"You need to do this, Scott."

"Like hell I will."

"You will."

"Oh yeah, who's gonna make me?"

"I will."

"How? You're five foot two."

"Size has nothing to do with it."

"Said no woman ever."

Hanna glared at my brother from her impressive five foot two height. She managed to look down her nose at him, like he was a misbehaving adolescent. Which, to be fair, was exactly how he acted.

We were in Scott's house. His living room, to be exact, where Scott and Hana were having a stand off.

The subject of the argument was getting Scott to appear friendly with Hunter in a public set up.

At this point, the theories in the media about the two were so rampant, it was getting ridiculous. People really had nothing better to do. Or maybe it was because the altercation was the closest thing to a fight Hunter had had in the past two years, and people were just dying to see him fight at this point, wether it ne inside the cage or out.

"Hana's not going to win this, is she?" Jason whispered next to me.

I scoffed. "She totally is."

"Five bucks?"

"You're a millionaire," I told Jason. "A hundred bucks."

"Deal."

I nodded and leaned my head against his shoulder. This was going to take a while.

"So, I heard you're moving teams," I told Jason as Hana said something, pointing her dainty finger at Scott's chest.

"Scott can't keep his mouth shut," Jason grumbled.

I snorted. "If you wanted to keep it a secret, why did you tell Scott?"

He made a face. "A moment of weakness. Besides, it's not a sure thing yet." He turned his head and fixed me with his honey colored eyes. "Enough about me. I heard you and Jamison are getting chummy."

"We're not getting chummy," I grumbled. "We just... talked."

"You talked."

"Yes. About everything that happened back then," I told Jason. "Why he left and stuff."

It was always easier to talk to Jason about the past. I didn't know why. Maybe because we'd both been heartbroken at that time in our lives.

"And?" Jason asked, turning to look at me.

"And what?"

"Well, you talked. What's next?" Jason asked.

"Nothing. He's treating his pets in my clinic, so I'll be seeing him more frequently," I said, then gave him a look. "Don't tell Scott that."

Jason grinned. I jabbed my elbow in his side. "I'm serious, Jason. Do not tell Scott."

He huffed a laugh. "Fine."

"Anyway, we're just... friend."

Jason squinted at me. "Friends. Are you sure you can be just friends?"

"Yes, I'm sure." No, I really wasn't.

Jason gave me a dubious look, but Scott spoke before he could call me out on my bullshit.

"Alright, fine!" Scott threw his hands up. "I'll meet the fucker!"

I held up my palm under Jason's nose and wiggled my fingers. "A hundred bucks. Pay up."

He huffed, pulled out his wallet and put a hundred bucks in my palm.

I didn't know how she did it, but Hana convinced my stubborn brother to act friendly around Hunter, just the time it would tale them to snap a few pictures together. Their press teams would invent some heartwarming story about their fight. And everything would be right in the world again.

After my visit to convince Scott, though I did very little convincing, I headed to the gym.

I couldn't stop the butterflies in my stomach, knowing I might see Hunter again. He had an appointment for Tux in a few days, and I'd agreed to go with him to his friend's place, yet I still wanted to see him before that.

Jason's words echoed in my head as I rode the elevator up to the gym.

"Are you sure you can be just friends?"

Whatever. I was an adult. I could control myself, thank you very much. Maybe I liked Hunter. But I liked sweet chocolate as well, and I hadn't had one in years. I had enough confidence in my self-control.

The reception desk of the gym was manned by the same woman and her two kids. The young siblings, sitting on either side of their mother, perked up when they saw me.

"Hey! Jamison is already here!" The girl said. Her mother shot her a look. The girl quieted down.

"Thanks," I told the eager girl then turned to her mother. "About the membership-"

"It's already taken care of," the boy said before his mother could open her mouth. "Jamison paid for the entire year."

The mother covered her eyes with her hand. I felt sorry for her. Judging by her reaction, Hunter must have told her to keep it a secret.

"Um, is that so? Very nice of him," I said, giving the mother a smile. It wasn't her fault Hunter was poking his nose in my business. She looked a little relieved. "So is there any paper work I have to take care of?"

"Yes, please."

I took care of it and went in. I spotted Hunter right away. He was beating the crap out of a punching bag, lost to the rhythm of his punches. His hair stuck to his forehead and neck, his skin glimmering with sweat under the bright lights.

I made my way to the locker room, then did a quick warm up in the next room. When I finally made my way to the fighting space, Hunter was pouring a bottle of water down his throat.

He spotted me as I slipped on my boxing gloves and the scowl on his face immediately smoothed out.

My heart fluttered.

Stop. Don't flutter. We're just friends. Friends aren't supposed to make you flutter, you idiot.

"Hey," Hunter said, weaving closer. The gym was decently busy. It was a big space, though, so it didn't feel crowded. "I didn't think you were coming."

"I dropped by Scott's place. That's why I'm late," I said. "He agreed to the little scheme your PR teams came up with."

Hunter raised his eyebrows. "Yeah? I didn't think he would."

"His PA can be very persuasive," I told him.

He smiled and pushed his hair back. I followed the motion of his fingers through his hair. He was wearing a loose tank top, and those corded arms made my stomach flutter.

Stop fluttering!

I cleared my throat and looked around the gym.

"I didn't get the news yet," Hunter said.

I hummed. "I'm sure your little girlfriend will tell you soon."

He raised on eyebrow. Ugh. Why did I have to sound like a jealous ex. Maybe because I was?

"Anyway!" I said before he could respond. "I'm going to throw some punches."

"Want me to hold mittens for you?"

"I'm just going to use the punching bag. Don't you have anything better to do?"

"No," he replied instantly.

I huffed. "Fine. Make yourself useful."

He grinned and went to get the mitts. As I looked around, my eyes fell on an older man speaking to a couple of guys near the rings. He was the same person Ava had been talking to the other day. His face finally clicked.

Antonio.

He was already looking at me. I gave him a nod and looked away. I couldn't help my dislike for the man. In my unreasonable mind, he was the one who'd taken Hunter away.

It wasn't fair, but I didn't have the will nor a reason to change my mind about him. Which shouldn't be a problem since I wasn't going to deal with him anyway.

Hunter reappeared with boxing mitts, and we began. The strain on my muscles soon blanked away any thoughts of Antonio or Ava or Hunter. Sweat dampened my t-shirt and dripped down my chin and the back of my neck. That felt so good.

"Break," I mumbled, breathing heavily. I shoved my hair back.

Hunter wiped his forearm over his forehead.

I ditched the boxing gloves to drink water and fix my hair. It was getting long again. "I should really get it trimmed," I mumbled to myself.

Hunter followed my hand as I gathered my hair into a ponytail. "You don't like it long anymore?" he asked.

"I don't want to get attached to it."

I regretted the words as soon as they left my mouth. Hunter frowned. I cleared my throat and pulled on my gloves again. "Let's go, Jamison. We don't have all night."

His lips twitched up and we started again. I noticed the subtle shift in the gym's mood a few minutes into our session.

I paused and glanced at the door. A small crowd of five people surrounded a newcomer. I'd only seen the man on TV. He looked bigger in person, more good-looking, but his cocky grin and shrewd gray eyes were the same.

He looked around the gym and his eyes settled on Hunter.

"What is it?" Hunter asked, looking over his shoulder. His shoulders tensed as his eyes met Cullen. Aiden Cullen.

The guy who'd almost killed him.

Hunter turned to me, all traces of his good mood vanishing.

"Does he train here?" I asked.

"No. He sure as hell doesn't," Hunter grumbled.

Everyone in the gym was looking between the two men, as if aware of the tension between them. Maybe they were. When I glanced back at Cullen, I found his eyes on me. So he was the man who almost got Hunter killed. The bastard. I wished I could use him as a punching bag.

Cullen's gaze trailed down my body very slowly. Disgusting pig.

I didn't give him the pleasure of knowing he got me, so I looked away before he could finish.

"Let's go," I said, punching Hunter's arm. "We don't have all night."

He sighed and raised the mitts. Imagining Cullen's face on the mitts helped invigorate my punches. It was like I got a booster shot. Hunter and I fell into the demanding routine, forgetting all about our surroundings and Cullen.

"Well, if it isn't Hunter Jamison."

Hunter and I stopped and looked to the side. Cullen stopped next to us, looking between the two of us with a smile. "You're a personal trainer now?" he asked, switching his gaze to me. "Not that I blame you."

Hunter stiffened and turned to face him fully. "What are you doing here?"

Cullen smiled. "Just seeing for myself if you're still alive."

The jab wasn't very subtle. Hunter chuckled coldly. "Why? Want to drug me again?"

Cullen glanced sharply at me. Obviously wondering if they should discuss their illegal activities in front of an outsider.

"Still going on about that, Jamison?" Cullen asked. "I was beating you fair and square."

"Sure," Hunter drawled out.

Cullen's jaw twitched. He switched his gaze to me and smiled. It dimpled his cheeks and crinkled his eyes. He just turned on the charm a notch. "If you want to box, you should learn from the best. How about we have a go, you and I?"

Hunter opened his mouth. I gave him a look. I can handle him.

Hunter clenched his jaw and snapped his mouth shut.

"No, thank you," I told Cullen with a smile. "Like you said, if I want to train, it should be from the best."

He was smart enough to understand the insult. He blinked, his smile turning sharp. "A little mouthy, aren't we?"

Hunter stepped between us, covering me partly from Cullen's view. "Go home, Cullen."

Cullen raised his brows. But he took a step back and nodded. "I'll see you later, Jamison."

With one more glance my way, he stalked out.

"He's just going to go home?" I asked. "Are you like, the owner of the gym or something?"

Hunter turned to me and raised the mitts. "Wanna finish?"

"Oh my God, you are," I said. "Why didn't you say anything?"

He shrugged. "It doesn't matter. I just thought you'd feel more comfortable coming here if you didn't know."

"You've gotten sneaky, Hunter Jamison. You've gotten really sneaky."

He smiled. "You're not mad?"

I rolled my eyes. "No, I'm not mad. But you need to stop hiding things."

"This is the last thing, I promise. You know everything." He hesitated. "You need to stop hiding things, too."

I stiffened. "What do you think I'm hiding?"

He cocked his head to the side. "I don't know. But there's something..."

I sighed and punched my fists together. "Let's finish."

Opening that can of worms was not in my plans for the night.

I was being unfair, asking him to be forthcoming and truthful about everything while I hid things from him.

I should tell him about it. I had to. It was only fair. He had to understand the reason why I couldn't be with him, the reason why I had changed my diet, the reason why I didn't want to get attached to my hair. The reason I would never have a child of my own.

*** **** ***

"How do you know where I live?" I asked. "Are you stalking me, Jamison?"

Hunter smiled. He was dressed in a plain gray t-shirt and jeans underneath a leather jacket. His hair brushed the collar of his jacket, and his eyes looked dark under the dim light of the hallway right outside my door.

Tonight, Scott's team held a party, and it was agreed upon that this would be a nice opportunity for him and Hunter to mend things up, at least for appearance's sake.

"I asked Stefan," Hunter replied.

I frowned. Hunter's eyes peeked over my shoulder. My apartment wasn't a mess, thankfully. Still, letting him in made me feel vulnerable. As if he would see more than I wanted him to.

But I couldn't possibly keep him in the hallway. His face was recognizable.

I pulled the door wider and waved him in. "How did you get in, anyway?" I asked, closing the door. "Someone should ring you up."

"The concierge recognized me," he replied, stopping right inside and looking around.

"He let you in just because you're a celebrity?" I walked past him to the kitchen and turned on the kettle. I turned to see the face he made. I chuckled. As expected, he hated being called a celebrity.

"Which isn't very safe," he said. "You should consider moving to another place. Somewhere with a high wall and a big house, two dogs and a cat."

I shook my head. "Very funny. I guess you and Stefan are still in touch, hmm?"

He tucked his hands in his pockets and gave me a baby grin. I should have a word with my brother, apparently.

"You're going to the party, anyway," he said. "We should save up on gas and go together."

"I didn't know a celebrity such as yourself worries about gas."

He grunted. I took a mug out of the cupboard and a bag of tea. Hunter strolled deeper into the studio. The place looked way too small with him inside.

The corner lamp was on. My laptop was open on the bed. The remnants of my dinner- stir fry- was still on the small dining table. The ground to ceiling glass window reflected the apartment, making it look larger than it actually was.

"I'm surprised you're coming," he said.

"I don't trust you and Scott near each other," I replied, giving him the mug of tea and pointing to the couch. "One of you will end up punching the other, and all of your teams efforts will go down the drain."

The party was organized by Scott's team manager. I wouldn't have attended, usually. Parties like this one were still not my scene even after ten years. But I really was worried about Scott and Hunter.

Hunter sat down, swallowing the white couch. I got my leftovers to the kitchen, put them in a container, stuck it in the fridge and washed the dishes.

"Do you need help?" Hunter asked.

"Thanks, I got it," I replied, feeling his gaze on my back. The clattering of dishes and running water were the only sounds for a few minutes. I wiped down the counter and folded the dish towel next to the sink.

"No pets?" Hunter asked.

My shoulders tensed. "No."

"I'm surprised."

I shrugged, the movement jerky. "My place doesn't allow pets."

I could afford to move to another place. But I didn't need it. When Stefan or Sam visited, we all stayed in Scott's place. It was big enough for all of us. And I wasn't going to get a pet anyway. I wasn't sure I could handle the eventual heartbreak.

"I'll go change and we can go," I said, grabbing my outfit from the bed where I'd laid it out earlier. Ignoring Hunter's probing gaze, I went to the bathroom.

I put on my jeans, tucked in a beige silk shirt and turned to the mirror. Opening the drawer for makeup, I paused. A flash of silk blue in the basket of hair ties. I picked up the thin scrunchie. My mind flashed back to Hunter's bracelet. I hadn't asked him about it. It was usually hidden by his long sleeves, and he didn't wear it while working out.

I was dying of curiosity. But what if it wasn't what I thought it was? Did I even want it to be?

I looked within myself and found the answer. Yes. Yes, I did. I wanted him to have kept the hair tie. The stupid hair tie.

But what if he hadn't. The thought made my heart dip in disappointment.

I put the scrunchie in the basket, picked up my mascara, concealer and lipstick and snapped the drawer shut.

Ten minutes later, I was out the bathroom. Hunter, standing next to the window, looked over his shoulder at me. "Ready?"

I nodded and put on my thick scarf and camel coat. I put on my tan suede ankle boots and grabbed my purse. "Let's go."

I locked the door and, seconds later, we were in the elevator. Did I bring my phone? I looked into my purse. This thing was a maze. I kept telling myself I would organize it, but I never did. Lipstick. Mirror. Wallet. An old receipt. Another old receipt. A piece of paper with a random phone number on it. Where was my phone?

A feather touch on my cheek. I glanced at Hunter. He dropped his hand and looked ahead of him again, tucking his hands in his pockets. The elevator was suddenly too warm, and my heart wanted to escape my ribcage.

Clearing my throat, I pulled my bag up my shoulder and tucked my own hands in my coat pockets. My right hand touched something cold. My phone. So that's where it was.

The elevator opened and we got out. The night air cooled down my flushed cheeks as we made our way to the parking lot. A few rowdy teenagers walked down the sidewalk toward us, fooling around. Hunter stepped closer.

One of them shoved his friend and he bumped into me, almost knocking me down if not for Hunter.

"Careful," Hunter said, fixing the teenagers with his dark eyes.

The teenager turned and opened his mouth. He saw Hunter and sputtered.

"Sorry man," he mumbled and turned to his friends, whispering something as they looked at Hunter.

Hunter kept his arm around my shoulders as we continued on our way. Warmth spread in my veins. I should step away. I really should. But I didn't.

Friends could walk like this too, right? But friends didn't make your heart flutter like a swarm of butterflies.

Maybe Jason was right, after all.

--- ---- ---

Thoughts?

I hope you like it. Don't forget to vote and comment. I appreciate it!

Much love <3 <3 <3

M.B.