Chapter 11

Ava

A week has passed since Hunter was in my room warning me to mind my own business and stay out of his life. As much as I want to, I just can’t seem to help it; my curiosity has gotten the better of me. The more he tries to push me away, the more I want to know about him, about why everyone says he’s dangerous.

Of course, there are rumors around the school, but you can never really rely on them, can you? I know this for a fact, since one of the rumors is that he’s slept with every girl in our year; that’s clearly fake because I’ve never slept with him, and neither has Lily.

I have to be careful with what I chose to believe, so I’ve opted for the more dangerous option: getting information straight from the source.

Every day at school, I’ve tried to talk to Hunter about what’s bothering him, but he always ignores me or finds a way to change the subject. He’s now going to great lengths to avoid me.

School is still a big challenge that I’ve yet to get used to. I see and feel people’s gazes follow me all the time. I’m trying to ignore them, but the key word here is “try.” It is way harder than I thought it would be.

But all their whispers and sniggers behind my back, which I can clearly hear, are nothing compared to the devil’s.

Jessica has been relentless since it was made known to the whole school that I am “dating” Hunter. Most girls have given up trying to get us to break up, but not Jessica. She is always finding new ways to humiliate and upset me because she knows that I am a little scared of her.

However, every time Jessica tries this in front of the Hunter, Liam, and Declan, they shut her down. They always jump in and help me out because I get too tongue-tied to stick up for myself.

I don’t want to be a problem, a burden. The Three Musketeers insist that they don’t mind helping me, but I bet deep down they wish I would grow a spine and stop allowing myself to be treated that way.

I want to be able to fight my own battles, to stand up to Jessica—or anyone, for that matter—without choking on my words. But what Jessica says doesn’t just hurt me; it cuts so deep that it leaves a scar. In the mirror, I can sometimes see those scars beneath my skin.

Hunter and I haven’t developed our relationship any further; we haven’t found common ground, so it’s difficult to even hold a conversation. We’ve hung out for the past week but have barely said two words to each other, and I think people are becoming a little suspicious.

Right now, I’m standing on the side of the football field. Hunter’s always hanging out with his mates or playing football after school because he is the captain. He says he has to work really hard to make sure his team is up to scratch. It’s clearly important to him that they have a fighting chance this year.

There’s a light trickle of fine rain gently kissing my face, and the wind tries to sweep me off the field because it knows I am an imposter. Still, I hold my ground. Hunter is my ride home, and I said it was fine that he had practice; I would wait.

It was stupid, really. I ~was~ fine with waiting, but in this weather, I’m not.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the rain. You have to if you live in miserable, drizzly England. But I don’t like being out in it; I just like listening to the sound of it while I’m curled up with a good book.

After another twenty minutes, I feel the bone-biting cold seeping into my blood, cruising through my body. I am chilled down to my core, and uncontrollable shivers take over my body.

I can tell my cheeks are rosy red, and my nose is starting to run, but I have no tissues on hand.

I stand there, hugging my own shaking figure, as I watch the coach and a few other players pack up the equipment. God must be answering my prayers because I finally see the boys make their way into the changing rooms to clean off all the mud from training. Then I feel two warm, strong arms coil and snake around my waist.

My body instantly goes on full alert, and I try to get out of the devil’s grip. I’m just about to scream when a whisper tells me it’s Hunter. I relax a bit.

We have been hugging and holding hands in public, but I’m still not used to him holding me. It just doesn’t feel right. Nevertheless, I have to deal with it.

He is my “boyfriend” after all.

We walk to his car slowly, in silence, with his arm around my waist. I’m still shivering slightly from standing out in the awful weather, but he is so warm that I unconsciously lean into him.

As we walk, I wonder why Hunter’s being so friendly with me. Maybe he’s putting on a show for everyone at practice, or maybe the training has let him release some of that steam.

Hunter unlocks the car with a click of his button, and we both jump in to try to escape the cold. I immediately start fiddling with all the buttons to turn up the heat as Hunter shoves his bag into the back. He glances at me but says nothing, instead starting the car and backing out of the parking lot.

It’s only a few minutes before warmth starts to seep back into my bones, and my muscles begin to relax. I decide to voice the issue that had been eating away at my mind.

“Hunter, do we need to set some rules?” My voice comes out calmly, but that’s not really what I’m feeling right now.

He seems surprised but takes his time responding. “Like what, princess?”

I take a deep breath before answering. “Well, for starters, how about no cheating? I know what you are like, and I don’t want to be made a fool of again, so can you try to just keep it in your pants?”

He says nothing but inclines his head for me to continue.

“You also have to fuel my ice cream obsession because if I’m going to put up with you, I need some type of motivation.

“Lastly…” My voice starts to shake, and I feel my words get lodged in my throat. “Lastly, no sex.” It comes out in a rush, but I’m not sure he heard me until a smirk overtakes his features.

“You may think that now, princess, but you’ll change your mind when you see what’s under here.” He motions to himself, waving his hand over his perfectly sculpted body.

I roll my eyes but feel my cheeks redden at my thoughts. “No, thank you.”

Hunter doesn’t say anything for a few seconds, but then he asks if there is anything else. I shake my head.

“Okay, well, I have a few rules of my own.” I see him smirk, which is making me nervous. ~Oh, dear Lord, I am in so much trouble.~ “They are two simple rules, shouldn’t be hard to follow.

“First”—Hunter pauses for dramatic effect—“you aren’t allowed to tell people that we aren’t legit.”

I nod. That much is obvious; if I told anyone, then that would just give them a better reason to make fun of me.

I keep my mouth shut, not wanting to start an argument, and stay silent, letting him continue.

“Second, you, princess, are not allowed to fall for me.”

I scoffed. There is no way I’d fall for that jack ass. I’m not like all the other girls who are so desperate for him to “do” them.

“Don’t worry, that won’t happen, ever.”

He turns to me and smirks. “Good because that’s too much drama and hassle.”

I roll my eyes. He sounds like a girl saying that, but I don’t comment.

When we pull up to my house, Hunter says, “Well, I’ll see you tomorrow, princess.”

I look at him with confusion written all over my face. ~Tomorrow? Tomorrow is Saturday, right?~

He answers my question before I even ask. “Tomorrow I’m bringing you to meet my parents. They found out I have a ‘girlfriend,’ and they want to meet you.” He uses quotation marks around the word “girlfriend.”

I roll my eyes, but then his words sink in, and my eyes widen. ~Meet his parents.~ I can’t do that; I barely know who he is as a person.

“Don’t worry, you’ll be a fine princess.”

I nod at his words even though they aren’t very comforting.

Feeling numb, I shut the car door behind me and make my way up to my house. Hunter doesn’t drive off until I’ve unlocked the front door and stepped through it, letting him know that I am safe inside. ~I guess that was sweet of him.~

I shut the door and slump against it. The news about meeting his parents swirls around my brain.

~I can do this, right?~