"You think he really said that about you?"

"Honestly..." I paused for a moment. "I don't know."

Did I even want to know?

"Basically what this boils down to is whether or not you believe Charlie." Abby leaned back in her chair with a proud look on her face, seemingly pleased with her breakthrough in the therapy session.

I brought my glass to my lips. "What a fun choice to make," I grumbled before taking a long sip.

I let my eyes wander the space of the low-lit bar as Abby continued her evaluation of my current predicament. It had become apparent that her new psychology class had given her new terms to diagnose my situation. I didn't mind her digging into it all. If anything I was thankful that she was still willing to listen to this tired story between Charlie, Hunter, and me. I for one knew that I was ready for this storyline of mine to end. But I wasn't sure how easy that would be.

"Hello? Earth to Dylan!" Abby's voice pulled me from my trance as she waved her hand vigorously in front of my face. "What's got you all distracted?"

"I was just wondering when bars started to dim their lights so much. Thought it was only nightclubs that liked their customers to be able to barely see a foot in front of them."

Abby nodded slowly, trying to hold back her laughter. "Alright then..." she said with a hint of amusement. "So do you?

"Do I what?"

"Believe Charlie?"

I placed my glass back down onto the wooden table. "I guess..."

Abby snorted. "Oh wow, that sounded convincing, Dyl."

I propped my elbows up onto the surface, letting my chin rest against the palms of my hands. "That says something... doesn't it."

"From my professional opinion, yes."

"Okay, shrink, calm down," I said with a smile, rolling my eyes, "I just don't know why I have this doubt."

"Well, maybe it's because you've seen the good in Hunter..." Abby paused to sip her drink, "Or maybe, it's because deep down you know there's something off about Charlie... I mean, I know there's something that rubs me the wrong way about him."

"What are you talking about Abs?" I questioned with a laugh, "You haven't even met the guy."

"Exactly!" She exclaimed, dramatically slamming her drink against the table, "Now why is that? Why would someone not want to meet me? I'm fucking amazing!" Abby leaned forward, dropping her voice to a whisper, "Do we really know for certain if Charlie even hit him? Maybe he did just fall and created this whole story up!"

"Ok, you went from slightly off in the head to just completely crazy."

Abby leaned back in her chair. "I resent that comment," she said, holding up her empty glass, "And I demand an apology in the form of a refill."

"That seems fair," I lied, but knew I would end up losing the argument if I tried.

Grabbing the two empty glasses, I got up from my chair and walked over to the bar. Thankfully the darkened room did not also have a large crowd. Otherwise, I wondered if I would ever make it through.

"Two vodka sodas, please," I ordered from the bartender as he had just finished serving another customer.

I let my mind wander, distracted by the faint song playing in the distance as I waited for my drinks. Could Abby be right? Could Charlie have made everything up? Surely he wasn't as mad as that made him sound. But, maybe, like many others, I was too quick to assume and believe only the good I saw in people.

"Hi, Dylan," the sound of his voice spoke from behind me.

I could feel the hair on the back of my neck stand. I did my best not to give in to the temptation of looking over at him as he moved to the side, taking his usual position of leaning against the bar.

"Ignoring me now?"

"Trying to," I let the words escape from under my breath as I kept my eyes fixated on the bartender, whose activities of pouring drinks were becoming increasingly boring to watch. "Are you stalking me now or something?"

"No, this is purely a coincidence," Hunter said nonchalantly, "How have you been?"

Stay strong, Dylan. Just keep ignoring him.

"You know, I've been a little preoccupied these days," Hunter spoke in a low tone, "Every time I try and get some work done I just keep thinking about that other morning," he continued, "You know, in the kitchen, when you foolishly mistook me for someone else..."

Don't give in, Dylan.

"Sometimes I'll just be trying to do the simplest thing, but then I get distracted by that moan-"

I snapped my head to the side. "What do you want, Hunter."

A grin spread across his lips, as he stood with a smug look, knowing he had won and achieved his goal of making me crack.

"I want to talk."

"You are talking," I stated, turning my attention back to the bartender.

"I want to talk privately."

"Tough."

Hunter leaned forward against the bar. "Why? Worried I'll be able to get you moaning again?"

I attempted to shield the look of disbelief on my face as I looked back at him. At a loss for words, I was more grateful than the bartender would have ever imagined for the drinks he placed in front of me. I quickly paid, telling the man to keep the change in hopes that it would allow for a faster escape from this hell of a situation I had ended up in.

Picking up the glasses, I turned to head back to the table. A large knot began to twist in my stomach as I felt his presence behind me as I walked.

"Took you long enough!" The smile from Abby's face quickly disappeared as she noticed Hunter, "What the..."

"Don't ask," I groaned as I sat down.

Hunter pulled a chair up to the table. "Abby, good to see you again."

Abby sat dumbfounded as she kept her gaze fixated on him. "Dylan..." she said with a cautious tone, "Care to explain what the fuck he is doing here?"

"I wouldn't-"

"Actually," Hunter interrupted, "I was hoping to borrow her for five minutes to chat."

"And I already said no, which you clearly can't comprehend," I spoke with obvious annoyance, "Besides, I'm not leaving Abby to sit alone."

Hunter nodded, "Of course," he said before turning his attention to my friend, "Abby, would you mind if I borrowed Dylan to chat? I would be happy to foot your bill for the rest of the night in return."

As Abby's eyes seemed to sparkle in interest hearing the proposal of free drinks, I knew she had become a lost cause as my defence.

"If Dylan actually wants to hear what your asshole mouth has to say, then I'm fine with it."

Well, at least she still had some of her edge left in her.

"Fine," I stood once again from my seat, "If five minutes is all it will take to get you to go away, then five minutes it is. And that's it."

Hunter stood, appearing to be delighted that I had finally caved. I followed Hunter from behind as he led the two of us towards the back of the bar, then turned down a hallway. Soon, we stood in front of an unmarked door, which he opened with the use of the key.

I stepped into the room and looked around the office. It was simple. There was a desk with a computer, filing cabinets against the far wall, no windows, and a lamp that provided the only source of dim light. Hunter closed the door as he entered. He didn't lock it, which I made a mental note of if I needed to attempt a quick escape.

The two of us stood in silence until he finally spoke. "Do you still have feelings for me?"

"You can't be serious, Hunter." I did my best to hold back a laugh, "You had to stalk me down, bribe my friend with free drinks, and pull me into an empty office to ask me if I like-like you?"

"I didn't ask that. Don't be a child, Dylan." Hunter took a step closer. "I asked you if you still have feelings for me. You know, what you feel here," his index finger pressed against my chest, "Or here," against my stomach, "Or sometimes..." he voice trailed as did his finger.

I swatted his hand away just as it slipped below my belt. "Are you ever going to stop with these stupid games?"

"Not until you answer me."

I could feel my heart begin to race as he took another step closer. I stepped back in response, feeling the brick wall press behind me. I was trapped. Until I answered him, I was trapped here. And I wasn't sure how convincing I was going to be with my answer.

"No," the word slipped out softer than I wanted. I cleared my throat, "No I don't."

"Prove it then," Hunter moved his hand and placed it against the wall, just above my head. "Kiss me."

My eyes widened slightly hearing his question paired with not only a serious tone but with a matching expression across his face.

"Again, are you ever going to stop with these games? How the hell is kissing you going to prove that I don't have feelings for you."

"If you don't get that look in your eyes after, I'll know," his voice dropped to a whisper, "You don't get that look with Charlie. But I saw it that night outside the club. You had that look that night." His hand moved to the side of my face, cupping my cheek.

As we stood in silence, I began to wonder if he too could hear how loud my heart was beating. I desperately wanted to be strong enough to tear my eyes away from his. But I couldn't.

The Hunter that stood in front of me didn't resemble the one that appeared at the bar just a few moments ago. The one who used every crude line he could think of to get a reaction from me. Instead, I saw the one that I had first met. The one who drove me insane with desire and care all at once. The one who used to bring me coffee at the library, and sit with a random book as I studied until three in the morning. The one who would drive me to a random location and force me to sketch when my inspiration was low. The Hunter that was vulnerable with me as much as I was with him.

If I had a look that he seemed to know so well, he had one too. And that look was one that I caught sight of at this moment.

"Kiss me," his voice repeated, his lips brushing against mine.

Every part of me wanted to give in, to play his stupid game. But the fear of kissing him resulting in the truth no longer being able to be ignored was enough to stop me from doing so.

I pressed my hands against his chest, stopping him from leaning in any further. "I can't."

Hunter's words to Charlie rang through my head.

"I can't, Hunter," I repeated, pushing against his chest.

Hunter stumbled back, the light illuminating his face.

"Oh my god," I let escape under my breath as I noticed the markings on his face. The slight bruising on the outer top corner of his eye, paired with the small amount of swelling that remained on his bottom lip. "He really did hit you."

"Charlie told you?" Hunter spat, stepping forward and removing himself from the light.

I nodded. "Yeah, he told me everything."

Silence fell over the two of us. The knot formed in my stomach, as the beating of my heart now began to race over what I had hoped wasn't the truth. Even in the darkness, I could see the tension quickly releasing from his stance, and for a split second, I thought Hunter was about to put my worries to rest.

"Look, Angel, I didn't mean what I said-"

"You didn't mean it?"

"No, I didn't," his voice was firm as I took a step back from him, "You know I would never mean that."

I was at a loss for words. Charlie was telling the truth. Hunter had said what I had wanted so desperately to believe was a lie. Turning for the door, I quickly left the room, unable to look at him any longer.

"Dylan, wait!" Hunter's voice called out.

I ignored him as I walked down the hallway. There was nothing he could say that could make me stop.

"I love you!"

Well, there was that. Those three words caused my body to come to a complete halt.

"I love you, Dylan," he repeated, his footsteps drawing closer to where I stood.

I slowly turned around to face him. "Don't start with that bullshit now, Hunter."

"It's not bullshit, I'm telling you the truth."

"No, you're not!"

"I promise you I do-"

"No, you don't! And do you know how I know that?" I knew my anger had not only taken over my tone, but the words that were coming out, "I know you don't love me because if someone ever asked me what you used to mean to me, I would never say that you were some pathetic, clingy one-time fuck that never got the hint."

I paused for a moment, unable to read the expression that was across Hunter's face.

"Because that's what you said about me, isn't it? Oh but I get it, you didn't mean it. Well, that just makes everything ok then, doesn't it?"

"Angel..." his voice whispered in desperation.

"Stop," I pleaded, closing my eyes as I took a deep breath to calm the rush of emotions. "No, you don't love me, Hunter." I shook my head as I slowly looked back to him, "You love playing with me. You love manipulating me. You love the games, Hunter. But you, Hunter Grayson, do not love me. And honestly, I don't know if you ever did."

^ that's how i felt writing the end of this chapter

ANYWAYS. what did you guys think? hunter really said it :O yikes!

please vote&comment if you enjoyed!! <3 i love hearing from you guys. i

ok, toodles for now my angels xo