Page 84 of Sunshine with You
“I didn’t want to be another person telling her what she should do.” I reach for my cup and try to wash down the lump forming in my throat. It grows. The look in Willa’s eyes falls from condescension to sympathy, and I drop my gaze to discourage the knot clustering in my stomach. “And you know how skittish she is. I didn’t want to scare her off.”
“Aw. That’s actually really sweet, Hunter.” She smiles and nudges me with her elbow. “I still don’t think it’s going to last with him, by the way. You have the advantage here; no one knows about your situationship. If you wipe that scowl off your face, it can stay that way. It’s just for the weekend. You can hash it out with her when we fly home tomorrow.”
I nod, knowing she’s right about my advantage and my face. I’m no good at pretending I’m happy when I’m not, but I’ve got to pull it out from somewhere because this weekend isn’t about meorus. The food comes, and I focus all my energy on hiding the agony rifling through me, just long enough to eat and get back in the car.
When we pull into the hotel parking garage, Willa hops out of the backseat quickly, leaving me alone with Ashlie. “She knows about the bet?” I ask, glancing at her.
That thumbnail goes to her mouth as she flashes a nervous smile. “Yeah… She saw us holding hands on the way to lunch on Wednesday.”
I bob my head, silence filling the air as she gnaws away. After several seconds, I can’t take it anymore. I pull her nervous hand from her mouth and move it across the armrest with mine.
“What’s wrong?” I wiggle my fingers into her fist until she lets me fill the space in between hers.
“It’s nothing.”
“It’s clearly something. You’ve been in a mood since yesterday, and if you take one more bite of that thumbnail, you’ll need stitches. So tell me.”
“You’re mad about the Trevor thing…”
“I’m not.”
“You’ve been shooting fire daggers from your eyes all morning.”
I snort at the imagery. “What the hell arefire daggers,Ash?”
“Whatever. You know what I mean. You’re mad, and I’m just worried about tonight.” She slips the other thumbnail between her teeth.
“It sounds like you’ve got some fun things planned…” I try to deflect. She’s not entirely wrong. I’ve been pissed all morning. I don’t want her to know, but seeing them together has made me hate this stupid-ass bet.
“I’m not worried about the bachelorette party. I’m worried about you and Trevor being stuck together all night.”
“You think I’m going to, what? Challenge him to a duel?” I smirk.
She gives me a side-eye and tilts her head. “A duel is just a bet with weapons. I don’t put anything past you.” Letting out a heavy sigh, she turns toward me. “Look, I don’t know what to think. Just…don’t start anything, okay?”
“Me? Start something? Never…” I joke.
“I’m serious, Hunt.” There’s tension in her voice as she meets my eyes without an ounce of humor. “I know you’re mad. You won’t say it, but you are.”
“Hey.” I kiss her temple. “Nothing’s going to happen on my end. I swear.”
“Bruh, one month. You ready?”I clap Chase on the shoulder and reach for my beer.
He nods and takes a swig from his bottle. “More than ready.”
“Are you gonna cry?” Trevor asks.
“Of course he’s gonna cry,” I say. “He loses it over that penguin movie.”
“Hey, that wasone timewhen I’d had a rough day.”
“Okay, but what about thatotherpenguin movie?” I smirk.
“Another bad day…” Chase says, chuckling before taking another drink. Trevor’s laugh roars across the table, joining my chuckle.
Ripley’s sport’s bar has three big screens, each showing a different game. Small alcoves house pool tables and dartboards. Brown-stained concrete floors and dim track lighting make this place feel a few steps above a cave, but it’s still been a pretty fun time. After a few rounds of beer, billiards, and way too much shit-talking, we’re slowing it down back at one of the high pedestal tables. My scowl has gone back into hibernation, despite having to deal with the unsuspecting enemy across the table. It turns out, Trevor isn’t too bad to be around. He’s goofy as hell, but chill—when I set aside the fact that he’s also vying for Ashlie’s affection.
“Alright, well, you two don’t need me for this roast. I’ll be back.” Chase leaves the table, and I realize just how much he’s driven the conversation tonight. I have nothing original to say to Trevor, so I grab my beer and drink, just to help the quiet make sense.
