Page 23 of Pinkie Promise

He pulls his phone from his shorts and then nods to himself as he pockets it again.

Before I can ask if he just checked the date and time to co-align our workouts, he runs a hand through his hair and flashes me another devastating smile. “Did you like the pic?”

I take a shaky breath. “Um…”

“I’ve never taken a photo like that before,” he rumbles, “but I’d do it again if you like it.”

The honest confession takes me by surprise and my cheeks heat up likeI’vejust done a workout.

He grins knowingly so I huff right past him.

“Wait up,” he says, easily matching my pace. When we reach the girls locker rooms I give him a victorious smile of my own.

You can’t come in here, my expression reads smugly.

He makes a low sound as he wars with himself against the threshold.

“When are you next free?” he asks, his tone deep and demanding.

I give my ponytail a swish. “Not for a billion years.”

He grips the back of his neck and says, “Fallon, I’m so sorry about what happened at the bar.”

I exhale a small weary sigh. “Honestly, you were so drunk that I’m surprised you remember any of it.”

His eyes momentarily drop to my belly as he mumbles, “How could I forget?”

Our gazes catch for a split second and I quickly look away, remembering how Hunter’s body felt pressed up against my stomach. I let out a shaky breath and remind myself never to come to this gym again.

“I want to make it up to you, Fallon. Let me fix this.”

“No,” I say stubbornly.

“Fallon, I promise–”

“I don’t want your help.”

Hunter looks deep into my eyes and hurt flashes through his irises.

Suddenly I feel like the worst person in the world.

This is why I don’t try with people anymore. This is why I don’t let myself develop the bond of comfort and familiarity. Idon’t want to secretly cherish their attention only for it to be swiftly ripped away because I can’t be perfect twenty-four seven.

I need to calm down so that I can rationalise my feelings. I’m stressed because this is probably my last year of college and my imminent future is still yet to be decided. All I know is that I can’t speak to my parents and Iwon’tgo home, which means that I need to do something so that I can safely remain at Carter U. I want that funding so freaking much and it’s eating me up not knowing if I’ll get it.

Hunter shuffles his large body on his feet and the move is so self conscious that my heart aches in my chest.

Feeling overwhelmed and guilty, I tuck a loose curl behind my ear with slightly shaking fingers, wishing that I could tell him,Hunter, you’re so beautiful it’s crazy, and I can’t believe that you think that I’m worth talking to, but I’m scared that if I let myself start to like you, you’re going to end up hurting me like my parents did back home.

Instead I opt for, “I’m… sorry, please let me start over. You’re really kind, Hunter. But I can’t ask you for your help because I don’t want to be a burden. It’s, uh, kind of a sore spot for me.” I rub my hands up my arms until I’m anxiously gripping my elbows. “I need to be able to take care of myself. I need to be able to…”

Hunter takes a small step forward, a concerned pinch between his brows. I look up at him with wide eyes, half expecting him to laugh and sayyeah, you’re a mess.

Instead he says, “Fallon, you’re not a burden.”

I never knew until this moment how much I wanted to hear someone say those words to me.

A small kindling stirs gently in my belly and I press my hand over it, as if Hunter might see it if I don’t.

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