Addiction (The Hunted Series Book 2) Read online

  Addiction

  The Hunted Series Book 2

  By Ivy Smoak

  Copyright 2015 Ivy Smoak

  All Rights Reserved

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  CONTENTS

  Title

  PART 1

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  PART 2

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  PART 3

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Read More

  ARC Team

  Also by Ivy Smoak

  Copyright

  PART 1

  Chapter 1

  Wednesday

  My stomach was in knots. I couldn't eat. I couldn't sleep. I couldn't seem to focus in class. Every day that I saw Professor Hunter I had this pathetic hope that things would somehow be the way they were before. But it never happened. He wouldn't even look at me. It was like I didn't exist. This class was becoming unbearable. He didn't have to watch me and take notes on my every word. How was I supposed to do this anymore? I'd rather just stop showing up and fail the class than sit here one more second. The room felt stifling. I was finding it hard to breathe.

  "Penny?"

  It took me a moment to even realize that someone was addressing me. I looked up at Tyler. He had placed his backpack on the seat in front of the one he used to always sit in. I blinked at him. Why was he talking to me? The last time we spoke he had made it clear we weren't friends. I didn't know what to say to him. I had already tried apologizing. Having everyone mad at me was exhausting. Apparently I was so used to being ignored that I had forgotten how to speak because I just stared at him.

  "You okay?" he asked.

  I cleared my throat. "I'm fine."

  "You don't look fine."

  "What?" I didn't need to be insulted right now. If I didn't feel so numb I'd probably burst into tears. But instead I just stared at him.

  "Have you been eating?"

  "Oh. No. I mean yes, I've been eating."

  "When was the last time you ate?"

  I thought about it for a minute. I wasn't eating. Everything tasted bland and I felt sick to my stomach. "I went to dinner the other night with Melissa." The other night was a few nights ago. And I barely touched my food. Tyler didn't need to know that.

  Tyler grabbed his backpack, placed it on the floor beside my desk, and sat down next to me. He leaned toward me. "You know what, I actually forgot to eat breakfast this morning. Do you want to go get something to eat?"

  I looked over at him. "You mean, like, now?"

  Tyler shrugged. "Yeah. Let's go."

  Professor Hunter walked into the classroom and put his satchel on the desk. Look at me. He was wearing a sweater identical to the one he had given me the first time we met. Had he replaced it? Had he replaced me? He looked calm and composed. He looked fine. He always looked completely fine. I missed him so much. But he didn't miss me back. I could feel myself falling apart. Please look at me. Professor Hunter, look at me! He didn't glance in my direction. I felt like I was going to throw up. "Okay," I whispered.

  Tyler stood up and put his backpack over one shoulder. I quickly grabbed my bag and followed him out of the classroom. Maybe Professor Hunter would notice me now. I looked over my shoulder as I exited out the back door. He was busy writing something on the chalkboard. When had he become just another one of my teachers? The thought was chilling.

  "Where are we going?" I asked as I caught up to Tyler.

  "There's an IHOP on Main Street. How does that sound?"

  "Really good, actually." Him talking to me meant more than he could possibly know. I felt so guilty about what had happened between us. And if he could forgive me, maybe Professor Hunter could too. We walked toward Main Street in silence. The campus was so pretty in the fall. The leaves were bright yellow, orange, and red. The crispness in the air was refreshing. I took a deep breath.

  We entered the restaurant and followed the hostess to a booth. I slid in across from Tyler and looked down at the menu. I hoped I had some cash in my backpack. Regardless, I searched for something cheap just in case Tyler insisted on paying.

  "I didn't know you were one for playing hooky," Tyler said. He was smiling at me.

  "I've been doing a lot of that lately." And I had. I had missed so many Stat classes that I would surely fail my next test. I actually needed to hire a tutor if I didn't want to have to retake it next semester. I looked back down at my menu. I couldn't help but wonder why Tyler was being nice. He knows. Of course he knows. Melissa would have told him that Professor Hunter and I were fighting. I refused to think that we were broken up. Needing time didn't mean we had broken up. We were still together. But every time I insisted on the fact that we were still together, it felt more and more like I was lying to myself. It had been two weeks since our fight. And it had been two weeks since he had spoken to me. I wasn't sure how much longer I could lie to myself.

  The waitress came over and I ordered some pancakes with scrambled eggs. The delicious aromas in the air made my stomach growl. When the waitress left I looked up at Tyler. He looked genuinely concerned for me.

  "Why are you looking at me like that?" I asked. It was making me uncomfortable. I didn't deserve his sympathy.

  "Like what?"

  "Like I'm a pathetic loser that you pity."

  "You're definitely not a pathetic loser." He gave me an encouraging smile.

  Then stop looking at me like that! I stared back at him.

  "Melissa told me what happened," Tyler said gently.

  "Right." Of course she did. She probably still wanted Tyler and me to be together.

  "Did you want to talk about it?"

  I looked up at him. "I thought you didn't want to be friends with me."

  "Penny, I'm sorry I was such a jerk. I was pissed. But I still care about you." He paused for a moment. "Clearly more than he does."

  "Tyler..."

  "Does he even realize how upset you are?"

  "I don't know. I haven't spoken to him."

  "Penny. Come on. You deserve better than this. You deserve better than him."

  "You don't even know him." I suddenly felt cold. I wrapped my arms around myself.

  "I know enough."

  He didn't say it, but what he meant was that Professor Hunter was dating a student. And that made Professor Hunter a creepy asshole. But Tyler couldn't be more wrong. I loved Professor Hunter. I loved him more than I even realized I could love someone. And I needed him back. "He's a good guy, Tyler. This whole thing is my fault. I deserve this."

  "You deserve to be happy. And he's not making you happy."

  "I really don't want to talk about this." I bit my lip. I didn't want to start crying in the middle of the restaurant.

  Tyler was quiet for a moment. I could feel his eyes on me. "I think you sho
uld report what happened to the dean."

  I winced at his words. I should have known that's why he wanted to talk to me. "Tyler, you don't even know the whole story."

  "The whole story doesn't matter. All that matters is that he broke the rules."

  "I broke the rules too." I pushed him every chance I got. Blatantly flirting with him in class, texting him, not leaving him alone when he had asked me to. "I wanted this. Probably more than he did." Clearly more than he did. If he wanted this, wouldn't he have forgiven me by now? The thought made my stomach churn.

  The waitress put our food down in front of us. I was no longer hungry. The realization that Professor Hunter didn't want me suddenly felt like a fresh wound. I slowly cut into my pancakes and took a bite. It didn't taste like anything.

  "Just think about it, okay?" Tyler continued.

  No! "Okay."

  We ate in silence. I chewed and swallowed and tried not to make a disgusted face.

  "Are you excited for your birthday?" Tyler asked as he pushed his plate to the side.

  My birthday. There was nothing I wanted more than to spend my birthday with Professor Hunter. But it was tomorrow. And he still wasn't talking to me. I didn't have any plans for my actual birthday. Melissa had planned our joint birthday party for Friday. It was still costume themed. And it was being held at Tyler and Josh's frat house. I wasn't looking forward to it at all. Whenever Melissa asked me about any of the details I'd just mumble yes to all her plans. I figured I just wouldn't go. I realized I hadn't answered Tyler's question. "I guess."

  Tyler laughed. "You don't sound excited."

  A month ago I was thrilled that I would be turning 20 soon. I didn't want to be a teenager. I wanted to be more mature and for Professor Hunter to want me. But now I was just sad. Turning 20 seemed like a big deal. I had been so wrapped up in the idea of what Professor Hunter thought about my age that I hadn't taken into account how I really felt about turning 20. "I feel old."

  "That's because you haven't been eating."

  I laughed. It sounded strange in my throat. "You know what I mean. I won't be a teenager anymore. I'm an old lady."

  Tyler laughed. "Coming from a 21 year old, 20 isn't so bad. And you aren't an old lady. You only have a few wrinkles."

  "What?"

  "I'm just kidding," Tyler laughed. "You don't have any wrinkles. You're perfect."

  Perfect. I looked down at my half eaten pancakes. He still liked me. How could he still like me? I had an affair with our professor. I had lied to him. I was far from perfect. His compliment was off-putting and I could feel my face flush.

  "Do you have any plans for tomorrow night?" he asked.

  "Just hanging out with Melissa."

  "Then we'll celebrate Friday I guess." Tyler pulled his cell phone out of his jeans and looked at the screen. "I have to get to my next class because I have a test." He put a twenty dollar bill on the table.

  "I can pay this time," I said. I opened up my backpack to grab some money.

  "Happy early birthday, Penny. I'll see you on Friday." He gave me one last smile and walked away.

  Chapter 2

  Thursday

  I had never understood what Professor Hunter saw in me. Had he fallen for me because I was so bold? If that was it, no wonder he was ignoring me now. I felt like a small fragment of the person that I was just a few weeks ago. I had to shake this feeling. My birthday was flying by in a blur. Tons of people had wished me a happy birthday, but none of them had been Professor Hunter. I needed to accept the fact that we were done. It was a tryst. It was only for a month. I had taken everything too seriously. He was my professor. He was older than me. He was married for Christ's sake. It wasn't going anywhere.

  I opened up my text that I had gotten from Tyler that morning: "Penny, I hope you have a fantastic birthday. I can't wait to see you tomorrow and celebrate. Even though you're old now, to me you'll always be perfect. Wrinkles and all."

  I smiled as I looked down at the words. Tyler was the sweetest guy I had ever known. But I didn't think I could date him. I couldn't take being hurt anymore. Being an old cat lady was sounding better and better every day.

  Melissa came in to the room with a package in her hands. "Penny!"

  "Hey," I said with as much enthusiasm as I could muster. I eyed the package in her hands. She had already given me a birthday gift. It was a dress that was far too short and cupcakes that I had already eaten way too many of. At least I had gotten my appetite back for birthday cupcakes.

  She walked over to my bed and placed the box down on my bed. "This is for you."

  "But you already got me enough."

  "It's not from me."

  "Who is it from?"

  Melissa sat down on my bed. "It doesn't say. It's just addressed to you. Open it, Penny!"

  For a moment I let myself believe it was from Professor Hunter. My heart rate accelerated. He actually remembered. I grabbed scissors off my desk, cut through the tape, and ripped open the box. I opened the card and looked down at the familiar handwriting. My mom's writing.

  Enjoy your day, sweetie. I can't believe our little Penny is 20! Call us when you get a chance. We love you!

  -Mom & Dad

  My heart fell. What is wrong with me? "It's from my parents."

  "Oh." Melissa had been hoping for the same thing as me.

  I looked through the package. It was all my favorite snack foods. Cheez-Its, white cheddar popcorn, gummy bears, Starbursts, Pringles, and a bunch of other delicious cheesy or sweet treats. And there was a check with a note saying I had to spend it on myself. I had a habit of always putting any money I got in the bank. But if they specifically said I needed to spend it, it was usually enough of a guilt trip to make me. I smiled up at Melissa.

  "I'm sorry," she said.

  "I don't know how to accept that it's over." I could feel the tears welling in my eyes. I didn't want to think about this on my birthday.

  Melissa jumped off my bed. "Let's go out."

  "I don't want to." I wiped my eyes.

  "Penny. The best way to get over someone is to get under someone else."

  "Don't be gross."

  "Come on. Get dressed."

  "It's my birthday, I want to stay in. Besides, we're having a party tomorrow."

  "Yeah. Which doesn't mean tonight has to be lame." Melissa pulled out an outfit from her closet and tossed it at me.

  "Melissa..."

  "You need to stop moping around. It's James' loss."

  It didn't feel that way. I felt like I was the one losing everything. I looked down at my phone. I had been checking it constantly all day, waiting for a text from Professor Hunter. Just a simple birthday wish. That's all I wanted. But my screen was blank. I slid off the bed and started to get dressed. Maybe Melissa was right.

  ***

  I sat in the bathroom stall and pulled out my phone. I could hear the music from the bar. Please. Please have texted me. It was past midnight. My birthday was over. I slid my finger across the screen on my phone. Nothing. Professor Hunter hadn't even sent me a generic happy birthday text. The whole day I had been waiting. I couldn't enjoy myself. I had been in so much pain for weeks. And he didn't care. That's what it came down to. He no longer cared about me.

  I quickly typed out a message to him. "I had a great birthday. Thanks for remembering, Professor Hunter. I assume you had something super fancy and prestigious to do tonight. Sorry I wasted so much of your precious time. I hope you have a great life." I pressed send before I could change my mind. He was such an asshole. I had made one mistake. And it was only because I knew he'd freak out. Which he did. It really is over.

  I found myself wishing that I had never met him. That I had never gotten tied up in this awful, painful relationship, or lack thereof. I had been so consumed in him that I had completely lost myself. I was addicted to the way he had made me feel. But I wasn't addicted to feeling invisible. If he didn't want me, then why was I waiting for him? I put my phone back into my jacket po
cket and put my face in my hands. I had never had a boyfriend to spend my birthday with. After a week had passed without hearing from Professor Hunter, a small part of me thought he'd surprise me on my birthday. He'd show up and kiss me and sweep my off my feet. What kind of fairytale was I living in? I thought about when I had told him I felt like a Disney princess. I lifted my face out of my hands. Professor Hunter wasn't my prince. I needed him tonight. I needed him and he hadn't shown up. I stood up and left the stall. I washed my hands without looking in the mirror.

  I went back into the bar and glanced around for Melissa. I reached her on the dance floor. "Come on, let's go," I said to her.

  "Boo!"

  I couldn't help but laugh. I grabbed her arm and we began to walk out of the bar and back onto Main Street.

  "I can't believe you didn't talk to anyone," Melissa said.

  "The last thing I need is another guy in my life."

  "Yeah...I don't think you know how to get over someone at all."

  "I just want to be single for awhile." Single. I swallowed hard.

  Melissa rolled her eyes at me. Melissa suddenly stopped walking, almost causing me to fall over. "Shit, is that him?" Melissa asked.

  I followed Melissa's gaze. There was a man sitting on a bench up ahead. His elbows were on his knees and his hands were in his hair. He was staring at the ground. He was wearing shorts, a hoodie, and sneakers. It looked like he had just been on a run. It was undoubtedly Professor Hunter.

  "Holy crap." I pushed Melissa into a side street between two buildings and ducked in behind her.

  "Is it him?" she asked.

  "Yes." I peered out from behind the wall. He looked distraught. I thought about the text I had sent him a few minutes ago. Is that why he's upset? He wasn't looking at his cell phone. He was just staring at the ground.

  "So why are we hiding? Go talk to him. Obviously you want to."

  "I can't." Professor Hunter always looked so poised in class. Was he actually falling apart too? Did he miss me as much as I missed him? I wanted to run over to him and kiss him. I didn't want him to be in pain. But it wasn't necessarily me that was causing him pain. The thought was numbing. "I can't," I repeated.