Page 88 of Between Hate and Desire

Once it’s on the feed, I turn my phone toward Hunter and show him. “Whatcha think? Are we the cutest fake couple ever or what?” I snicker, thinking about the ridiculousness of this all. He has no idea how intense things will get when we arrive. Considering my sisters won’t be there, all of the attention will be on me. Fucking joy.

Hunter narrows his eyes at it and scrolls through the dozens of pictures I’ve posted. Everything from our morning coffees to “breakfast in bed” and movie nights. Some are just pictures of our legs as we lounge on the couch, but I know we’re gonna have to keep it up even after we’re back home. My mom will probably have the entire congregation follow me for updates on us and the baby.

“The Mrs. Manning,” he reads my handle aloud. My profile picture is of the two of us with my ‘married’ name beneath as “Lennon Manning.”

“Yeah.” I shrug. “I thought it was cute. And cheesy.” Chuckling, I study him and watch as his breath hitches and jaw tightens. I’m not sure what kind of response I was expecting, but he looks affected. Maybe the reality of what we’re doing is settling in. Maybe he thinks he’s betraying Brandon, or hell, maybe he realizes his life will never be the same once we do this.

I know those thoughts have crossed my mind. But I’m the one with no options. He can still back out.

“Yeah, it looks nice. I’m sure they’ll buy it.” He nods, handing my phone back.

I grab my notebook from the coffee table and check off where I wrote “Daily Instagram post” under the Friday column. Ever since we decided to do this, I started making a daily to-do list so I don’t forget anything. Getting our stories straight, learning everything we can about each other, and taking pictures and posting them on social media are a few tasks I have listed. If we’re going to pull this off, we have to do whatever it takes.

Speaking of which…

“I have a weird request,” I start, then pull in my bottom lip and wait for his response.

Hunter went to grab a beer for himself and a bottle of water for me. He thinks I need to be hydrated twenty-four seven and forgets as soon as I drink it, I have to rush to the bathroom so I don’t pee myself. I’ve been getting up at least three times at night, which is annoying when I’m warm and comfortable in bed for once.

“Any weirder than faking a marriage?” he mocks, taking a sip of his beer and setting my water down on the coffee table. Hunter plops down on the couch, leaving space between us.

I decide to let it go, figuring Hunter’s in a weird mood tonight. Since we’ve been sharing more details about each other, I think it’s made him more vulnerable than usual, and I don’t want to push it.

Getting up, I ignore his comment and walk to the kitchen table where I had set out a few items that I still need to pack. There’s a stack of notecards with random things about ourselves written on them as well as some with our “couple” information. I know the name of his first pet was Reagan, after the president. His first kiss was with a girl named Brittany in second grade. His brother’s name is Hayden, and he lives in New York with his girlfriend, Savannah. Hunter’s middle name is John after his great-grandfather on his mother’s side. His birthday is November 23rd and lands on Thanksgiving every six years. His favorite holiday is Christmas because growing up, it was the one day of the year his family was “normal,” and his dad didn’t make work a priority. He told me funny stories of his uncle dressing up as Santa and how he found out the truth one year when he discovered a bag of presents in the laundry room.

We’ve talked so much and dug into some deep shit, it almost feels like it’s been over a week since we started sharing details about one another. I like knowing more about him. It makes me feel confident that we’ll look like a legit couple to my family.

“Lennon.” Hunter’s voice has me jumping out of my skin.

I turn around with my hand over my racing heart. “Shit, you scared me.”

I didn’t even hear his footsteps behind me. He’s holding his beer in one hand and brings over my bottle of water I left in the living room.

“Sorry. I said your name a few times, but you must’ve been in your head again.” He smirks, then hands me the water. “Wasn’t sure if you wanted this or not.”

My shoulders fall, and I grin. “I’m fine, but thank you. Baby’s already using my bladder as a trampoline.”

His brows shoot up to his hairline, making me burst out into laughter. “You can feel that already?”

I shrug, uncertain. “I don’t know, but lately, I have to pee once an hour.”

“That’s gonna be a fun plane ride for you.” He snickers. “Good thing it’s not a long flight.”

“Right.” I sigh. The anxiety about telling my parents hits me. Hopefully after the initial surprise, they’ll be supportive and won’t ask a million questions even though we’re preparing for it.

“My nerves are gonna be shot anyway,” I admit, lowering my eyes, then turn back around to my lists and notecards.

“Well, you won’t be alone, so try not to stress too much,” he tells me, and I feel him behind me. The guilt of what he’s agreed to eats at me, though I try to push it away. Hunter wouldn’t be doing this if he didn’t want to, but because he’s so willing has me wishing I could repay him someday for what he’s subjecting himself to.

“I’ll try,” I say softly.

Hunter walks back into the kitchen, the fridge door opens and shuts, and then he’s by my side again.

“Lennon.”

“Huh?”

“You said you had a weird request before,” he reminds me. “What was it?”

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