Page 36 of The Lie
Her mouth drops open. “So, it's true? I heard about you and Hunter.”
I smile. “Yeah, well, it’s not too hard to hear when he’s shouting it from the halls.”
She gasps, her hand flying to her mouth as her brows raise. “He didn’t? Did he? Oh god, Cadence is going to flip when she hears it's true.”
“What, why? Oohhh…” My cheeks heat as I remember she once asked if I had seen him naked. Now that I’ve seen the older version, I can say I’m very impressed.
“Please tell me you're blushing because it's so big?”
I smack her arm then loop it with mine. “I will not be discussing my boyfriend’s body parts, no matter how big and impressive they are.”
Sadie gasps. “I knew it.”
I shake my head. “Come on. Let's go get lunch and watch the drama show of the day. Pretty sure there's going to be a lot of crazy.” Thankfully, it's not about me.
“Babe, come sit between me and Emerson,” Hunter says, a tray of food already waiting for me.
He’s such a sweet boyfriend. I kiss his lips as I park myself between the two of them.
Emerson bumps his shoulder with mine. “I like that you and Hunter are together.” Then he leans in close. “Was he the real first kiss?” I shove him playfully and he chuckles. “What? I had to try.”
“That’s none of your business,” I reply with an exaggerated huff.
He looks at Hunter and, with a sly grin, adds, “I guess he wasn’t, if you’re not telling me.”
My mouth drops open, and he points and nods. I roll my eyes at myself more than Emerson. I can’t believe I just gave away my poker face like that.
I see the girls slowly approaching us, like they’re lambs to a lion’s den. Happy for the change of subject, I ask, “Can we make room for my friends Sadie and Cadence?”
A few of the guys look around then nod, and I gesture for the girls to come over. Their eyes almost bug out of their heads as the guys in front of me turn to check them out before shifting over to let them in.
“Thanks,” they whisper and look at me, their eyes telling me, “Holy shit.”
I have to bite my tongue to stop myself from giggling at them. They are so funny and great friends. I received so many messages and flowers from them both while I was out of action.
“Babe, I got you water, a soda, a wrap with chicken and avocado, a cookie, and a chocolate bar I brought you from home.” Hunter points at all the stuff on the tray in front of me.
He brought me chocolate.
“I wish I had a boyfriend that got me food,” Cadence mutters to herself.
I feel bad that the girls have to get up and wait in that long-ass line. But they don't seem to be making a move to get any food. Maybe it's the fact that I said they could sit here. Or they don't want to waste any time in line when they could be sitting at the table with some very fine-looking football players.
Grady appears beside Emerson and takes a seat. I smile over at him, and he winks.
“How was the hangover?” I ask him.
He lets out a huff and shakes his head. “I’ll never drink whiskey from the back of your dad’s cupboard again, Mila.”
When he chuckles, a few of the guys and I join in. I'm glad none of the guys are making what came out about Grady on Friday night weird or a big deal. Which reminds me, where’s Makai? I guess he doesn’t usually sit here. Or maybe it’s more? I hope not; I hope Makai is okay. I’m assuming I’m not the only one who put two and two together with them.
Shit, I really hope no one says anything about Makai. It should be his choice and his alone.
Jace comes over with his tray full of food, and the whole table grows silent. I sit on a knife-edge, wondering who's going to break first. There's a seat left next to his brother, but everyone’s watching him. What’s his move? Since he’s standing there uncertainly, he obviously hasn’t apologized to Grady. And it’s causing tension within the team.
He reaches for the chair just as Britney appears beside him with her tray. “Jace, I've been calling you and trying to talk to you all day. Come and sit with me.” Her voice—whiny and desperate—is like nails going down a chalkboard.
Grady tenses and Emerson growls, “Fuck off.”
