Page 130 of The Play

“Demi.”

I glance over my shoulder and find remorse swimming in his dark eyes. “What is it?”

“There’s really no chance, is there?”

“No. There isn’t.”

On the car ride home, I sendHappy Holidays!texts to TJ, Pax, and the other Lost Boys, and then I finally get a chance to text Hunter, who’s spending the holidays in Connecticut. Apparently his father’s company held a holiday party tonight, which Hunter and his mother were expected to attend because, well, because they’re nothing but props for his father.

ME: How’d it go tonight?

HIM: Not terrible. Open bar, good food. Danced with my mother to a live version of Baby It’s Cold Outside, which was awkward.

ME: Awkward? More like hot!

HIM: FFS! We’re talking about my mother here.

ME: Was your dad on his best behavior?

HIM: Of course. He’s gotta put on a show for his adoring fans.

“Demi,” Dad says from the driver’s seat. “Could you please close your window? Your mother’s cold.”

“Mmm-hmmm.” I absently hit the automatic button, but I press it the wrong way and end up opening the window fully rather than doing the opposite. “Oh shoot. Sorry, Mom.” I drop my phone on the seat beside me and click the button again.

“Who are you texting with?” she asks curiously.

“Just a friend.”

Dad pounces instantly. “This Hunter boy you mentioned earlier?”

I wrinkle my forehead. “Yes. Is that a problem?”

He doesn’t answer for a moment. When he does, suspicion colors his tone. “Nico doesn’t think much of him.”

Interesting. Looks like Nico had more to say when the men went out for their second round of cigars.

“I see.” I nod politely. “Because Nico’s opinion is the mantle by which we measure all wisdom and purity.”

“Demi,” Mom chides from the passenger side.

“What? It’s true? His moral compass isn’t exactly in working order.” I meet Dad’s eyes in the rearview mirror. “When you were outside talking about my friend, did Nico also tell you how he beat Hunter up?”

Mom gasps. “He didn’t! Did he?”

“Oh yeah. Hunter was the one who gave me the heads up about the cheating. Nico didn’t like that, so he tracked Hunter down and roughed him up with four of his friends. Five against one, Dad. That’s how mature adults deal with their problems, right?”

Dad’s cheeks hollow as if he’s grinding his teeth. “Well. That aside, I wonder if perhaps you should keep your distance from this Hunter.”

“Why? This is coming out of nowhere. You don’t even know him, and I don’t think you should be taking Nico’s word for anything, please. He’s a liar.”

“He lied to you, yes. But that doesn’t make him a liar.”

“Daddy. If I murdered you, I’d be a murderer. He lied to me, therefore he’s a liar.”

“Semantics.”

I heave a sigh. “Look, I like Hunter, all right? He’s great.”

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