him, too.

“Enough about that,” I said uncomfortably. “I think I understand why you are so diligent in your PSAs about drug abuse. It’s a story that might really impact others, you know.”

“I know, but I’m not quite there yet. I know you get that,” he said to me.

“I do,” I replied.

The waiter came over with our chicken satay appetizer, which was in a puff pastry shell, and it smelled so good, a mixture of cilantro, peanuts, chicken, and ginger that made my mouth water.  Wait…maybe that was the company.

I put one on my plate and took a bite right away, eager to dive in. “So good,” I said. I looked up at Hunter, who was watching me eat. Not acceptable. “Here, try it,” I said. I picked another one up and leaned forward. He opened his mouth and let me put it in.

His jaw tensed slightly as he chewed, defining his chiseled features even more, and he smiled. “Wonderful.”

From there, we ate and talked casually, animatedly. I could not believe how much we were talking about so many different things. Working out, I was aerobic and he was weights. Movies, we were the same, gritty classics like Boondock Saints and Suicide Kings. It was so fun, and not unlike when Jessie, Brynn, and I got together for a girl’s night. Hunter probably wouldn’t have appreciated the comparison, but it was meant as a compliment. I just didn’t warm up to people easily, much less give them a chance to hear me in my rather blunt, relaxed style of conversation.

“What’s the most embarrassing thing that ever happened to you on the runway?” Hunter asked me.

“Well, a lot of times there are little things, there are for everyone, whether you’re doing a local show in the Cities or you’re an international super model like Natalia Vodianova. For me, the moment that stands out the most is the one time when I was walking down the runway, wearing these killer silver stilettos, and I just rolled my left ankle, sending me spiraling down in an ungraceful heap. I screeched and accidentally showed a bit too much under the micro mini I was wearing, and looked down to find the actual heel lying about two feet in front of me. Needless to say, I found a way to recover. I took the shoes off, slung them across my back shoulder and held them in place with my finger, and continued to sashay up that runway, leaning down in perfect model fashion to grab the heel that did me wrong. Then I walked off the stage, not turning around for the cheers I got. To this day, I’m not sure if they were happier that I was off the stage, or that I made it off without having to call in a paramedic.” I laughed and Hunter joined in. What a deep, hearty laugh he had. It was so manly, and I loved it.

“Was the designer there?” Hunter asked.

“No.”

“That’s good. I can only imagine how you would have gone off on them.”

“I did write a letter, though. The shoes were Jimmy Choo’s and I haven’t worn a pair since.”

“Which must be hard. Women love those shoes, don’t they?”

“Not all women,” I said playfully. “And for the record, he makes men’s shoes, as well.”

“Maybe, but they aren’t for this guy.”

“Well, who would have guessed we had an anti-Jimmy Choo shoe thing in common,” I said, raising my freshly filled glass of wine.

“Not me, but I’m enjoying finding common ground with you.”

“Shoes and a love of sex. Any other S’s, I wonder,” I said. My hand reached over and my finger played on the top of his hand, tracing it softly. I breathed in, feeling the heat rise inside of me.

“How about smart?” Hunter offered, turning his hand so it somehow squeezed mine. Tingles.

“Smart, I like that. I like smartass even better.”

The waiter came over and asked if we wanted another bottle of wine. We both agreed that two bottles were enough. We had to be on the set first thing in the morning, and be ready to deal with Dara the fireball. She survived on coffee and Diet Coke, and it made her a nonstop energy machine for the entire time we’d seen her. Even Chaz was staying clear.

It had been such a great evening, I was a bit surprised that Hunter took me back to Brynn’s apartment, not his. It was silly, I know, because we’d both just agreed that we’d better get some rest so we were ready for the morning. Usually, I’d agree. Party time and work time couldn’t cross paths in my career, not without repercussions or having to wear cake makeup to hide it.

“This was great,” Hunter said.

“Yeah, it was. Thanks for inviting me to dinner,” I replied.
Not date,
I thought.

“My pleasure, Trin.” He reached in and hugged me closely, and then separated just enough to give me a soft kiss on the lips. There was no animal urgency in that kiss. It was slow and steady, like a great glass of scotch, leaving an unexpected fire in my belly. “Do you need me to pick you up in the morning?”

“Sure, if you want. Brynn said something about going to the set for a story, though. I’m not sure if it’s tomorrow.”

“That’s right; it is tomorrow,” Hunter said.

I sensed disappointment in his voice, and I felt it a bit, too. “Well, I guess it only makes sense to catch a ride with Brynn, then.”

“Of course. Well, have a great night. Sweet dreams.”

As I walked into the apartment, I knew his eyes were on me, staring at me, and it felt good, but scary. When I finally gave in and turned around, he was already pulling out into the traffic, which had thinned down considerably with the 10:00 hour. I walked into the apartment, breathing in the chilly night air, anything to calm down my jumping hormones. What a kiss!

I pulled out my key and unlocked the door and walked in quietly, closing it and pressing my body against it. I couldn’t get the smile off my face, and I was fairly certain that it was ridiculous.

“Wow, what a night you must have had,” Brynn’s familiar voice called out.

I looked around and didn’t see her at first. Then I noticed that her bedroom was a straight shot to the door. She’d seen me. “It was nice,” I said.

“Mm hmm,” she said, not hiding her amused grin.

“Well, goodnight,” I said.

I went to my room and flopped down on my bed, which released a retaliatory squeak from the sudden interruption of my body on it. I understood how it felt; I needed to release, too. I tried to help myself, but it didn’t work. Alert, alert! Something suspicious was happening.

“What in the hell happened?” I asked, staring around at the set incredulously. Everything was soaking wet, and a disaster.

“The sprinklers went off during the night. Ruined everything,” Dara said, extending her arms out to emphasize her words. “I knew we shouldn’t have gotten this old building, but no, had to save money. Now it’s really cost us.”

“Is the footage okay?” I asked.

“I save that on a back-up that I take home with me nightly, thankfully,” she said to me.

“Because you were worried about something like this happening?” I asked.

“Hunter, get your head out of your ass. I take it home to work on it.”

“Sorry,” I said. I knew it was best just to walk away. Truthfully, my heart sank as I looked around, too. It wasn’t the end of the world, of course, but it was devastating. It’s annoying when you get setbacks on something you’ve been working so hard on. And the schedule…it does matter.

“OMG,” I heard Trinity exclaim from across the set. I turned around, and was immediately drawn in by how beautiful she looked amongst the soggy, ruined set. Something compelled me to pull out my phone and take a picture of her. She didn’t see me yet, which was perfect. In her bright green tank and shorts, she was a bright spot amongst the gray gloom.

Next to Trinity was Brynn, who looked absolutely dumbfounded by what she saw. I heard her ask, “What happened?” and decided to get over there and explain so Dara didn’t have to. Not that Brynn couldn’t handle herself, but I thought Dara’s head might just explode if she had to talk about it anymore.

While I was talking to Brynn and Trinity, Chaz walked through the stage entrance. I stared at him, standing there, and afraid to walk all the way in. Maybe he was afraid it was unsafe, or maybe he was afraid that it would ruin his suit. Either way, he wasn’t budging. Damn if he didn’t call me over and make me excuse myself from the girls.

“Production is going to be delayed a bit, Hunter,” he said.

I couldn’t resist. “You don’t say.” He didn’t get my sarcasm.

“Look, I’m going to try and get this back on track for tomorrow, midday. I have a crew coming in, but it’s a day and a half off for you guys, basically. Will you give Dara the update so she can calm down?”

“You think this is going to calm her down?” I asked.

“I can dream.”

“I think you’re afraid of her. Or maybe of walking through this disaster zone…” I said.

“Both,” he replied bluntly.

“Well, I’m not afraid of either, so you are in luck. I’ll let her know, but she’ll probably call you, you know.”

“Thanks. I’ll be in touch in the AM with an update. I’m out of here.”

He started to walk away and I remembered about Brynn being there. “Hey, what should I tell Brynn?”

“Brynn?” Chaz asked.

“The reporter from The Rift. She’s here to do a story on the song and video shoot,” I said.

“Damn, I forgot all about that,” he said.

I pointed to where she was standing and took a bit of sadistic enjoyment in Chaz’s debate of whether to walk over there, or not while I waited to see what he’d do.

“Call her over,” he finally said.

Normally, I would not have listened to such a statement. It was an order from a guy who was effective, but still kind of a prick. In this case, though, it would be okay. I wanted to have a minute alone with Trinity. I had something to ask her.

“Okay, see you tomorrow,” I said, walking away. He was certainly jumpy, and I didn’t really understand why. It was just a water damaged set.

Brynn and Trinity were talking, and looking around at the set from the sidelines, not wanting to get in the way.

“Brynn, Chaz would like to talk to you,” I said as I walked up. She looked at me, and then back at him. “I guess he’s afraid to ruin his suit or something,” I added after seeing her expression.

She laughed and then walked over to him, leaving me alone with Trinity. I smiled and said, “Great news, we have the day off while an emergency crew comes in to recreate the set.”

“How long do you think we’ll be moved back for?” Trinity asked.

“Maybe a day or two. Is that okay?”

“That should work. I had a message this morning that I have a small gig back home when this is done. It’s supposed to start in a week and a half.”

“Great. We should have plenty of time. So, do you have any plans for today?” I asked.

Trinity looked at me and her eyes sparked up, like a furnace whose ignition switch had been turned on. “Not now, it seems.”

“How about a day up North, maybe do a little bungee jumping and go to a great little restaurant I heard about?”

“Hm, that sounds like it would be fun. I’ve never bungee jumped before. Heights startle me a bit.”

“I won’t tease you if you back out last minute,” I said.

“I would not agree to go if I planned on backing out,” she replied defiantly. Man, I loved her spirit. It was relentless, and she never gave up. Pretty cool.

“Great. I’ve got to get some things done first—how about I’ll pick you up at Brynn’s in an hour and a half.”

I walked up to the door and was greeted by Trinity in the most casual clothes I’d ever seen her wear. She looked hot, and I loved how her shorts showed off her thin, muscular legs, and the way her t-shirt clung to her body. Flung over her shoulder was a small bag.

“Have fun,” Brynn called out as we left.

Trinity put her hand behind her back and flipped Brynn off, without turning around or missing a stride.

“What’s the middle finger salute for?” I asked.

“She’s just giving me a bit too much shit,” Trinity said.

“About what?”

“About you,” Trinity said. She didn’t look at me as she talked. I knew because I was looking at her. “You know how the Brynn types are. They make more out of people hanging out than what people like us would. They don’t see two people just having some fun without making it a bigger deal.”

“Any reason why she thinks it might be more?” I asked. Maybe Brynn could explain this growing feeling inside of me, the one that wanted Trinity around for more than my goodtime party girl.

“Why would I listen to that? I don’t need to hear that shit,” Trinity replied.

I nodded my head in agreement even though I suddenly felt a bit uneasy about where my thoughts were taking me, compared to where Trinity’s were taking her. Was she running, or was she really not as connected to me as I felt to her? Time would tell. For now, I decided fun should be the only thing on my mind.

We were in the car, listening to one of Trinity’s playlists and having some mellow conversation. “I’ve never been to northern CA before, this should be pretty cool,” I said.

“Me either. You know where we’re going?”

“Nah, just going off of instinct,” I replied. “And GPS.”

“It’s good that we don’t have to get back until tomorrow late morning. This is a long drive for a day adventure,” Trinity said.

“How do you know?”

“I was curious, so I looked,” she said.

I glanced over at Trinity, gave her my best skeptical look.

“Okay,” she admitted. “Brynn said it was far so I looked.”

“That was a close one. For a second, I thought my carefree and casual girl was becoming a planner.”

“Not me, no way.”

Then Trin leaned forward and turned up the song that was piping through the speakers. It was Shake it Off, Taylor Swift.

“I never would have thought you were a Swifty,” I shouted over the loud music.

“This song is too good. Who doesn’t like it? Unless they’re an asshole, that is,” Trinity said. She didn’t wait for me to answer and started to sing and dance around in her seat. If it would have been feasible, I would have pulled over and watched her shake it off. She looked great, like she didn’t have a care in the world. Dancing and singing took her to a different place. Admittedly, the dancing place was better than the singing place. Her voice was fairly awful. She had no concept of what good pitch was. So much for my pipe dream of having her do some backup vocals for me.

When the song finished, she leaned in and turned the volume back down. “Have you ever bungee jumped before?”

“I did once in South America. It was pretty fun, after I got over the sensation that my heart was going to explode.”

“You were scared?” she asked.

“What’s the point of doing something extreme if it doesn’t give you at least a little bit of a buzz?”

“Good point. I’ve never been a huge adrenaline junkie, maybe because people assume that I am. It seems that being bold and a bit boisterous is somehow linked to adventure in many people’s minds.”

“It’s a fairly apt description of me,” I said.

Trinity twisted her torso so she was facing me, and I could see her assessing me through my peripheral. “Yes, and no. I think you’re a closet mellow guy.”

“What does that mean?”

“You are into your public image, which is definitely outgoing and boisterous, talking about a variety of subjects that I don’t see you really caring about, truly, but when you’re behind closed doors, you’re mellow.”

“Everyone has wind down time,” I replied. “Surely you must be different when you’re alone, too.”

“I am.”

“How?” I asked.

“Oh, why do you want to know that? That’s dull.”

“I wouldn’t ask if I thought it was dull.”

“Well, I do have one thing I just love that no one would expect of me.”

“What’s that?” I asked. I was so curious.

“I love to knit.”

“Knit? Really?”

“Yeah, something about learning those patterns and the way those needles clack together while creating something really gets me hot,” she said to me.

“Knitting makes you horny?”

“Oh yeah, it’s amazing.”

“You’re kidding with me,” I said.

“No, you should really try it. It’s so amazing.”

“How thick are those needles?” I asked as I laughed.

“Really thick,” she said. Then she was quiet.

I was thrown off. Trinity really was some kind of kinky. Then she burst out into laughter, and I knew that she’d just gotten me.

“I’ll get you back for that,” I said. “It’s a promise.”

“Bring it on, Hunter. I’m not afraid of you.”

We were silent for awhile after that. I loved that Trinity was comfortable with silence. Constantly talking just to talk was annoying, and problematic. Her words, “I’m not afraid of you,” kept replaying in my mind. I knew she wasn’t technically afraid of me, of course, but I had a feeling that she was afraid of what she might feel about me. That’s why she turned everything into a joke, and was so hesitant to share anything that she considered personal. I’d tried to get her to open up, leading by example, but it wasn’t faring so well.
Since when is everyone on the same page as you at the same time,
I thought. It was a good point.

“Here at last! Bishop, just by the Bristlecone Pine Forest,” I exclaimed. I wasn’t that patient of a guy, and to sit in the car for over five hours was a bit trying, but I hoped this adventure would be worth it.

“So, this is it,” Trinity commented. Her eyes were focused on the sign that had
bungee jumping
in bright yellow letters on it. It was pretty hard to miss.

“Unless you don’t want to,” I offered.

“Let’s do it, and get it done with. After that, I am guessing that I’ll be ready for a drink.”

“Want one first?” I offered.

“No, the last thing I need to do is puke on the thing. I can only imagine where that would splatter,” she replied, laughing faintly. I thought it was endearing seeing her actually look vulnerable. Out of everything that life brought, bungee jumping was the one thing that showed it could crack her tough exterior. So far, anyway.

Twenty minutes later, we were staring down at a canyon from on top of a bridge, getting harnessed up, and preparing to take the ultimate jump.

“Can we go at the same time?” I asked the guide. I’d looked at Trinity and as olive as her skin was, she was looking a bit peaked.

“There are two spots,” he said.

“Afraid I’ll chicken out if you go first?” Trinity asked.

“You talk tough, but I sense your fear, Trin.”  I laughed and she frowned. “Let’s do this!”

“On the count of three, go,” the guide began. “Remember, don’t resist the bungee, just go with the flow and enjoy the freedom.”

“Freedom? We’re tied up,” Trinity commented.

“At least you’re used to that,” I teased.

She flipped me off, but couldn’t hide her nervous smile.

I nodded my head to her and commented I was ready to the guide. Trinity said the same thing. I leaned over and gave her a kiss and she was a smart ass. “Hopefully that’s not the kiss of death,” she said. Then we jumped.