Page 44 of In The Dark
“Wow. You must be so full of love then.”
“For the right people.” He kisses the top of my head. “Can I have a tour of your place?”
“Is that code for wanting to see my bedroom so I’ll take my clothes off.”
“I have other interests besides your body, angel.”
“Oh yeah?” I poke his side, grinning when he takes my hand in his and kisses it. All of this feels so natural, like we’ve done it a hundred times before. “Like?”
“Baseball. I used to play on a little league team when I was younger.”
“Baseball? Huh. Arguably the most boring sport.”
“Jesus Christ, Max.” Hunter groans and puts a hand over his chest. “You wound me.”
I laugh again and stand, pulling him to his feet. “Will showing you my room make up for the pain I’ve caused?”
“Oh, without a doubt, sweetheart. I think I also need to try out your bed.”
I lead him down the hall, telling him about the pictures hanging on the wall. He asks questions here and there, wondering about my soccer career and what position I played, genuinely interested in hearing what I have to say. When we get to my room, I pause before opening the door.
“I have to apologize,” I say, and Hunter lifts an eyebrow.
“Are you the one with the slaughterhouse?”
“No way. I hate blood, remember?” I huff and cross my arms over my chest. “My room is messy. Teaching takes a lot out of me, and I also handle after school care for students who don’t get picked up until late in the day. I haven’t had time to clean up.”
“Hey.” He cups my cheeks and tilts my head back. “You don’t need to do anything to impress me, Max. I don’t care if there are clothes everywhere and dirty towels on the floor.”
“What about cockroaches?” I whisper, and he grins. “Or spiders?”
“From all the haunted houses I’ve worked in, nothing phases me anymore. I hope there are rats too.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive.”
“If you say so.” I open the door and hold out my arm. “Welcome.”
“Wow.” Hunter steps across the hardwood floor in his bright pink socks and surveys the space. Never in a million years did I think he’d be here after our first encounter, but I’m glad he is. “I like it.”
“Thanks.” I move to the bookshelf and stand on my toes, fixing a book with a dark spine that’s out of order. “Can’t forget the bed you’re so eager to see.”
“Feels like I’ve been waiting my whole life for this.” Hunter flops on the bed and frowns. “This mattress sucks.”
“It’s not the best, but it was cheap, and it gets the job done.” I join him on the bed and wiggle on the comforter. “Okay, yeah. This does suck.”
“You sleep on this every night?”
“Where else would I sleep?”
“The floor might actually be more comfortable.”
“It’s notthatbad.” I rest my hands on my stomach and look over at him. “I’m getting a raise at the end of the school year, and I’m planning to put some of that money toward a new mattress.”
“The end of the school year is months away.”
“It is, but I’ve survived this long, and I’m doing just fine.”
