Moron

Gunner woke with a start to stare up at Hope with blurry eyes. "Huh?" 

He blinked and tried to get his bearings. Oh yeah...he was at work. Straightening a little more, he looked at his messy desk and tried to recall what on earth he'd been doing and when he must have fallen asleep. "Um...sure. I mean yeah. Found a few new leads." 

He yawned and rubbed an eye with the heel of his hand. "I got a few more things to check then I can start talking to a list of people and see if..." His voice trailed off and he glanced back up at Hope with an expression as if he was a little kid who had been caught with his hand in the cookie jar. 

His shoulders sank back down and his eyes fell to the floor. No matter how enthusiastic he was about this stuff, he still knew it wasn't right, and he knew good and well that Hope would not approve. "You won't...tell Reese or anything...will you?"

"Sounds good to me." Jared nodded, his mind already hard at work trying to decide what on earth they'd have for supper tonight. "Let's say...seven-thirty. That'll give me enough time to make it look like I've been planning this for weeks." 

He grinned as he used Grace's help to get up off the ground and stand wobbly before sinking back down into his wheelchair. He had a few hours to work with - that should be enough, right? 

"Onward!" He pointed to the house, too sore to try and wheel himself at the moment. "What am I gonna do when I'm well, and I can't order you around anymore?" 

Hunter returned a little squeeze to Katie's hand, so grateful for her support. Without her, he certainly wouldn't be here, let alone have gotten straightened out at all. 

When Alice agreed to letting him come to the wedding, he was hit with another wave of relief and gratefulness. Neither she nor Kyle were required to say yes to him coming, but they had. Returning her hug, memories flooded his mind. Memories of Break Out. Memories of being around Alice and becoming close friends. Memories of liking her more than just a friend. Pulling away, he managed a small smile. "Thank you, Alice. And...I'm sorry for being such an idiot. I don't ever want to be that person again." 

Kyle was satisfied. Having received Hunter's apology, then witnessing another apology to Alice...it was another piece of proof that he was at least trying to do the right thing again. He might be a ways from where he needed to be yet, but at least he was on the journey back. And Kyle couldn't ask for any more than that. 

Rejoined by Alice, he slipped his arm over her shoulders and gave her a loving squeeze. They were already making a great team, and he felt so blessed. Life just kept getting better and better. 

Alice's suggestion of having Katie and Hunter stay for dinner raised Kyle's eyebrows. He hadn't really thought of that, but...at this point, he wasn't opposed. If Hunter stuck around for a while, it might be a good chance to observe him a little more. And Kyle always liked spending time with Katie. "Sure, that sounds alright with me."

Hunter's mind had stopped at Alice's invitation. She...had really suggested he and Katie stay? And eat with them? Accepting his apology was one thing. Letting him come to their wedding as Katie's date was another. But actually wanting his company for a meal, after everything he'd done was...something else entirely. A lump rose in his throat, and without warning, he was overcome with emotions. He'd missed this life so much. He'd strayed so far. And yet he was being welcomed back with open arms. 

"The more the merrier." Kyle was still talking. "And yes, we have enough hamburgers for all of us. I'm so hungry, I'm 'bout ready to gnaw off my arm, so-" He stopped abruptly. "Uh-oh." 

Hunter had turned his back on the other three, embarrassed by the tears in his eyes. With hands on hips, he took a deep breath, trying to compose himself, but it wasn't working very well. They were just being too nice to him. 

Kyle cleared his throat. "You done gone and made the poor man cry, Alice. Shame on you. All I wanted was a hamburger, but now we're all feeling awkward, and nobody wants to eat with this going on. I guess we'll just stand here and listen to my stomach growl...before we all starve to death."

"Shut up." Hunter hid his smile as he wiped his eyes. "Jerk."   

Kyle grinned. "Moron." 

"Lard brain." 

"Stupid head." 

Hunter finally had guts enough to turn back around before reaching out and giving Kyle's arm a light punch. Kyle immediately returned a whack upside Hunter's head, to which Hunter thumped his shoulder. Kyle's next move was to shove him towards the patio steps. "To the grill before I really do eat my arm. You flip burgers. I'll watch," he teased. Once on the ground, he glanced back over his shoulder to toss both women a wink.