“Why Rosie?” he asks, resting his arms on the back of his chair.
Shaking my head, I keep my mouth closed. Why waste my breath? He already has me guilty so nothing I say will change his mind. All because Simon knows it was me who overheard what was going on last night. Simon is the guilty party and he’ll be responsible for placing the drugs into my sneakers. He’s the manager here so has access to pass keys. Why can’t they see that?
Ruben is now standing in front of me with a look of disgust on his face as my tears continue to flow. “I can’t look at you anymore. Here’s your stuff.” He thrust a bag at me, which I grab with my good hand. Slinging it over my shoulder while shock seeps through my body, I numbly stare at him, as he continues, “And I never want to see you again. I haven’t called the cops, but I will.”
This isn’t a joke. The man I love—loved—has just torn my heart to shreds.
“Go. Get out,” he says in a hard voice.
As I’m fumbling with the doorknob, Ramon asks, “Do you have anything to say Rosie, before you leave?”
I have the door open now, and Hunter is looming over me with a concerned expression across his face, until he spots the three McKenzies in the room behind me then his features tighten and he suddenly reminds me of a gladiator ready for battle.
Before he can do or say anything, I place my uninjured hand on his chest and turn to face the room. “Yes, I have something to say,” I try to slow my breathing down in hopes it will stop the flow of my tears enough to be able to see them, “You all know me. I’ve been treated as part of your family, and you,” I glare at Ruben, “you, I thought I loved. What hurts the most is that not one of you bothered to ask me if I was guilty. You all just presumed.”
Stepping out of the room and into Hunter’s chest, I let the door slam shut behind me while crying all over Hunter.
“Fuck,” he cusses and picks me up into his arms. “What the hell happened back there?” he asks, kicking the backdoor open with his foot.
“They found ‘sugar’ in my sneaker, which was in my locker.” He places me on the back of his bike. “I didn’t know what it was but they spelled it out for me.” I hiccup. “Hunter, I swear I—” He covers my mouth with his hand.
“I know you had nothing to do with that. I’d have known that even if you hadn’t told me what went on last night.” He places a helmet on my head and fastens it on. “Ruben’s a bastard for doing that to you, and once I’ve taken care of you, I’m going having words with him. There are a few facts he needs to be aware of.”
“I don’t really care what happens, but can you take me back to the hotel. I don’t want Liz or Ed seeing me like this.”
Without Hunter, I’m not sure what I would have done. It’s been so long since I had someone to rely on when I’m in need. My broken heart thought I’d have Ruben by my side always, and that he’d be there for me if I ever had a problem or to kiss away my worries, but not anymore.”
All the way back to the hotel, I cry silent tears while clinging to Hunter. My only hope is that I’m not cramping his bachelor status by staying here with him. Contrary to what he may think, I’m not blind to the glares we get as we walk through the lobby. He shrugs it off. The life of a true bachelor. Love ‘em and leave ‘em.
“Forget it. I wouldn’t touch one of them if you paid me. They aren’t impressed with you being with me because I’ve always rejected them.”
He pulls me back towards his chest. “Rosie, I’m not going to let anyone hurt you, okay? I need you to know that. I’m not going to defend Ruben because what he did was wrong. But one thing I will say is that he knows deep down that you aren’t guilty, but he’s jumping on the excuse because you have him running scared.” He brushes his fingers through my ponytail. “I bet the bachelor who is always used to being free has suddenly realized he isn’t free to act like he used to.”
I shake my head. “No. He told me he was going for it with me and that he was sick of pretending he didn’t want to be with me. Thanks for trying to make this easier, but the fact is his heart wasn’t involved with me like mine was with him.” As Hunter goes to say something else, I stop him. “Please can we talk about something else or nothing? In fact, I could do with a rest. I didn’t sleep too good last night and with everything this morning I’m exhausted.”
“That’s good,” Hunter says ushering me toward his room, “because I want to leave you here for a bit.”
He’s going back to Kenza.
“What are you going to do? Please don’t get in any trouble.”
“I won’t. I promise,” he says, kissing me on the nose. “Get some rest and I’ll bring some food with me in a couple of hours.” Then he notices my wrist. “What happened?”
“I grabbed for Ruben and he knocked me out of the way. I’ll take some Tylenol and sleep. I’ll be fine. Don’t worry.”
“Okay. If you’re sure.”