On The Rocks

As soon as Hunter’s gone, Keith turns to me. “So Gabby… what do you think about Hunter competing again?”


I take a sip of my beer and appraise Keith. His eyes are almost glittering as he waits for my answer. Somehow, I feel that when said answer comes, he’s going to be poised to strike at me in some way. Glancing around the table, I see everyone else is watching me for my answer as well.

“I think it’s great… if that’s what he wants to do.”

“What do you think he wants to do?” Keith asks, and I suddenly feel Sasha’s interest hone in on my answer. It could be the way she leans further across the table, practically licking her lips over what I might say.

“He’s torn… I think you all know he came back for Brody.”

Keith nods sagely. “Yeah… pretty dumb fucking reason, but I get it.”

“Shut the fuck up,” John snarls next to me. “You have no right to judge his decision.”

“Hey,” Keith says, picking up his drink and waving it toward John. “I’m entitled to my opinion. Just as you are.”

A quick glance around the table, and I see Wyatt with his fists clenched and glaring at Keith, Sasha has her head dipped and a small smirk on her face, and John looks like he’s about ready to jump across the table and tackle Keith.

“Listen,” I say calmly. “Hunter knows Brody will be okay if he leaves, so that’s not something you need to worry about. If he wants to go back, he will, and he’ll figure out a way to make it work. All of us sitting here will support him when he does, so everyone just stop worrying about it. Okay?”

Sasha picks up her drink… some fruity concoction. I have no clue what it is, but it’s a nauseating pink color, and she holds it up to me in salute. “I agree with Gabby. Hunter will make his decision in good time, and we’ll all support it. I think Gabby knows what she’s talking about.”

Her words are supportive of me, particularly supportive of me as Hunter’s girlfriend, but for some reason, they don’t quite reach my truth-o-meter. She’s holding something back, but I’m not sure what.

Keith raises his glass and slugs back the rest of the contents, slamming it on the table. “To Gabby… may she talk some sense into our boy.”

I swear I hear John growl next to me, and I shake my head slightly at him not to say anything more. Keith is on his way to being drunk, and half of what he says has to be taken with a grain of salt.

“He’s a star. He could be a legend, Gabby,” Keith says quietly as he stares at his empty glass. “He passes up this chance, he’s dried up. It’s over for good.”

Everyone’s heads sort of drop over this proclamation, because it’s not something any of us would argue with. We know this is Hunter’s only chance if he wants to get back in the game. The endorsement offers won’t come again.

“Why is everyone looking so glum?” Hunter says as he walks back up to the table. He doesn’t sit down but stands behind my chair, his hands on my shoulders.

No one answers, but Wyatt stands up and says, “It’s getting late, and I have to work tomorrow. I’m going to head out.”

He glances around the table as everyone says goodbye, and I note that Sasha doesn’t look too broken up about it as she gives him a cheerful smile.

Wyatt claps Hunter on the shoulder as he walks by. “Later, man.”

Keith stands up from the table, grabbing his glass. “I’m getting me another drink. Anyone want one?”

Sasha and John both raise their hands, and Keith teeters off toward the bar.

“He’s going to have a hangover from hell tomorrow,” Hunter remarks as he reaches down to my hand and pulls me from my chair. “Now, if y’all will excuse us, Gabby and I are going to take a walk out on the beach so I can have some alone time with my girl.”

My heart sighs. Yes, it’s evident. I love him.