Free Ice Dreams Part 2 by Melissa Johns Page B

one of the stools. “It’s time for a round of golf.”
    Madison grabbed his arm and squeezed. “I’m so sorry, Hunter.”
    He nodded. “I just want to go home to the beach and forget about it.”
    Carter looked at him. “You might as well stay tonight since we need to clean lockers out tomorrow. We can all head back tomorrow and have a cookout at our house. Get the summer started.”
    Everyone agreed and headed towards the elevator. Alicia and Carter hugged them and they parted ways. Hunter opened his truck door and helped her in. Once they were on the road to his apartment, he turned his attention back to her. “Where’s Mike?”
    “He headed back to the beach tonight.”
    “Is everything ok?” he asked.
    She nodded. “He wanted to give us some space. He figured with the loss, you wouldn’t be in the mood for company.”
    Hunter pulled into the parking lot and turned off his truck. “That was nice of him.” He hopped from his truck and opened her door. “Come on, I need junk food and you curled up next to me all night.”
    She smiled. “Everything will be ok, Hunter. Yeah, it sucks right now but we are heading back to the beach and starting our summer together.”
    He nodded as they walked into his apartment. “Can I get you something to drink?”
    “A glass of wine would be fine.”
    He disappeared into the kitchen. Maddy walked out onto the balcony and sat in one of his cushions chairs. She looked over the city and realized how much she already missed the ocean.
    Hunter came out and placed her glass on the table. “I will apologize upfront if I seem miserable tonight.”
    She smiled. “It’s understandable. I’m just thinking about how nice it will be to head back to the ocean.”
    He smiled. “We can leave early afternoon. I should have everything packed up by then.”
    She took a sip from her glass and glanced at him. He looked out over the city but she could see the stress in his face. He knew that his time was over here.
    He snapped out of it when his cell phone rang. “I need to take this.” He disappeared into the apartment.
    Madison reached for her phone and wanted to talk with Jessie but it was so late that she didn’t want to wake her. She flipped through her contacts and settled on texting Mike. How’s the drive –Madison
    It only took a minute for him to respond. Boring but getting closer. How’s Hunter? – Mike
    He’s sad but I think he will ok. I should be home by tomorrow afternoon – Madison
    Can’t wait, sweet dreams – Mike
    She couldn’t help but smile but quickly put her phone away as Hunter returned. “Is everything ok?”
    Hunter sat down and grabbed his beer bottle. “Come on, let’s go to bed I’m exhausted.”
    “Who was on the phone?”
    He walked into the bedroom and changed into his pajama bottoms. He disappeared into the bathroom. Madison followed him and watched as he gripped the side of the sink. “I know something is wrong Hunter. I wish you would just tell me.”
    He didn’t look at her. “Can we talk about it in the morning? I’m really tired.” He walked into the bedroom and grabbed his pillow. “I’m going to sleep on the couch tonight.”
    Madison watched him as he left the room. She didn’t know what to do. She climbed into his bed and laid her head against the pillow. She started to cry because she felt uncomfortable. Something wasn’t right. He was shutting her out.
    She eventually fell asleep. When she woke up, she rolled over and felt the empty bed beside her. She got up and walked into the living room. Hunter was still sleeping on the couch with beer bottles surrounding him.
    She felt the anger take over as she raced back to the bedroom and grabbed her cell phone. She quickly dialed Carter.
    “Hey Maddy, how’s it going?”
    “Not great. Hunter completely cut himself off from me last night. He got a phone call and went into a zombie trance. I woke up this morning and he’s passed out on the couch surrounded with beer