Lennon: I guess I have you to thank, Soph…texting Hunter to ignore my text messages and all…he came barging home at 3am demanding I explain myself!
Sophie: OMG… FINALLY! Tell me everything!
Maddie: Did you go two finally go to pound town?!
I snort at her bluntness.
Lennon: OMG, Maddie.
Sophie: WELL?
Lennon: YES OKAY! Several times. It was…
I lose myself in thoughts of him and chuckle when I read their messages.
Maddie: What? TELL US!
Sophie: …hello?
Lennon: It was amazing! HE is amazing. It felt so right and being able to finally say that I love him just makes my heart burst out of chest. Is that cheesy?
Maddie: AWWWW
Sophie: About damn time! Lord! I was starting to get sympathy blue balls for him!
Lennon: OMG…you two are insane. But thanks for helping me through last night. I never knew I could feel this happy again. I know it’s super new and fresh, but it’s Hunter. He makes me feel so loved and comfortable in my own skin.
I almost tear up thinking about how tender and loving this man is and how I can’t possibly deserve a guy like him.
Sophie: Stop, I’m gonna cry!
Lennon: HA!
Maddie: Liam and Mason owe me $100 now. #BOOM!
Sophie: Ooh me too! $100 richer baby!
Lennon: You two bet on if we’d hook up?
I roll my eyes, but I’m not even surprised with them.
Sophie: No, we bet WHEN. They totally lost.
Maddie: I’m gonna make them pay up so hard!
Lennon: Okay, well you four have fun in your weird non-relationship relationships. I’m going to finish cooking breakfast so I have lots of energy for later…
Maddie: EW
Sophie: Double ew
Sophie: But we still love you!!
Maddie: Yes! And so so happy for you guys!
Lennon: Love you too! Chat soon! MWAH
I hear Hunter shout my name over the water streaming, and when I walk inside, I’m slightly blinded by the sight.
Well, fuck me. Again.
“Did you call me?”
“Yeah, sorry. I ran out of body wash and have an extra bottle on my dresser. Would you mind grabbing it for me?” he asks.
“Sure, one second.” I tilt my head to the side, trying to sneak a look.
“You can join me, if you want…” Hunter taunts with a lazy grin. “Sing to me in the shower while I fuck you from behind.”
“Oh my God, you’re insatiable.”
His laughs echo as I find the willpower to move my feet and walk into his room. I know the brand he uses, but I don’t see anything on his dresser. Hunter isn’t exactly organized, so I decide to check his drawers. Nothing. Hmm. I check his desk and closet next. Then I remembered his nightstand is basically a kitchen’s version of a junk drawer and look there. I dig around, moving random things around, and when I see a black velvet box, my entire body freezes.
I know it’s not from the ring he bought me since I have it in my room, but why the hell would he have this? Was he going to propose to someone before everything happened? Jenna?
Ugh, the thought makes me sick.
I shouldn’t look, but my curiosity gets the best of me and before I can talk myself out of it, I flip it open and see an engagement ring.
A princess cut diamond on a white gold band.
It’s stunning.
I start breathing harder, my heart races, and when I pick up the ring, I immediately see an engraving on the inside.
03/18 the day I started dating my soulmate.
And then my heart stops beating.
The words inside the ring nearly make me choke on my emotions. We always talked about our future together and getting married, so when did he plan to propose?
Better yet, why does Hunter have it?
Kneeling on the floor, I stare at it, memories of us flooding in, and all the what-ifs burning in my mind. He died before he could ask me, before I could give him an answer, before we could ever start our forever together.
How could Hunter not tell me? I feel so fucking betrayed.
“Lennon?” I hear him shout from the shower.
Standing, I place the ring back in the box, slowly shut his nightstand, then walk back to the bathroom. He smiles as soon as he sees me, but it quickly falls from his face.
“What is it? Were you able to find it?”
“How could you keep this from me?” I ask, my voice brittle. Tears form in my eyes at how this changes things. I hold out my hand to show him the velvet box as my face hardens.
Hunter blinks, then looks at it, and as soon as the realization hits, he shuts off the water. “Lennon.” He says my name so softly, almost as if it pains him.
I turn and walk to my bedroom, slamming the door behind me. It doesn’t do a damn thing because Hunter immediately barges in.
“Lennon, wait. I know you’re upset…”
“Upset?” I turn and face him, my voice goes up an octave. He’s drenched with a towel wrapped haphazardly around his waist, water droplets fall from his chest. I snap my eyes back to his. “How could you not tell me Brandon was planning to propose? How could you keep this ring and not tell me after everything we’ve been through?” I don’t realize tears are falling until I taste salt. I hate that I get emotional so quickly and wipe them away as fast as I can.