Page 52 of The Monster I Am
I grin, fingers smashing the controller buttons. “You weren’t saying that five minutes ago when you shot a load in my ass.”
“What the fuck have I walked into exactly?”
Ry and I turn at the same time, finding H standing in the doorway.
“Good,” Ry murmurs, pausing the game. “You’re finally here. You can help me kick Tai’s ass.”
“Big dreams you have there.” I chuckle, putting the controller on the ground and leaning back into the beanbag. “I was starting to think you weren’t coming,” I say to Hunter. “You don’t need all that extra beauty sleep. You’re adorable just as you are.” The three of us had organized a COD sesh at Rylan’s while his dad was out at some fancy-schmancy brunch thing. You know what they say—two’s company, three’s a party.
He doesn’t bite back at me with the usual witty remark. “We need to talk.”
I share a quick look with Ry at the serious turn of conversation. This doesn’t sound good.
“Are we breaking up?” I joke as H sits down on the third beanbag. “Because I can change, baby.”
Wow. Not even a smile orfuck you. My comedic talent is wasted on these lovable lunatics.
“We have a problem,” H says, low. “Several, actually.”
Ry frowns at him, putting his controller down. “What’s up?”
Hunter looks over. “It’s about Bexley.”
“Great,” Ry complains, running a hand over his face in anticipated exasperation. “If this is about what Olivia’s spouting, I don’t want to get into it.”
I wiggle my eyebrows at Rylan knowingly. “Still can’t believe we had to hear the dirty details from the grapevine. You’ve been holding out on us, asshole. Bexley—Wait,” I snap my head to glance at Hunter as a lightbulb goes off in my head. “Youcalled her Bexley.”
“Well, it’s her name, isn’t it?” He snaps back while Rylan gapes in disbelief. I mean, sure—it’s probably slipped out before, but the tone he used speaks supersonic volumes in Hunter world.
“We can circle back to that,” I say with amusement. “Tell us the issue.”
Hunter’s brows furrow, clearly unsure where to begin. “I was at her house last night.”
Okay. That’sa start, at least.
Rylan straightens up. “Why were you at her house? I swear to God, H, you better not have been harassing her. I have no idea what’s been up with you lately but I’m sick of being stuck in the middle.”
“Me?” Hunter spits out. “I haven’t done shit.”
“Well,” I start in a sing-song tone. “Youhavebeen in a bit of a mood lately. No offence.”
Folding his arms, Ry lets out a snort. “That’s putting it simply. One minute you’re fine, the next you’re raging. Now, answer the question. Why were you there without us?”
Hunter’s gaze shifts, as if he’s about to drop a bomb on us. “Not that it’s any of your business, but I’ve been there beforewithoutyou. Last I checked I didn’t need your permission.”
“Wait,” I wince. “Slow down a second because I’m getting Bexley-whiplash and not in the good sex injury way.”
If looks could kill, I’d be the sole survivor in this room as the pair of them shoot mutual daggers at each other. Ah, man. This is turning ugly. But hey… more Bexley for me, if murder goes down this weekend, I guess.
Contemplating his words in that Hunter-esque way that he does, he mumbles, “I’ve been over there before to fight with her. I’m surprised she never told you.”
“Seriously?” Rylan hisses. “Why are you hellbent on going after her still? Are you trying to punish Tai and I or something?”
“Yes.”
Well, consider me slapped in the face with the proverbial party tit. I was not expecting that confession. And judging by Ry’s livid face, neither was he.
But before he can leap off the beanbag to strangle his bestie, Hunter sighs dejectedly, sinking into his. “Not anymore though. I kissed her and stayed the night. That’s why I’m late.”
