Page 28 of The Non-Hook Up

I meet Hunter’s eyes and the sadness that resides there almost crushes me. “They were all we had, Mia.”

The truth in his words hits and I know they were true, but it still doesn't take away from what they did.

Not wanting to have this conversation, I finally look away, looking out at Hunter’s truck, at what is going to be my new life as I say, “Let’s go. When I get there, I still have to unpack and don’t wanna be up all night.”

I leave without waiting for a reply, heading for the truck while hearing the screen door close behind me, saying goodbye to the life I once knew.

The drive is quiet with only the sound of the radio playing a new song I haven't heard, but it's the kind that I hate. It's a song with no meaning and sounds more like noise. Music is a passion of mine, one that communicates with me and helps me to communicate, helps me to feel like I'm not alone with just a few lyrics. But this song only increased my anxiety, and it has gone on for long enough.

Eventually, I slam a hand on the radio, turning it off and descending the car into silence that's so thick with words unspoken. So thick that I feel like if it lasts any longer, I’ll choke on it.

I clear my throat, unsure of what I would say, but decide to say the first thing to pops into my mind. “Know this isn’t ideal, but I need to do this. I’ve spent my life doing what Mom and Dad told me to do, so now I don’t know what I want to do myself. I need this time to figure it out.”

His jaw tenses. “I know, but does it have to involve living with a strange guy?”

I scoff. “He’s Conner’s older brother. I doubt that makes him a strange guy.”

“He ran off on his family.”

I turn in my seat to face him, feeling the seatbelt tighten around me, and a need to defend Riley sparks out of nowhere. “He went to Europe. Last time I checked, there are hundreds of teenagers doing that after they graduate.”

He takes his eyes off the road long enough to level me with a look. “For years, Mia?”

I narrow my eyes at him, seeing his point. “Some people are like that. They don’t feel at home here, so they go out into the world, searching for something. Maybe that was what Riley was looking for.”

With his eyes returning to the road, I see the wheels ticking in his head before he asks, “Why are you defending him?”

I blink at his sudden question, but I can't think of a good reason except for the fact that he's helped me and is helping me, so I shouldn’t be too hard on the guy. Also, he’s very hot but no way am I gonna tell my brother that.

Instead, I shrug and say, “I just think there is more to the story. We need to give him a chance.”

He looks at me again, disbelief in his eyes as he quips, “Who are you and what have you done with my sister?”

I laugh because he is right. A month ago, I would have given him a hard time, just assumed and judged, but after those moments we’ve talked, and he has confided in me, I have to think that there must be more to the story and that it wasn’t strange for him to just pack up and leave. It wasn’t fair to Conner and his family, but I would be lying if I didn’t feel like doing something similar these days.

But that is another thing I would never tell my brother.

CHAPTER 16

RILEY

Irush around the apartment, trying to tidy it up as best I can, kicking my toe on tables and chair legs, which brings me crippling down to my knees. I trip on chords I forgot were there. Safe to say that I have spent more time on the floor than I have in the past few months.

I hobble up, my phone to my ear and ringing as I growl into it, “Answer the fucking phone.”

As if on demand, the ringing stops and is followed by the sound of my little brother Conner. “Yep.”

“Why haven’t you been answering your phone? I’ve been calling all night,” I growl through gritted teeth as the stress starts to take over.

“Well, last night I was asleep like a normal person, and I’ve been busy all day with Charlie. Ava just got home from a morning class.” He pauses as I hear Ava say something in the background, words I can't make out. “And I hear congratulations are in order with the new roommate.”

I can practically hear the grin on his face from over the phone, and I narrow my eyes at him, knowing he can’t see me when I hiss, “Shut up.”

He laughs. “What’s wrong with you? You’re the one that offered.”

I want to kick myself. I wanted to help her and seeing her looking so hopeless with fear hidden in her eyes, my mouth started to move before I could stop it. Before I knew it, I had offered my place. She had initially said no, but had surprised me when she came up to the bar and asked about the room, saying she would take it.

We had organised for her to move in today to give her time to settle and to give me time to talk to Danny about the job. What have I done?

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