Free Hunter (Broken Bad Boys 1): A New Adult Bad Boy Romance by Skylar Heart Page A

what it is, or why, but something dark has taken over in my head and it doesn’t look like it’s going to go anywhere any time soon.
    As soon as I reach the classroom for art history, Hanna waves at me to come join her. But to do that, I need to walk past Hunter’s desk. I take a deep breath, swallow it down and then start walking.
    I try to keep my eyes on Hanna, on the place where I need to go, but still, when I pass Hunter’s desk, I can’t help but look up at him.
    His eyes are dark and I see my own exhaustion reflected in them. He opens his mouth to say something, but I quickly avert my eyes and walk on. I don’t want to talk to him. I can’t.
    “Morning.” I slide down in the chair next to Hanna.
    “Morning.” She looks at me and then back to her phone. “It seems you and Hunter still aren’t talking.”
    “Nope.” I try to keep my voice light, but I know I’m not fooling anyone.
    “Are you going to tell me what happened?”
    “Again, no.” I pull my books from my bag. “It’s not important.”
    “And still, you haven’t talked to him all week. The same day you stop talking, he shows up with those bruises. You know, people start gossiping when that happens.”
    I sigh. We’ve had this discussion before. “They have nothing to do with each other.” Though the bruises are an extra reason not to talk to him. I can’t stand people who are aggressive, and he basically admitted to being an aggressive drunk. I’m not doing that again.
    My face heats up at the memory of his face so close to mine and my hand on his cheek. Damn. Just thinking about Hunter makes my body react in ways I can’t even describe.
    “It’s still suspicious.” Hanna eyes me. “Just like your reaction every time I say his name.”
    “Stop looking at me.” I try to glare at her, but I can’t help smiling.
    “Want to go somewhere after class?”
    “Where?” I’ve got the afternoon off anyway, and I don’t want to hang out at the workshop after the week I’ve had. I think some time away from the workshop and Hunter is a good idea.
    “I was thinking of going shopping. The weather will be getting colder soon and I don’t really have anything cute to wear.” She shrugs.
    Shopping is safe, sort of. At least it’ll probably be more fun than trying not to run into Hunter. “Yeah, let’s.”
    Hanna smiles, and then the professor comes into the room. An hour of making notes and listening to the professor talk about dead artists. Fun. I may be an artist, but I’ve never had much interest in art history. I start scribbling notes, because no matter how much I hate it, I’ll still have to know stuff for the exam.
    As the class winds down, I stretch and look around. I immediately wish I hadn’t, as Hunter is looking right at me. My heart makes a little jump and I look away quickly. I pack my bag and stand up, grabbing the table for a moment as my head whooshes.
    Hanna is next to me immediately. “You okay?” She reaches out for me, but I straighten my back and step away, smiling.
    “Yeah, I’m fine. Just stood up too quickly. You said something about going shopping?” I flash her my best smile.
    “Definitely.” She walks in front of me, starting a waterfall of chatter about the shops she wants to visit and clothes she wants to try on. I only half-listen, too busy counting what I’ve had today and considering if I maybe need to get a bottle of water and how I can sneak in a snack without anyone seeing it.
    “You worry me sometimes.” Hunter’s low voice behind me startles me. He sounds… troubled.
    My heart beats fast as my breath catches in my throat. Why? When I swivel around to face him, he’s already walking off, my only view his retreating back. The strong muscles that I had my hands on just earlier this week, the back that I clung to in a moment of weakness.
    The one covered in big black bruises.
    “Lizzy?” Hanna steps next to me. “What’s wrong?” She pulls my shoulder and turns me to her. “Are