Arriving at his apartment, things were quiet. It was a somewhat sleepy part of town, which didn't bother Hunter much. He had one flight of stairs inside, and had the bigger of the apartments in the corner of the building. It suited him alright. Not too expensive but not too shabby either, and within his budget as long as he kept winning races and gaining income for bets. He knew one of these days he'd have to find a real job, but so far he'd been able to survive without it. Better sense told him he better start looking soon though. One lost bet would be all it would take to be short one month's rent.
Unlocking the door, he steps into the living room. It was a nice big open area with walls painted white except for the outside wall that was brick and housed a nice large window looking down over the street. He didn't have much furniture. He had a couch and an entertainment center to hold his television and DVDs. A shelf in the corner held a few pictures in frames and some odds and ends for knick-knacks. An open box on the floor next to it held even more pictures along with trophies and medals from karate tournaments. He had yet to unpack those even though he'd been living here for a little while now. He just hadn't had time. Or... maybe he just hadn't had the gumption yet to sort through everything in the box, knowing there were pictures from his past... some from Break Out.
For the most part, his apartment was pretty well-kept. Off to the side was a small kitchen with just enough room for the necessities and a small table, then towards the back of the living room was a short hallway to the bedroom and bathroom. He had a few things on the walls, but not much. An abstract painting he'd picked up last year. A calendar with photos of cars.
Sighing, Hunter tosses his keys onto the end table by the couch and throws his jacket over the back of the couch for now. Or indefinitely. Depending on whether or not he'd pick it up later. Slipping off his sneakers, he goes to grab a beer from the fridge then flops down on the couch, flipping on the television. Finding nothing good to watch, he leaves it on anyway. He needed the distraction.
He'd had a good time with Katie tonight, no doubt. It had been different. Fun. It was the good clean fun that he didn't have anymore. He'd wanted something else. He'd wanted to walk the fine line and get as close to trouble as he could. There was thrill there. Adrenaline. And yet... the good old days remained in the back of his mind as the best. He didn't like to think about it much. So that's why he settled for a dumb movie on television.
Later that night, he'd find himself inputting Katie's number into his phone. He wasn't sure if he'd ever call her or she him. He might not even see her again at all. But he'd keep her number just in case.
"Yeah..." Mick was grateful for Roesetta's efforts. It... didn't make him feel much better though. Pulling her in for a hug, he kisses the top of her head. "Thanks. I suppose I better get back out to my fence. It isn't gonna fix itself."
Managing a smile, he backs away and retrieves his gloves from his back pocket. "I'll probably see you at lunch now. Still having a party for Ashlee, right?"
Eric thinks for a moment, then shrugs. "Lots of things I liked about racing. Horses in general... going fast... pay wasn't too bad."
He gives Ashlee a sidelong glance and a smile. "There's something cool about flying across the ground with a horse between your legs. Never got into the major races or anything - I was too heavy. Mick and I both were too tall. We had fun though. 'Til I had my accident." He taps his head. "By the time I could ride again, I'd been out of it too long and there was no going back."
Picking up another piece of leather, he continues to work. There was a part of him that missed those days. He'd been free. Respected. At the top of his game. Now he felt like a washed up truck driver. It was nice getting back into a routine with the horses at least. But would it last? Would he stay? He didn't know.
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