Trying Not to Love You

No one was saying anything. It was Christmas. I did not want there to be a fight. Hailey walked away. Jackson came up behind Mason and put his hands on Mason's shoulders, pulling him backwards. Hunter and I walked out to the dining room, still hand in hand.

Mason walked out a few minutes later and took a seat next to me but didn't say a word. Hailey, who was sitting on the other side of him, gave me a sympathetic smile. Even with everyone seated around the table, you could still feel the tension in the air. Cooper was doing his best to make everyone laugh as he normally did, but not this time.

I couldn't finish my breakfast so I got up to clean my plate and put it in the dishwasher. I needed to get some air so I stepped out the back door. Chloe, who was in the kitchen feeding the baby, came out a few minutes later.

"You ok?" She asked, zipping up her jacket.

"Kind of. I just wish Mase didn't have such a problem with Hunter and me. I don't have a problem with him dating Hailey."

"He's just protecting you; you know how they are. Jackson told me he doesn't like the fact you're dating Hunter either but he would rather it be him than anyone else."

"See I don't get it. Am I supposed to just stay single the rest of my life?" I gripped the railing a little harder, trying to keep myself calm. This was why I didn't want to go to school with them; I needed to live my life, away from my brothers who always felt the need to interfere with everything I did.

"No you're not. They will just have to get over it. You are smart enough to make smart decisions; they just have to trust you and let you live a little. They love you," she tapped me with her elbow on my arm "sometimes I think a little too much."

I smiled at her and took a few deep breathes. "Well, it's freezing out here; we better head back in before they send the search team out for us."

Laughing at me, she linked her arm with mine and we walked back in. Mason, Hunter, Cooper and Jackson were all in hallway when we walked in, and from what it looked like it was a very heated conversation. I walked past them and went into the living room to start handing gifts out.

Mrs. McCormick walked over to me, gave me a hug, handed me a little square box and said "Merry Christmas Sweetie."

"Thank you but you really shouldn't have."

She winked, said, "I didn't," and walked away, I stood there for a few seconds trying to figure out what she meant, before I looked at the card and saw it was from Hunter. I guess he asked her to give it to me so my brothers wouldn't give him shit. I set it aside to open it later when no one was around.

Everybody opened their presents for the next few hours. Mason was excited when he opened Hailey's Poconos trip for next weekend and so was Jaylinn, even though she knew ahead of time that she was going. She played that gift up and I did everything in my power not to laugh at her. She definitely put it on thick. Hailey loved the necklace that Mason got her; Cooper loved the new baseball glove that Jaylinn bought him. Mom and Dad loved their weekend getaway that we all got for them. Jackson and Chloe received a weekend getaway from all of us. We figured they could use it with just having had Alex. Mrs. McCormick loved the Kindle that we all bought her. Hunter and I didn't exchange gifts in front of everyone. I had something special planned for him this weekend, and I had the gift his mom had given me that I would open up later when I was by myself.

Mason and Hailey left after everyone was done to go spend time at her house with her family. Now that they were gone, the tension seemed to be gone as well. I knew Cooper and Jackson didn't like me being with Hunter but they didn't seem to hate the idea of it as much as Mason did.

I sat in the living room, curled up on the couch, watching A Christmas Story. Hunter came and sat with me. He made sure not to stir the pot and sat in the recliner.

Looking over at me he asked "You didn't say whether you liked my gift or not."

Smiling, I told him "I didn't open it yet. I'll open it tonight when I'm alone or if you want, I can open it now."

"No, you can open it tonight. I just thought you didn't like it or something." Hunter said looking slightly embarrassed.

"Anything you give me I like. You know that bobble head turtle you bought for me when you went to the Bahamas' a few years ago?"

"Yeah."

"I loved that little thing. I even brought it with me to school."

Looking around to make sure no one was in earshot, he said, "Do you think Mason realized we aren't going with them this weekend?"

"No, and hopefully Hailey keeps him distracted enough. I'm staying out of his line of sight as much as possible, so we'll probably be staying at your house a lot this week if you want to see me."

He got up, walked over to me and whispered, "You in my bed is something I can't wait to see."

Groaning, I reached up, wrapped my hands around his neck and pulled him into a kiss. Just him saying those words had my skin on fire.

After dinner everybody slowly started to say their goodbyes and I just could not wait to get upstairs and open my gift from Hunter. Finally, around eight everyone was gone and I promised Hunter I would call him after I opened my gift.

I ran up to my room and as soon as the door closed behind me, I ripped the card open.

The front of the card was blank; the inside, filled with his handwriting.

CC~

Hope you like the gift. Open the gift and then finish reading this.

I quickly tore open the box and inside was a necklace with a locket. I picked back up the letter and finished reading.

Now that you have the necklace in your hands, I can tell you that this is my heart; no one has ever had a piece of it like you. I know I don't always tell you how I feel, but with this, I hope you now know. A key goes with it as well that I will give to you later when you are ready for it.

Love

Hunter

Wow, I had no idea he ever paid that much attention to me all these years. I picked up my phone and quickly sent him a text message.

Me – 10:48pm: Love the necklace, thank you

Hunter – 10:51pm: Glad you like it

Me – 10:53pm: Can't wait for this weekend so I can give you yours

Hunter – 10:56pm: I told you not to get me anything having you alone is enough

Me – 10:59pm: Goodnight Hunter xoxo

Hunter – 11:01pm: xoxo

He had no idea what my gift was; I just really hope he likes it. I fell asleep quickly that night thinking of all the things I had planned to do to him.

20

Hunter and I spent a lot of time together over the week, mostly at his house. Mason and Cooper were pretty distracted with their upcoming Pocono trip and they still had not mentioned Hunter and I going with them, which was fine by me.