Edited

"And if you're lucky, if you're the luckiest person on this entire planet, the person you love decides to love you back." -Nathan Scott, One Tree Hill

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The coffee shop had been full when Jace and I had arrived. The sun was just starting to set, and it was almost empty now.

"So, all this time. Hunter had been protecting you from Nichole?" Jace's face was tense with concentration.

I nodded slowly.

He sighed. "I can't believe I didn't figure it out sooner. I always wondered why he always came to me and asked me to help you whenever you were in trouble, instead of doing it himself. I could see that asking me killed him but he did it anyway."

I gasped, breathing suddenly became really hard.

"You mean all this time-" My eyes were widened in disbelief.

Jace smiled. "He never stopped caring about you Scarlett."

His large hand came to rest over mine, and he squeezed it reassuringly. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you before. It wasn't my place to tell you, it was Hunter's secret, not mine."

I gulped. Trying to swallow the growing lump in my throat.

"He's a good guy Scarlett. He's a little lost right now. Sometimes all we need is for someone to find us. Bring him back, you're the only one who can."

I looked into Jace's eyes and I could see his honesty. I could tell that he still cared about his friend.

The sound of the door-bell jingling caught our attention.

Every ounce of breath left my body when I saw who it was.

Hunter.

His eyes scanned the shop leisurely until they finally found mine, and widened in shock. This was the first time I was seeing him ever since that incident with Nichole.

The first time I was seeing him ever since I've found out the truth.

Hunter's eyes suddenly focused on something else. It took me a moment to realize that Jace still had his hand over mine and that was where Hunter was looking. A pang of guilt pierced through me. Jace seemed to have come to the same conclusion because he hastily retracted his hand.

I held my breath as Hunter slowly made his way towards our table, his eyes never leaving mine.

"Hey." He acknowledged Jace with a polite nod before turning to me again.

"Can I talk to you?" He sounded nervous.

I swallowed. Something about this didn't feel right.

My legs were shaking as I followed him to another booth. For a moment none of us spoke.

"How are you?" He asked finally, his voice was soft.

"I'm okay." I tried to smile reassuringly, but I couldn't.

He breathed deeply and trained his gaze on the floor so he wasn't looking at me anymore.

"I came here to apologize."

"You have nothing to apologize for. What happened isn't your fault. All this time you were trying to protect me. I should be the one apologizing." I told him firmly.

His gaze suddenly snapped to mine and I gasped.

There was so much pain in his eyes. So much agony.

All I wanted was to take it all away. I started to move towards him but he shook his head, stopping me.

"Stop it." His voice was soft but firm. "Stop apologizing for things that aren't your fault, you do it all the time. You shouldn't apologize for leaving. If it were up to me I would have made you leave sooner so you wouldn't have to suffer as much as you did. None of this is your fault, you hear me?" The fierceness in his voice startled me.

His expression softened, becoming almost haunted. "You shouldn't forgive what I did three years ago Scarlett." I started to argue but he silenced me. "I was young, when Sara told me about Nichole I panicked. I was a fool but mostly I was a coward. I should have stood by your side, I should have done everything in my power to keep you safe but instead I abandoned you, I was scared and I thought if I stayed away I could protect you. I only ended up hurting you and I'm sorry. "

He took in a long shuddering breath. "Please know that I regret every second of it. I spent the last three years regretting it, and I will regret it for the rest of my life. Everything that has happened to you is my fault and I hope that you can  forgive me one day."

I swallowed. "It's not your fault." I tried again but he shook his head.

"Don't you see Scarlett? It is my fault. It will always be my fault. If I'd stayed away from you Nichole wouldn't have tried to kill you. If it weren't for me Ryder's men wouldn't be after you. I tried to delude myself into thinking that I could protect you, but the only person you need to be protected from is me."

I felt like my heart was being ripped apart. I wanted to scream but my lips refused to form words.

He took in a deep breath. There was a slight tremble in his hands.

"I came here today to tell you that I am done. I'm done trying to win you back, I'm done trying to be with you. Staying away from you is the only way I can protect you and I'll protect you even if it costs me my happiness."

His thumb brushed against my cheek and I suddenly realized that I was crying.

"You deserve so much better than me. You deserve to be happy." His eyes flitted in Jace's direction for a moment before focusing back on me. "You deserve all the happiness in the world Scarlett. Jace is a good guy. He can keep you happy. All I want is for you to be happy."

My tears were falling like the rain, I was afraid they'd never stop. I'd never felt heartbreak like this before.

Hunter closed his eyes briefly and winced like he was in pain. "I came here to say goodbye" He murmured.

No.

No.

You can't leave me.

Every one left me.

Mom. Megan.

Not you Hunter. Please.

I knew he could feel the pain he was causing me because he wouldn't meet my gaze.

"I'm leaving. There's nothing for me here Scarlett. Nothing except pain. This place is just a reminder for what I've lost," His eyes met mine briefly "And what I can not have."

"Hunter-" I choked out between sobs but he shook his head.

"I'm sorry, but it's for the best."

His gaze lingered on mine as he got up.

I watched as he turned around and left without another word.

I just sat there, dazed.

"So, you just let him go?" Jace's voice suddenly broke in.

"You heard him." I whispered. "He said that he was leaving."

Jace shook his head like he was disappointed in me. "And you're going to let him leave."

"What do you expect me to do?" I asked him dejectedly.

Jace sighed. "Did you really expect things to be simple? Happy endings don't come easy. You have to fight for them. If you want Hunter ,you need to fight for him. You need to save him from his demons."

His words started to sink in.

All this time, Hunter had been protecting me.

But who'd been protecting him?

No one.

He'd been all alone.

I should have been there for him.

Instead of letting him walk away I should have told him that I'd be there for him, that he could count on me to take care of him.

I sprang to my feet.

Hunter.

I needed to go to him.

I needed to tell him everything.

I ran outside to the parking lot as fast as my legs could carry me but he was already gone.

Jace came up behind me. "He's probably gone home to pack. I'll drive you."

"Thank you Jace. For everything." I told him sincerely.

~~~~~~

"Did you try calling him?" Jace asked.

"Yeah, I did a few minutes ago, but he's not picking up." I answered.

We were parked outside Hunter's house.

"The lights are on inside. He's probably home." I observed.

I got out of Jace's car. "Thanks again Jace." I murmured.

"Hey, don't mention it. Tell me whatever happens, okay?" He smiled.

I smiled back and nodded.

I waved as he drove away before finally taking a deep breath and walking to the front door.

I rang the doorbell twice.

My breath hitched when I heard footsteps on the other side. After a few tense moments the door finally opened.

I already knew what I had to say.

I was expecting it to be Hunter. But my eyes widened in shock.

"Tristan?" I asked in shock. "What are you doing here?"

He looked annoyed. "This is my house too, in case you've forgotten."

I blanched.

I suppose he was right. He was Hunter's step-brother after all.

"Is Hunter home?" I asked finally.

"He left a while ago. I'm leaving too. You can wait for him if you want. He'll probably be back soon." He stepped aside so I could come in.

"Thanks." I gave him an awkward smile before stepping in.

I'd never really spoken to Tristan much. Not even when we were kids. It was mainly due to the fact that he and Hunter never really got along well.

I was starting to feel uneasy.

Tristan leaned against the wall as he studied me. "So what's the deal between you and Hunter?" He asked casually.

"Why do you care?" I snapped. For some reason I felt really defensive.

He raised his hands in surrender. "Just curious. You should try calling him."

I nodded.

I reached into my pocket for my phone but it wasn't there.

"Damn it." I cursed. "I must have left it in Jace's car because I was in such a hurry."

Tristan's cell phone rang suddenly. I could see his expression harden as he checked the screen.

"Excuse me." He muttered as he exited the room to receive the call.

The door was open so I could make out bits and pieces of the conversation.

"I said I will. . . . I don't have it right now. . . . Please just a little more."

I sighed, losing interest.

Where are you Hunter?

I needed to talk to him.

I got up and made my way towards Tristan who was still on his phone.

"Can I use your phone after you're done?" I asked.

His eyes cut to mine and I almost gasped at the desperation I saw on his face. I was about to ask him if everything was okay but he just shut the door in my face.

I sighed in exasperation.

Maybe I should go home and come back after a while.

I was just starting to leave when the door suddenly flung open and Tristan stepped out and gave me an apologetic look.

"That was Hunter." He told me casually. "I told him about you being here, he's asked me to take you to him."

"Really?" My mood instantly brightened.

"Yeah, just wait here, let me start the car." He answered.

~~~~~~~~

"Hunter asked you to bring me here?" I asked in confusion. "Are you sure?"

We were parked outside a small whitewashed house. The curtains were drawn over the windows so I couldn't see inside.

"Yes, I'm sure." Tristan answered quickly. "Wait here, I'll go get him."

He got out of the car and went inside the house.

A few minutes later a figure stepped outside.

My heart sped up.

Hunter!

It was dark so I couldn't make out his face.

I quickly got out of the car. "Hunter. Thank god! I was so scared that you'd leave without seeing me. I need to tell you-"

"Sorry doll-face."

My heart stopped.

This can't be happening.

This has to be a nightmare.

"Hunter isn't here right now."

His face broke into a cold smirk.

"No." I whispered.

Ryder.

****************

A/N: So what do you think about the book so far? ;)

Sorry to all the people who were shipping Scarlett and Jace. Please don't hate me. T_T

Also, I'm done with my Mid-Term exams YAYY!

Suggest some good books guys! I'll definitely read them.