Page 95

“Got the snacks?” My lips curved into an all-knowing smirk from the passenger side before we took off and hit the road.

“I wouldn’t dare forget.” Hunter winked, nodding his head to the backseat.

When my eyes landed on the red box of my favorite cheesy crackers, I couldn’t help the smile that took over my face.

Unlike our last road trip, this time, Hunter wasn’t just the hottest guy I’d ever laid eyes on that I was trying my best to avoid catching feelings for. He was my boyfriend. And instead of the anxiety that took over my body as we grew closer to the state prison, this time, I was filled with pure excitement.

Hunter was about to meet my brother for the first time, and there was something about that thought that warmed me from the inside out.

After weekly calls and letters back and forth, it was as if me and Logan could pick up where we left off. There had been a weight off my shoulders for months now. Since I’d forgiven him for his past mistakes, moved on, understood he wasn’t the same man he once was in Colorado, and people can in fact change, it had only helped our relationship grow.

Even with our relationship being from afar, it was better than the years I’d spent harboring old feelings that I never let see the light of day. He sat behind bars, appreciating the fact that he’d gotten a second chance with me, and I tried not to focus on all our lost time, but instead to cherish the new memories we were bound to make.

Since opening up to Logan, I’d been counting down the months until his parole hearing. Even though there was still plenty of time he had left to serve, I hoped it didn’t have to be as long, and I could look forward to the days I was able to have my brother back. Maybe even have him at a family dinner someday.

Wishful thinking.

Until then, road trips would become a staple in mine and Hunter’s relationship as long as he didn’t mind me playing passenger princess, controlling the music, demanding road snacks, and requesting that he pull off at that old shitty motel for a quickie from time to time.

With each sign that passed, counting down the miles until our arrival, I began to grow more antsy the closer we got. But I wasn’t the only one.

“Why do you look like you’re about to puke?” I swore I spotted a shine to Hunter’s forehead when he abruptly turned his head to face me. Sweat formed, darkening his sandy blond strands, and the deer in headlights look had been a dead giveaway that he looked unsettled.

“I’m about to meet your brother for the first time.” Hunter adjusted the air vents to face him. “Guess I’m a little nervous.”

“A little?” I giggled. “What’s there to be nervous about?”

“Honestly, I couldn’t tell you. Maybe it’s just because I haven’t done the whole meet the family thing in as long as I can remember.”

“Well, you have nothing to worry about. If it makes you feel better, he’s literally the male version of me. Plus, he’s been behind bars for quite a while now. He’s going to love seeing a new face. Especially once he has living proof of just how happy I am.”

Grabbing Hunter’s hand, I tilted my head to the side, smiling at him even though his eyes were steady on the road ahead.

“It’s going to be okay.” I squeezed his hand for some extra reassurance when he nodded in a silent response.

After finally arriving, signing in, and waiting to be called into the visiting room, Hunter seemed a little bit more relaxed now that we’d gotten out of the car, and he had a bit of a distraction with the people watching that surrounded us.

“Andi Brooks and Hunter Wolfe.” Our names were called just moments after waiting.

Just like the last time I visited, the officer gave us a quick search and guided us to the area where we waited for Logan to walk in.

Hunter sat at the table, his knee bouncing up and down as we waited for the officer to uncuff Logan. A smile took over my face when he walked in our direction, and I wanted more than anything to jump up and down, squeal like a little girl, and wrap my arms aggressively around my brother.

Instead, I thought better of it by not making a scene. Containing my emotions, I wrapped my arms around Logan, holding him tight for a reasonable amount of time, appreciating every second I was granted.

Seeing Logan, looking even better—healthier—than he had the last time, only made me realize how much I missed him. Maybe it was the phone calls, all the time we’d spent catching up, or maybe I was extra giddy knowing I was going to introduce him to Hunter, and this wasn’t something I’d ever done before.

Hunter stood, politely waiting for us to finish before he interjected.

“Hunter.” He stuck out his hand, waiting for my brother to shake it back. “It’s nice to finally meet you.”

“You too, man.” Logan exchanged a quick shake of hands before we all took a seat at the cold metal table. “I’ve heard a lot about you,” Logan addressed Hunter, staring at him from across the table with a hard jaw and a look of intimidation in his eyes—one I’m sure he had perfected being in prison.

“Ah. Good things I hope.” Hunter swallowed thickly, and honestly, I was just enjoying the fact that Hunter was shaking in his boots a little bit.

Most of the time, he was as professional as they came. You’d hardly ever see him rattled. He’d always been so good at keeping his emotions hidden. So, when he let his mask slip just a fraction, I couldn’t help but bask in the glory that this internal meltdown he was likely having was all because of meeting my brother.

“Well, there was a brief time a few months back that every time I spoke to my sister, she didn’t quite seem like herself.”