Page 33 of Fighting Fate

Laura was one of the first friends I made at West Raven. We met and became instant friends. Little did I know she was just here to try and get a chance at the half a million dollar reward on my head. Now that the reward has doubled, I’m a little frightened.

Who has that much money and wants me dead? It’s something I’ve thought a lot about. I’ve considered my stepdad—he is rich and he hates me, but if he wanted me dead, he would’ve had me killed years ago. He wouldn’t wait until now. I’m almost eighteen. He’s almost free of me.

I wonder if Hunter found out anything about my paternal grandparents. They’re the only ones I could think of that despise the fact that I exist. But Hunter hasn’t said anything else about them. I have a feeling it must not be them.

My mom also hates me. She’salwayshated me. But I don’t think she hates me enough to have me killed.

I just wish I knew. If I did, all of this would be over.

I swallow hard, realizing that when this is over, Hunter will be gone. And as horrible as it sounds, I’m not ready for this to be over just because I don’t want to say goodbye to Hunter yet.

After washing my hands, I head out of the bathroom. The door nearly hits Hunter because he’s standing so close to it.

Hunter grabs onto my hand and tugs me toward the dining hall.

“No wonder everybody thinks we’re dating.” I motion my head toward our intertwined hands.

He shrugs. “Since when do you care what everybody thinks?”

“I don’t.”

I never have cared what anybody thinks of me.

Back home, I didn’t have any friends—not really. People talked to me simply because Liam is my stepbrother, but that’s about it. Liam always told me it’s because I didn’t put myself out there, but I never wanted to put myself out there. It’s not like I could invite any friends over to the house. I was embarrassed about my room and about the way Mom and William treat me. That isn’t anybody’s business.

“I didn’t think so.” He opens the door, waiting for me to walk in first. “It’s one of the things I like about you—you’re wise beyond your years. When I was in school, I cared a lot about what everybody thought of me. I felt like I had to prove myself.”

“I bet everybody loved you.” Because Hunter is a very likable guy.

He smirks. “Yeah, pretty much. But even then, I always lived in the shadow of my older brother. You should meet him—he’s the charismatic one. And he can cook.”

“I do love food, but I doubt I’d like your brother more than you.”

We get into line and Hunter lets go of my hand, putting his hand on the small of my back. I hate how much I love his hand there. It gives me butterflies.

We get our food and head to our usual table. Harper isn’t there yet, but she should be soon.

A few seconds later, I spot Harper and Reed, her next ex-boyfriend as she dubs him, coming toward our table. Harper has a huge grin on her face and the two of them are holding hands.

I raise an eyebrow at her as she sits down, hoping she knows what I am asking. I want to know if the two of them are ‘official’ yet. She gives me a slight shake of the head.

Of course they’re not official yet—I’m sure that’s more on her part than Reed’s. He looks at Harper like she’s the most beautiful girl in the world. It’s really sweet.

Seeing Harper and Reed together makes me think maybe I should just date Griffin. Hunter is never going to like me and it would be nice to have a boyfriend for my senior year—somebody I can go to homecoming and prom with. Griffin is already going to homecoming with me. It would be more fun if we were officially dating.

The image of Hunter following Harper, Reed, Griffin, and me on a double date shatters the fun thoughts I had in my head. It would be absolutely horrible.

Harper giggles, pulling me out of my strange daydream. I look up and see that she is beaming at Reed in a similar way as he is her.

My stomach churns at how sweet they are. No longer feeling hungry, I push my tray of chicken strips and fries away. Hunter, seeing me push away my food, grabs a piece of chicken.

Huntertriesto eat healthily. Kale shots, smoothies, salads, and protein bars. Then I’ll find him eating an entire box of cereal in one setting or he’ll steal my leftover food. It always makes me laugh.

“You should just get what you like instead of whatever that is.” I wrinkle my nose, looking at his bowl. It’s full of different kinds of lettuce, vegetables, rice, and steak.

“Don’t knock it till you try it.” He pats his stomach. “I’m a growing boy.”

I roll my eyes.

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