Page 112 of Between Hate and Desire

Lennon

He’s doing it as a friend, Soph. For Brandon.

Sophie

Mmhmm.

Lennon

Ugh! I’m going to text my FAVORITE sister from now on.

Sophie

Nice try. It’s you two who are always fighting over that title, not me. Either way, I love you, and I’m glad the plan is working.

My shoulders slump as I reread her last few messages. Even if she was right about Hunter, it doesn’t change the fact that Jenna could be carrying his baby or change the dynamic of our friendship. We agreed to push it all aside for now so we could focus on our fake relationship, so that’s what I need to do even if it hurts.

Lennon

I love you too. I’ll tell you all the details when we get back!

Sophie

BTW. Can I tell you how much I HATE CARTER? I’m beginning to hate Maria for allowing him to act this way. After the shit he pulled this morning (I’ll tell you about it later), I’m over this stupid living situation.

Lennon

I’m sorry. It gets better. I promise.

I know she won’t believe that, but it’s all I can do to offer her some peace.

Sophie

Gotta go. Chat soon. Tell your hubby I said hello. Hehe.

I finally make it down to the kitchen, where I find my parents sitting with their cups of coffee. Groaning about the delicious smell, I wrap my arms around my mom and give her a hug.

“Morning, sweetie. How’d you two sleep?” she asks.

“Good. Hunter’s in the shower now.”

“There are scrambled eggs on the stovetop for you and juice in the fridge. Want some toast?” She loves taking care of her kids, something I missed when I first left.

“Thanks, Mom. I’ll get it.”

As I’m stuffing my face, Hunter comes strolling in wearing nice shorts and a tight-fitting T-shirt. I nearly choke on my food when I look at him, remembering how all that hard muscle felt wrapped around me last night, and I force back the mixed feelings that surface.

“Morning,” he greets my parents sweetly, reaching for the coffee after my mother tells him to help himself. He grabs a plate of food, then sits at the table.

Hunter flashes me a wink, and all my nerves wash away. “Morning, sweetheart.” He leans down, cups my face, then presses a soft kiss on my lips. “Feeling okay?”

“Uh, yeah,” I mutter, swallowing down the lump of food in my throat. “Baby’s hungry.”

“Have you had a lot of morning sickness?” my mom asks after Hunter takes a seat.

“No, not really,” I respond. “Certain smells make me sick, but other than that, I’ve been blessed with an easy first trimester.”

I quickly finish my food and excuse myself to get ready. Oddly enough, I’m not even worried about leaving Hunter with them, knowing he has this husband thing down.

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