Chapter 11
I woke up with Deacon and Hunter on both sides of me, still sleeping, so I crawled out from between them. I grabbed my things off of the floor, and before I left the room, I heard a small voice, "where are you going," it was Hunter. I turned slowly, hand still on the doorknob. I cracked a weak smile at him just in time to see his eyes flutter close, and his head to fall back onto the pillow. I turned back around and walked through the rest of Deacon's house, and out of the front door back to my house.
I walked all the way back to my room and laid down. I didn't want to talk to the girls about the events or conversations that occurred the night before, so I didn't say a word as I walked through the house to my room. I went back to sleep for a few hours, away from people so that I could get a reprieve from all of the interacting with others. My social battery had run out.
~
I woke up five hours later; when I came to consciousness, I noticed Deacon and Hunter were sitting on the floor against the bed, talking to each other about various things. I overheard Hunter first, "I don't actually hate you or blame you for anything from when we were growing up. I just wanted to get a rise out of you, but now that I have the opportunity to compete against you for Elise… I will win." I stayed quiet to hear the rest of the conversation, but it didn't work out very well because I had moved when I woke up, and they heard it, so they quickly wrapped up their conversation.
They came and sat on the bed next to where I laid and asked me why I felt like I had to leave so early when I could have laid down in any of the other rooms in the house. In return, I told them about my social battery and why it was below zero. Hunter patted me on my back and told me that they would try splitting their time with me evenly, if they could help it. He told me that he would make no promises that last night wouldn't happen again, but he would make sure it wasn't something that became regular.
Deacon then crawled over to me and covered my hands with his, he whispered to me, "you'll be starting the first part of today with Hunter; he's got a lot to catch up on." I looked over at Hunter who was beaming in my direction. Deacon kissed me goodbye, then walked back over to his house. Hunter sat on my bed, bouncing like a little boy on Christmas morning.
"So, what would you like to do today? Or would you like me to plan it? Or we could see where the day takes us," he rambled on. I laid my hand on his arm to slow him down and get him to relax. He calmed down only a little bit, then quickly went back to bouncing on the bed.
"If I tell you what we could do today will you stop bouncing, you sugar addicted child," I chuckled at him. He nodded, and I came up with an ice cream date, then I got off of my bed and went to my closet to pick out a nice outfit that accentuated my best features. I went into the bathroom and began changing, and I could hear Hunter on the other side of the door, trying to talk to me even though I was sort of ignoring him.
It wasn't like I hated him, but it was a weird concept to be dating both Deacon and his brother. I knew I would start this whole competition out a little distant and wary, but I certainly wasn't trying to hinder Hunter from a chance; especially if he ends up being the right choice. I finished getting dressed and walked back into the room, then sat down beside Hunter. He reached for my face and cupped my cheek, then he pulled my face to him and kissed me tenderly. The kiss sent electricity down my spine.
"Well…" I started looking for the words I needed. "I'm ready to go, are we taking the fancy sports car or my vehicle," I asked. He chuckled at me, pulled out his key ring, and beeped the horn from my room.
"Of course we're taking the sports car, I want to show you off in it, and of course, show the car off," he said. I picked short shorts that the girls had gotten me for my summer wardrobe here at the house, and a nice low riding tank top. I made sure to walk in front of Hunter so he could watch the sway of my hips as I walked down the stairs and to his car. The girls had set up in the living room to plan out their day, then spotted me and gave confused looks. After a second, it crossed their minds what was happening and they started putting the pieces together as I passed them on my way out the door.
Hunter caught up to me in pace and snaked his arm around my waist for the rest of the walk to his car, then he hit a button on the key fob and his engine roared to life. He opened my door for me and helped me get inside the car since it sat so low to the ground. His car smelled like aftershave, but the good kind, and I enjoyed the smell all the way to the ice cream parlor.
Hunter parked the car away from everyone else, then got out and walked around to let me out like a gentleman. He reached for my hand, then laced his fingers through mine as we walked to the entrance. We walked into the establishment, then again, I was met with astonished looks from other patrons, and confused looks because I wasn't with Deacon this time.
We walked up to the counter and put in our orders for our favorite flavors, then walked over to a lonely booth in the corner. We sat there talking and got to know each other a little more. He filled me up with a lot of complements and told me how he could see why Deacon was so drawn to me. He also wanted to see what else there was to uncover about me and see if he wanted to win the competition not only because he liked me, but so he could feel worthy of someone picking him.
We laughed, talked, and messed around for a few more hours before we got back into his car and drove back to the neighborhood. He dropped me off in front of my house where Deacon was sitting on the steps with a gigantic bouquet of flowers for me. I watched as Hunter pulled his sports car into Deacon's driveway, then continued up the driveway towards Deacon. He kissed me then asked, "Was it a good date?" I nodded then we headed into the house.
The girls descended on us like wolves, asking all kinds of questions. "Are you dating both of them?" Claire blurted out first.
"Did you really go on a date with Hunter?" That was Sadie.
"I'm glad to see you taking my advice," Jessie chimed in.
I answered all of their questions and told them about the events from dinner the night before. Their eyes widened and one of them began squealing from the happiness of seeing me step out of my comfort zone. Deacon laughed at the girls subtly, then walked up to my room. I finished answering their questions, then trailed after Deacon up to my room. He didn't want to take me on a date since Hunter already took me on one, so he just spent time with me.