Trying Not to Love You (23 page)

I walked into the pantry to grab a roll of paper towels when Hunter snuck up behind me and wrapped his arms around me. "Merry Christmas CC."

"Merry Christmas." Turning around in his arms, I stood on my tiptoes and kissed him. He grabbed the back of my head with one hand; he let his other hand slide down my sides and around my waist to caress my ass. His tongue brushed my lips, wanting access into my mouth.

"What the fuck!" Mason yelled.

Hunter and I broke apart but Hunter grabbed my hand, started pulling me back in the kitchen, towards Mason. Mason stopped us from passing.

"I told you to leave my sister alone dude." Mason gritted through his teeth.

Hailey came up behind Mason and tried to grab his hand, but he moved his hand away from hers. Looking at me with his jaw set, he was waiting for one of us to answer him.

No one was saying anything. It was Christmas. I did not want there to be a fight. Hailey walked away. Jackson came up behind Mason and put his hands on Mason's shoulders, pulling him backwards. Hunter and I walked out to the dining room, still hand in hand.

Mason walked out a few minutes later and took a seat next to me but didn't say a word. Hailey, who was sitting on the other side of him, gave me a sympathetic smile. Even with everyone seated around the table, you could still feel the tension in the air. Cooper was doing his best to make everyone laugh as he normally did, but not this time.

I couldn't finish my breakfast so I got up to clean my plate and put it in the dishwasher. I needed to get some air so I stepped out the back door. Chloe, who was in the kitchen feeding the baby, came out a few minutes later.

"You ok?" She asked, zipping up her jacket.

"Kind of. I just wish Mase didn't have such a problem with Hunter and me. I don't have a problem with him dating Hailey."

"He's just protecting you; you know how they are. Jackson told me he doesn't like the fact you're dating Hunter either but he would rather it be him than anyone else."

"See I don't get it. Am I supposed to just stay single the rest of my life?" I gripped the railing a little harder, trying to keep myself calm. This was why I didn't want to go to school with them; I needed to live my life, away from my brothers who always felt the need to interfere with everything I did.

"No you're not. They will just have to get over it. You are smart enough to make smart decisions; they just have to trust you and let you live a little. They love you," she tapped me with her elbow on my arm "sometimes I think a little too much."

I smiled at her and took a few deep breathes. "Well, it's freezing out here; we better head back in before they send the search team out for us."

Laughing at me, she linked her arm with mine and we walked back in. Mason, Hunter, Cooper and Jackson were all in hallway when we walked in, and from what it looked like it was a very heated conversation. I walked past them and went into the living room to start handing gifts out.

Mrs. McCormick walked over to me, gave me a hug, handed me a little square box and said "Merry Christmas Sweetie."

"Thank you but you really shouldn't have."

She winked, said, "I didn't," and walked away, I stood there for a few seconds trying to figure out what she meant, before I looked at the card and saw it was from Hunter. I guess he asked her to give it to me so my brothers wouldn't give him shit. I set it aside to open it later when no one was around.

Everybody opened their presents for the next few hours. Mason was excited when he opened Hailey's Poconos trip for next weekend and so was Jaylinn, even though she knew ahead of time that she was going. She played that gift up and I did everything in my power not to laugh at her. She definitely put it on thick. Hailey loved the necklace that Mason got her; Cooper loved the new baseball glove that Jaylinn bought him. Mom and Dad loved their weekend getaway that we all got for them. Jackson and Chloe received a weekend getaway from all of us. We figured they could use it with just having had Alex. Mrs. McCormick loved the Kindle that we all bought her. Hunter and I didn't exchange gifts in front of everyone. I had something special planned for him this weekend, and I had the gift his mom had given me that I would open up later when I was by myself.

Mason and Hailey left after everyone was done to go spend time at her house with her family. Now that they were gone, the tension seemed to be gone as well. I knew Cooper and Jackson didn't like me being with Hunter but they didn't seem to hate the idea of it as much as Mason did.

I sat in the living room, curled up on the couch, watching A Christmas Story. Hunter came and sat with me. He made sure not to stir the pot and sat in the recliner.

Looking over at me he asked "You didn't say whether you liked my gift or not."

Smiling, I told him "I didn't open it yet. I'll open it tonight when I'm alone or if you want, I can open it now."

"No, you can open it tonight. I just thought you didn't like it or something." Hunter said looking slightly embarrassed.

"Anything you give me I like. You know that bobble head turtle you bought for me when you went to the Bahamas' a few years ago?"

"Yeah."

"I loved that little thing. I even brought it with me to school."

Looking around to make sure no one was in earshot, he said, "Do you think Mason realized we aren't going with them this weekend?"

"No, and hopefully Hailey keeps him distracted enough. I'm staying out of his line of sight as much as possible, so we'll probably be staying at your house a lot this week if you want to see me."

He got up, walked over to me and whispered, "You in my bed is something I can't wait to see."

Groaning, I reached up, wrapped my hands around his neck and pulled him into a kiss. Just him saying those words had my skin on fire.

After dinner everybody slowly started to say their goodbyes and I just could not wait to get upstairs and open my gift from Hunter. Finally, around eight everyone was gone and I promised Hunter I would call him after I opened my gift.

I ran up to my room and as soon as the door closed behind me, I ripped the card open.

The front of the card was blank; the inside, filled with his handwriting.

CC~

Hope you like the gift. Open the gift and then finish reading this.

I quickly tore open the box and inside was a necklace with a locket. I picked back up the letter and finished reading.

Now that you have the necklace in your hands, I can tell you that this is my heart; no one has ever had a piece of it like you. I know I don't always tell you how I feel, but with this, I hope you now know. A key goes with it as well that I will give to you later when you are ready for it.

Love

Hunter

Wow, I had no idea he ever paid that much attention to me all these years. I picked up my phone and quickly sent him a text message.

Me – 10:48pm: Love the necklace, thank you

Hunter – 10:51pm: Glad you like it

Me – 10:53pm: Can't wait for this weekend so I can give you yours

Hunter – 10:56pm: I told you not to get me anything having you alone is enough

Me – 10:59pm: Goodnight Hunter xoxo

Hunter – 11:01pm: xoxo

He had no idea what my gift was; I just really hope he likes it. I fell asleep quickly that night thinking of all the things I had planned to do to him.

Hunter and I spent a lot of time together over the week, mostly at his house. Mason and Cooper were pretty distracted with their upcoming Pocono trip and they still had not mentioned Hunter and I going with them, which was fine by me.

Friday morning, I was up early. I couldn't sleep. I was too excited for my surprise from Hunter. I was hanging around the house acting as if everything was normal when my mom cornered me in the sitting room. I hated this room. The only reason I was even in here was to look out the window to see if Hunter had pulled up.

"So since your brothers are heading to the Pocono's this weekend. What are your plans? I thought you would be going with them."

"Oh well, Hunter and I decided to do something else, you know, like give the couples their time together." I said like it was the right thing to do.

"For some reason, I think you're up to something." She walked over to the couch, picked up the pillow and then put it down again. "I know you and Hunter have been spending a lot of time together. Are you guys seeing each other?"

I never lied to my mom and I wasn't going to start now. "No, we aren't seeing each other." It's the truth; we never made anything official. "But we are seeing where things could go. It's kind of hard to have any kind of relationship with the boys always involving themselves in what I do."

Sighing she said, "Come sit with me." I walked over, sat at the end of the couch and placed a pillow on my lap. "Your brothers love you; they feel like they have to protect you from everything and anything. This may be your dad's and my fault for always telling them they had to look out for you all the time. I wouldn't change that for anything baby girl. I know you don't understand now, but when you have a girl of your own, you will understand."

"I understand mom, but I feel like I can't breathe sometimes around them. I need to learn from my mistakes, but I don't ever have the chance to do that with them breathing down my neck all the time. I know they don't like me and Hunter being together, but I want to see where it goes, even if it breaks my heart in the end."

"I know you do baby girl; just try seeing it from their point of view. You're going to be dating their best friend, the same person who they talk to about all the girls they have been with, and all the stupid stuff guys talk about. They aren't going to want to talk about that stuff with Hunter anymore."

Well, if that is the case, then I should be just as upset as they are about Mason dating Hailey. She is my best friend and I don't want to hear about the stuff that the two of them do but I don't go all crazy on them. I try to embrace the fact that they are both happy with each other.

"I get it mom, I really do but you can't help who you like. It just happens. You know how long I have liked Hunter, and now that I could finally have the chance to be with him, I'm going for it. I don't care if it pisses them off."

"Oh MacKenzie, you are my daughter." Mom chuckled. Mom had three brothers growing up as well, so I knew she could relate to me.

"Good, now can you help me get out of here without them throwing a fit when Hunter shows up?" I got up off the couch and walked over to my mom.

She stood up and I hugged her. "Yes, but first you have to tell me where you are going. I don't like the fact you are going away with him by yourself."

"Well that's going to be a problem; I don't know where we are going."

Sighing, she said, "Well, that's a good thing." She winked at me. "Because you're going to love it, and I trust you and Hunter enough to let you go by yourself."

"Wait, you know where I'm going?" How did she know and I could not get Hunter to even give me a clue.

"Yes, now go get your bags before your brothers wake up."

I started towards the stairs before I stopped and looked back at my mom. "Love you mom; thanks for understanding."

She smiled and went to fix the pillow I had just thrown back on the couch. I ran upstairs and grabbed my bags. Just as I came back downstairs, Hunter walked in the door with his mom and Jaylinn.

"Hi Mrs. McCormick." I said when I walked over to her to kiss her cheek.

"Hi sweetie, have fun this weekend." I smiled at her and walked over to Hunter.

My mom spoke up just as we were getting ready to walk away. "Hunter," Hunter turned towards her, "Be careful with her."

"I will," is all he said and those words caused goose bumps to rise on my arms.

When we got all settled in Hunter's truck, I had to start digging for answers as to where we were going. "So are you going to tell me yet where we are going?" I asked, practically jumping up and down in my seat.

"Nope, but get comfortable for a long drive." Hunter said, smiling over at me.

I settled into my seat and pulled out my phone to see if Hailey had sent me a text. I slid it open and saw that I had five texts from Mason wanting to know where I was and why I wasn't at the house when he got up. I decided not to answer him since I was on my own little get away and did not want to deal with his drama. I pulled out my iPad and started reading for a while. I knew we were heading south due to the state signs I saw. We stopped for gas and food after about 5 hours of driving. Once we got back on the road, I fell asleep.