Hunter Andrews

4

Hunter Andrews is noticeably soon to leave after taking some phone calls. "Have you already eaten dinner?" He asked.

"I thought, no strings attached?" I teased while texting Bobbie that I would bring a date. I didn't wait for his response, and I added, "But not yet."

"In my defense, I'm just being polite to my new neighbor." He smirked and then he looked down through his phone.

"Very defensive," I rolled my eyeball.

"Whatever," he paused. "How about a welcome dinner? I should treat you, you know."

I know it is his way to get to me, although it's sweet, I already ordered pizza and it is on the way so I told him, "I'm having pizza for dinner. You can join me, actually. I mean, you helped me with my boxes earlier, you know. It's my way to say thank you." Before he say something I squeaked, "And don't refuse because I insist!"

He just shrugged, "I guess I won't refuse. But we are not having just pizza for dinner. I should cook, what do you have?"

"Beyond being polite to a neighbor, I felt so important," I smirked, following him with my gaze as he moved to the kitchen and checked out my fridge. "But remember, I just moved in, I scarcely have anything in the fridge."

"I guess, we'll be having pizza then. But I'll order Chinese too. What's your room number?"

"1-0-4-4," I replied with a smile. The doorbell rings shortly after, "It's here!"

I rushed to the door and got the pizza. The delivery guy made small talk to me that I can't catch up with because I'm just so starving for his little story-telling. I gave him a tip and sent him goodbye. I used the small table in the living room to put the pizza. I barely had furniture. My apartment is so empty so far. I took a slice of pizza and had a bite. Geez, I'm really starving.

Hunter is looking at me, unsure of what to say or do. His eyebrow is slightly raised so I frowned and said, "What? Come on, dig in."

He sat on the opposite corner. I just giggled at how he is so gentle as to take a slice of pizza as if he never tried pizza in his whole life. Then, he is observing me having large bites on my slice.

I gestured 'one sec–' to my hand because my mouth was full and I stood up. I pull the box of alcoholic drinks from the counter to the table. Then, I pulled out a bottle of vodka from it. I made a huge gulp and then looked at him.

"Refill?" I asked.

He gave me his glass so I poured vodka into it. Then I poured it into my glass. I had a high alcohol tolerance because of my ex-boyfriend, Josh. He has a winery and being with him for eight years is a kinda lesson for different wines, fermented liquors, and other alcoholic drinks. It is so rare for me to get wasted by two shots. I guess Josh is my biggest effing lesson.

"I think we just emptied the boxes if you drink alcohol."

"No problem. I've been worried I will throw it away without drinking it. It's my ex's. He gave me a pile of bottles... cheers." I replied.

Hunter raised his glass while laughing. I looked at the box, it was already empty. The bottles are spinning all over the floor. Then, we come to play Truth or Dare. This time, we don't know what we're doing or what we're talking about. It is alcohol.

"Cheers to the exes!" Hunter barely can drink. He is laughing while his glass of vodka spills on his shirt and whining about turning the air conditioner up. He took his coat off and loosened his tie. "It's so hot in here,” he complains.

I can feel the temperature getting hotter and hotter every other glass I drink. I look at Hunter, he is hotter than his jogging attire this morning. I know it is the alcohol, but damn, I'm sweating.

"Yeah, it is really hot." I have already unbuttoned three of my blouse’s buttons. "Can I have the Chinese?" I asked Hunter because I suddenly felt starving. I looked at him and he was fidgety all of a sudden. He is avoiding my gaze and his face becomes serious.

"What's the matter?" I asked him, leaning forward to reach him.

He flinched and said in a deep tone, "Keep your distance... please."

I giggled to see a man nervous in front of me. Josh had never felt nervous in front of me. I teased him by leaning forward again and then slowly crawling towards him. I laughed hard when my head bumped into his chest. It seemed like everything was spinning. I touched my head checking if there was a swell. It's funny because it didn't even hurt at all. I tilted my head up to see Hunter’s reaction. His face is hollow and his breath smells like different alcoholic mixtures. His mouth is half-opened, and there is something on his lips that I wanted to kiss him.

Shit, he's so damn hot.

I bit my lips and stopped myself. I don't know what he is thinking right now but his eyes are fixed on me. I didn't feel thrilled and nervous all at once until I saw him gulp hard and slow, Adam's apple moved as well as his jaw. I crawled backward an instant and cleared my throat. But then suddenly, he reached my hand. I was struck by lightning and lost my strength as he touched my hand.

"Where are you going?" He said firmly with his doze eyes, then he added, "Are you scared now?"

I gulped and found my face so reddish. It is not just the alcohol because I know I'm blushing. I can feel the butterflies in my stomach too.

Fuck. f**k. f**k.

My mouth is half-opened trying to form a word to say to him but no words came out. I don't know how to respond to him. We are just staring at each other's drunk faces. The next thing I knew, we were kissing. I don't know if I kissed him first or he did, but all I know is we can't stop now.