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He would never have a normal life again.
Chapter 12
It was later than Cheryse liked to be out. Eleven didn’t seem late to most people, but Cheryse liked to keep her patterns, especially when the salon was busy enough that she had a lot to do during the day.
She’d had a client from Wilmington who couldn’t come until eight and needed a complete cut and color. She always tipped way more than the service even cost, so Cheryse dealt with the late hours.
As she drove into downtown South Port, it amazed her that the town was still teeming with people. Summers were busy in South Port, and this was the city’s prime time for tourism.
She turned the corner onto Main Street.
Thump! Her car jolted.
Cheryse slammed on the brakes and put the car in park. She threw the door open and rushed around the front, horrified to find Hunter on the ground. “Hunter? Are you okay?”
He was on his back in the road, and he gave her a lopsided smile. “You hit me, Reese. You actually hit me with your car.”
After a moment’s inspection, it became clear that he was perfectly fine, aside from some bumps and bruises. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
Cheryse was annoyed as all get out that she had hit him in the first place. She put her hand out. “Here, let me help you.”
He took it, pulling himself up.
She wrinkled her nose at the smell of alcohol. “You’re drunk.”
“Nah,” he said, and she stepped back when she smelled his breath. “But you should watch where you’re driving.”
“Why did you step out in front of my car? I didn’t see you and I was barely driving that fast.”
He laughed. “I knew it was your white Audi. I jumped in front of you.”
She was floored. “You what?”
He laughed and wiped at his clothes. “Not that it isn’t your fault, mind you. But c’mon, Reese, it’s funny!”
She marched back to the driver’s side of her car, feeling jittery and angry. “You are such a jerk.”
“Well, nice to see you too,” he called out belligerently.
Cheryse could only use the word “savage” to describe this man in front of her. If she hadn’t known him her whole life, she would be terrified of him. He was rugged and built, and the eye patch made him look like he would rip your head off. Ava had told all the women earlier in the day that they had a kid at the beach house who always called Hunter a pirate, and Cheryse could see why.
Hunter threw a hand up. “What?”
“What is wrong with you? Do you know the kids at the inn call you a pirate? Do you know what kind of stress you’re putting on your family?”
Hunter scoffed at her. “What’s wrong withme? At least I’m not still stringing along a guy. Are you going to marry him or not?”
The truth of his words stung. Cheryse glared at him. “I hate you so much.”
Hunter threw his head back and laughed. “You know, it wouldn’t feel right if you didn’t.”
“Whatever.” She opened the car door. “I guess I’m glad you’re okay.”
He followed her to her car door. “I should sue you. Yeah, I think that’s what I’m going to do. Don’t you think Roger would want me to? Since he’s a suing kind of guy.”
“Go ahead. See what you’ll get.” She slammed the door shut and drove off.
