Page 53 of The Lie
I open the door to find a single red rose on my front step. Reaching down, I pick it up and smell it. It’s beautiful, but who gave it to me? I look around and don’t see Hunter’s car.
“Hunter?” I call out. But there’s no one.
Oh my god. Roman? Could this have been from him? We used to pick daisies, and he would place one behind my ear. Is this his way of asking me to the dance? I told him I’m getting a dress in Rebels red and wanted the cast black. My heart speeds up a little as I turn with a huge grin on my face.
Hunter’s car pulls up just as I start to walk inside, so I rest my shoulder against the doorframe and watch as he strides over to me. He wraps his arms around me, and I squeal as he swings me around.
“A rose. For me, how sweet.” He chuckles then kisses me before setting me back on the porch.
“No, I think it’s from Roman. I think he put it there and just left.”
Hunter nods, but I can see he’s a bit unsure as he looks to Jace’s house.
Oh shit. How did I not think that it could have been Jace? After the way he was at lunch today, he might be trying to make up for all his wrongs, and a rose is a sweet gesture. But words and, more importantly, actions are the only things he can give me right now.
“Come on.” I tug on Hunter’s tee. “Let’s go to my room before my dad gets home.”
Screw the rule. I want Hunter between my thighs right now and to forget about all the bullshit in the world.
His deep chuckle has me smiling like crazy. He bends down and lifts me over his shoulder and smacks my ass.
Sorry, Dad…not sorry.
TWENTY-TWO
MILA
The marching band is playing for a packed stadium. Sadie is jumping up and down beside me, wearing one of the matching tops the three of us bought for the game—all Rebels red. I love calling it that.
She’s pointing at Hunter, and I smile at her as she winks at me. Then she points at one of the guys in the band, but I can’t figure out who as I try to scream over at her. My voice is drowned out by all the noise. Everyone’s excited to watch the game tonight.
Friday night lights.
Even better—it’s homecoming.
Everyone and their mom is here. It’s a huge turnout, and I didn’t want to miss it, especially since Hunter and Roman have no family but me here. I’ll be their support system. Their family.
Eventually, the chaos dies down a bit, and the cheerleaders are doing their thing. I watch Hunter; he’s laughing with Grady and Emerson. Grady seems more himself tonight which makes me happy. I can’t see Roman at first, then I spot him. He’s sitting alone, and it breaks my heart to see him so down. I wanted to braid his hair for the game, but he wouldn’t let me.
He did paint my cast black today. I’d been surprised at lunch when he came up and nodded for me to follow him. He took me out to the grassy area where we’d been sitting together before the accident. I know he hasn’t been sitting here without me; I’ve been checking.
Pulling out a small paint container and a paintbrush, he got to work. I tried to talk to him. After Saturday and that kiss, I wanted to push for a little more. But he only gave me a few grunts and didn’t hug me. I’d been sad about the no hug thing. I wanted a Roman hug so badly.
The cheerleaders finish their routine on the field, and the guys are all getting ready. Hunter’s ass is looking mighty fine from where I’m sitting. He looks over and he sees me, and I blow him a kiss. I know he’s trying to concentrate, so I haven’t been trying to get his attention. This is an important game for him and for the entire school.
Music starts playing, and I see Hunter dancing along while listening to the coach. He’s an amazing dancer. Coach moves back a little, and Zack and Leo start dancing beside Hunter. I hold in my laugh as the coach eyes them, and they don’t seem to notice, or they do and don’t care. The three of them are doing some dance all in sync, like they’ve been practicing it for weeks. It’s quite funny. Coach isn’t impressed, but I see him crack a smile and shake his head when they finish.
“Are you a good dancer?” Cadence asks me.
I chuckle. “Hunter’s dancing skills are way above mine. I have some rhythm, but I can’t do that.” I stare down at him with dreamy eyes. I know I look like a lovestruck fool. But that’s because I am.
“Is Leo single?” Sadie randomly asks.
“I’m not sure. What about the marching band guy?” I ask, and her cheeks turn red. “No way. Sadie. Who is it? You were pointing, and he was …marching.” I giggle. I couldn’t follow her gesture because they were moving, so I’m not sure which one caught her eye.
Cadence doesn’t waste a second in jumping into the conversation. “Tyler Hall—he’s a senior.”
I don’t know him, but now I want to, if he’s making Sadie’s cheeks turn Rebels red. I have to bite back a smile. Maybe I should stop calling the color redRebels red.
