Page 11 of Rocked: The Price of Dreams

“How long have you known each other?”

“Since the first day of elementary school. He used to live the other side of town before his parents bought this house and moved in a few days before school started.”

“That’s so cool. I wish I had a lifelong friend like that.” I had a couple of girlfriends, but even they annoyed me. They were into makeup and shopping and cheer squad and boys. None of that interested me.

“You do now.” He threw me a goofy grin. “You have Kyle and me.”

Yeah. That was awesome.

Hunter unlocked the pedestrian gate at his house, and we wheeled our bicycles up to the front door of the low-set ranch-style home. We dropped them and my backpack by the potted plants.

“Jenny?” a lady’s terse voice called out from somewhere inside the house. “Come here. It’s bath time.”

“No.” A young girl shrieked.

Hunter winced. “Um...do you want to come inside? Meet my mom, dad...and my sister, Jenny?”

“Sure.” I stepped toward the bright red front door, but he didn’t move.

He caught my arm. Worry glazed his eyes. “Before we go in...you should know...Jen’s autistic.”

I shook my head. “Yeah. So?”

“Oh.” His brows shot skyward. “It’s just that some people get awkward around her. She can be full on.”

More full on than what I’d just witnessed at Kyle’s place? I doubted it. Hunter had nothing to worry about. “It’s cool. My neighbor’s granddaughter is autistic. I got this.”

He narrowed his eyes that shimmered extra blue in the soft porch light. “I should never doubt you, should I?”

“Nope.”

He flicked his curls off his forehead and grinned his goofiest grin. “Jenny’s only eight, but she’s twice the size of you and will probably try to smother you. Ready?” He unlocked and opened the door. “Welcome to Chateau de Collins.”

Delicious smells of Italian food filled the air as we stepped inside the entrance. Rutgers football paraphernalia—flags, footballs and framed jerseys, cushions, throws and coasters—dominated the living room to the right. A game blared on the trendy new flatscreen TV. In the kitchen in the far corner, saucepans boiled on the stovetop. I inhaled the delicious smells as homely warmth surrounded me.

As Hunter dumped his backpack by the console table, a loud shriek split my ears.

“Hunter.”

A naked girl charged down the hallway toward him. She flung her arms around his waist. Her short wavy brown hair curtained her eyes.

“Jenny Bear.” He kissed the top of her head. “How are you?”

“You’re home. I missed you today.”

“I missed you, too.” He rubbed her arms. “I’d like you to meet someone.” He stepped back. “Jenny? This is my friend Gemma from school.”

Jenny lifted her head and her azure eyes widened. A mischievous smile curled across her lips. “Oh. Are you Hunter’s girlfriend? He’s never had a girlfriend.”

“Hi Jenny.” I waved. “No, I’m not his girlfriend. We’re just friends.”

“I like you. You’re pretty. Can I give you a hug?” She stepped forward, arms open wide. All her cute little rolls of chubbiness and curves swayed toward me.

“Ah, Jen?” Hunter caught her around the shoulders and turned her to face the hallway. “How about we get you bathed and dressed first, then you can give Gemma a hug.”

Hunter’s mom rushed out of the hall, holding a towel against her chest. “I’m so sorry. Jenny took off while I was fetching her pajamas.”

Jenny giggled as her mom wrapped the towel around her. The moment Jenny was covered, she rushed over to me and hugged me tight.

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