Page 128 of The Love Haters

Hutch nodded, like that was a good point. “Never.”

At the door, Hutch had some trouble with his keys. The door was locked with a simple hasp and a padlock, and Hutch fiddled with it for a while without getting the lock undone. Finally, I said, “How about I do it?”

“I’ve got it,” Hutch said.

“Not sure you do.”

“This isn’t rocket science,” Hutch said.

“You’re not used to being hammered.”

“That’s true.”

I stepped closer to take over, but Hutch didn’t move out of the way. Instead, I had to nudge him, and he resisted a minute before finally stepping aside and flipping around to lean back against the doorframe. I could feel him watching me then.

“Cole, huh?” he asked.

“What?” I said, like I hadn’t heard the question.

“I would never, in ten thousand years, have put you together with Cole.”

I wanted—so, so, so badly—to say,I’m not. But if tonight had made anything clear, it was that I couldn’t make their animosity worse.Friday, I told myself. Just one more day. Finally, I said, “Me neither.”

At that, I turned the key, and the padlock released.

“There,” I said.

But Hutch’s eyes were closed now, and he’d leaned his head back.

“Hutch?” I asked. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” Hutch said, without opening his eyes.

“The door’s unlocked,” I said.

He nodded. “Okay. Got it. You can go.”

“I should see you inside,” I said, putting my hand on his shoulder.

But Hutch pushed my hand away. “I’m good,” he said.

“Go inside, then,” I said, stepping back.

He opened his eyes and looked right at me. “I will. After you go,” Hutch said.

“I don’t want to just leave you here,” I said.

“I don’t want to open that door with you so close to it.”

“What? Why not?”

“Because,” Hutch said, looking away.

“Hey,” I said then, grabbing for his shoulder again. “Let’s not mess around.”

But Hutch stopped me again. “I’m not messing around.”

“I don’t understand what’s happening right now,” I said. We were here. The door was unlocked. All Hutch had to do was go safely inside. And yet, he wouldn’t. “Why are you being difficult?” I asked.

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