Can't Help Falling in Love - Samantha Chase Page 0,65

his offer, Violet. You were freaking out over it because you were seriously considering it.”

Her heart was racing like mad and her hand was shaking as she picked up her mug, but she held it together without spilling anything–her feelings or her coffee–until she was sitting at the kitchen table.

“Okay, fine. I was considering it. But only for like a second! It’s not something I’d actually do! I mean…geez! Come on! It’s me we’re talking about. And once Hunter really thinks about it, he’ll realize it was a mistake, so…crisis averted.”

And even as she took her sip of coffee, Violet knew she was lying–to herself and Katie. Because more than anything, she wanted to believe someone like Hunter genuinely cared for her and wanted her in his life for the long-haul. Unfortunately, life had taught her that she wasn’t enough for the people who mattered–not her parents, and certainly none of her foster parents. She was the girl who was okay to take care of for the short-term, but not enough to want in their lives forever.

Unshed tears stung her eyes, and she stared down at her coffee until she felt a little more under control.

It took a solid five minutes before she looked up. And there was Katie. Patiently waiting.

“You may not believe this, but you are an amazing woman who is more than worthy of being loved,” her friend said fiercely. “I can’t make you believe it, but I know it. You are the best person I know. I wish you had the faith to take this step with Hunter because you deserve to be happy. And I know he would do that for you.”

There was nothing left to say.

Her heart was already in so much turmoil.

So together, they drank their coffee until Brian and the kids woke up. And then moved on with their day.

“You know, when you said you were thinking of expanding the deck, I didn’t think you meant right now,” Kyle said as he nailed the last beam into the frame.

All Hunter did was grunt as he hauled more lumber across the yard and dropped it at his brother’s feet.

“Okay, are we going to talk about why you’re in such a pissy mood? Because I’ve got to tell you, this is not how I want to spend the day.”

“So leave,” he all but growled before picking up another bundle of wood.

This time when he dropped it over by Kyle, his brother gave him a shove that almost sent him flying onto his ass.

It was all the provocation he needed before he charged forward with a head full of steam and hit Kyle with enough force to send them both stumbling over construction material.

“What the hell?” Kyle demanded even as he regained his footing and came back at him with another hard shove.

But Hunter wasn’t interested in talking. He needed to pound on something–or someone–to get out all the frustration he was feeling, and his brother was a handy outlet. One shove led to another and then fists were flying. The first time his hand met with his brother’s cheek, he felt a sense of satisfaction that was almost enough to calm him.

His brother’s fist hitting his face turned that right around.

After that, it was hard to say how long they went at it, but it was his father’s ear-splitting whistle that stopped them both in their tracks.

“What in the world is going on out here?” Dominic shouted before frantically looking around the yard. “Your son is here, for crying out loud, Hunter! What were you thinking?”

“I uh…”

“He came at me for no reason!” Kyle explained–almost whining–and it was tempting to hit him again.

Luckily, his sanity prevailed, and he dropped his arms to his side. Eli was in the corner of the yard playing with his trucks in the sandbox and wasn’t at all phased by the insanity happening over here.

Thank God.

Hunter took a step back and wiped the sweat from his brow but didn’t say anything. Meanwhile, Kyle was going on about being attacked when it was completely unprovoked.

And…he kind of had a point.

It wasn’t his fault that Hunter needed to get out his frustration.

Not that he was going to admit it.

“Hunter, it’s not like you to be so aggressive. What’s going on?” his father asked.

“It’s nothing, Dad. I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Well that’s too bad because you’re obviously upset and you’ve brought it to everyone’s attention, so…out with it.”

“I’m probably going to have a bruise on my face for the wedding,”