Page 12 of Always You

“I’ll see you tonight,” he replies, then turns around, finally walking away.

“Okay, bye.” I chuckle, opening my book again, then press my lips together to hide the bemusement stirring around my organs.

The letters form words, but somehow, I can’t stop grinning, looking at the pages without reading a single thing.

I never necessarily had an interest in any of the boys at my high school, but yesterday I saw a different side of Hunter Hansen that melted my normally socially detached heart. Talking to him feels natural, like I have the freedom to tell him my biggest secrets and he would keep them safe.

Not that I have any.

I can’t resist glancing up, my eyes roaming the parking lot until I meet his gaze again right before he gets into his black truck. He salutes me with another arrogant smirk when he catches me staring.

“Since when are you talking to Hunter Hansen?”

I look up next to me, seeing Julie watch Hunter drive away with a deep frown until she places herself in front of me, just like he did two minutes ago.

“I’m not.” I do my best to keep a straight face as I close my book and tuck it in my backpack.

“Really? Because that was Hunter Hansen you exchanged a longing look with just now. What? The rude prick didn’t even introduce himself properly?”

She shoots me a look, her blonde hair lighting up by the sun, telling me I’m full of shit.

“Shut up,” I say, ignoring her big Bambi eyes that I know are staring me down, while I keep my focus on the movements of my hands.

“What?” I blurt when I finally look up.

“You’re a shit liar, Charlie. Always have been.”

I suck in a deep breath, not even sure what to say. So he asked if I’m going to the bonfire tonight? It’s a public thing, and every senior in town is going to be there.

It’s not like he asked me out on a date.

Right?

“We got to talking yesterday. He found me reading at the creek and he walked me home,” I confess, trying to be as casual as possible about it.

Her lashes fly up in surprise before her pearly teeth split her face.

“Don’t look at me like that. It’s not like that.”

I get up, ready to go, but she keeps her ass planted where it is. I glare back at her, hoping she will back down and follow in silence, but unfortunately, I’m not so lucky. She decisively crosses her arms in front of her body, silently telling me she’s not going anywhere until I tell her everything.

“These are the moments I wish I had my own car,” I mumble, wrapping my arms around my body.

“But you don’t. So start spilling or start walking, woman!” she squeals with a fake scowl, making me chuckle at her forward approach.

“He asked if we were going to the bonfire tonight.”

“We? I’m pretty sure he has no clue who I am, so you mean you.”

“Fine,” I admit. “Me.”

She starts clapping like a seal, as if she just won the lottery, and a growl escapes my throat, slightly annoyed by her excessive behavior.

“Oh my god, Hunter Hansen has the hots for you.” She gets up, linking her arm with mine as she starts walking us to her car.

“He really doesn’t.”

“Ah, you’re cute when you’re in denial.”

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