Page 98 of Always You

I furrow my brows, glancing at him in confusion. “What do you mean?”

“This. It’s not mine. It looks nice, and right now, it seems like I’ve made it big time. But it’s not mine. If anything, it’s just a piece of candy that they’re dangling in front of my face. They barely paid me for that first fight. Until I win some actual fights, this is just pretend.” He waves his hand through the air with a look on his face I can’t quite explain. He’s supposed to be happy. He’s supposed to finally feel like he’s getting somewhere, but I still catch the darkness threatening to pull him under.

It’s as black as that day he found me reading at the creek, and it tightens my throat because this is not the Hunter I’d gotten so used to seeing before graduation.

That Hunter was lighter.Happier.

When I realize what he’s saying, I cock my head, my eyes slightly annoyed.

“Hunter Hansen, don’t you dare be ashamed of what you’ve accomplished.”

“But that’s just it!” he counters. “I haven’t accomplished anything yet.”

“No, but those people at the AFA know you’ll be the best there is. Don’t pretend you don’t deserve this. You do. You worked damn hard for this.” I give him a slight push, trying to make him laugh, poking to see if the boy who left me is still somewhere inside of him.

“I guess.”

“Well, Iknow.” I grab his arm, giving it a squeeze. “Don’t be that little boy your mama wants you to be. She doesn’t matter.Nobodymatters.”Not even me.“Only you. And you’re doing damn good.”

His face falls as he turns his body toward me, his hand reaching up to cup my face. “God, I’ve missed you.”

He slightly moves his head, as if he’s doubting whether to kiss me, and I feel that same flutter in my gut that I’ve been feeling for a long time.

“I’m here now.”

He shakes his head, like he’s trying to snap himself out of whatever thoughts are running through his mind, before he lets go of my face.

“Taking you to a party tonight.”

“Yeah, I heard.” I pull a face that makes him roll his eyes.

“It’ll be fun.”

“Hunt, I’m not the party girl,” I start, followed with a sigh that vibrates my body from head to toe. “You know this. Can’t we just watch a movie?”

“You know these parties are nothing like the shit in high school?” He cocks a brow as I keep a straight face, unimpressed at his attempt to convince me.

“You found me reading at the creek.”

“Come on, Charls. You’re only in LA for two days. You can’t go back to Julie, telling her you didn’t go to a party, right?”

“I think she’d understand,” I deadpan.

“Shut up, don’t be a bore. We’re going.” His voice holds a finality that makes me repeat his words with a mocking tone, like a five-year-old, and his gaze darkens. He takes a step closer, getting in my personal space the way I’m used to. The way I’ve been yearning for the entire summer. I glare up at him, daring him with my eyes, as his narrowed ones move back and forth.

“Don’t tempt me to shut you up in the only way I know is effective.”

God, I want him to.But I know we can’t cross that bridge anymore. Not if I want to keep my heart intact.

“Stop flirting with me.” I swallow hard, doing my best to keep his gaze like a warrior, resisting the urge in the tips of my fingers to rip his clothes from his body.

“Get dressed, babe.” He winks, making my heart melt on the spot. “We’re leaving in an hour.”

He walks out, closing the door behind him, and I let the air slip from my lungs.

I need to make sure I don’t touch any alcohol tonight, because I’m not sure if he’s going to keep pushing my buttons like that. I want to be pissed at him, remind him we agreed on friends. But as I look up to the ceiling, thinking about what to tell him to make sure we don’t move past that threshold again, I realize there is no way.

Because this is exactly what our friendship has always been.

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