I climbed into Hunter’s car, more than ready to go home. I could hear their raised voices, see the angry gestures in the side mirror of his car. And then it was over. Hunter smoothed down his shirt and strode over to the car, my parents retreating inside the house.
“You okay?” Hunter asked as he drove me across town. He didn’t mention his conversation with our parents, nor did I ask. It was enough to know that he had my back.
“No,” I said quietly, wrapping my arms around myself.
Although I was upset after the fight with my parents, I was more devastated over what had happened with Xander. How could he act like he didn’t know who I was? Sure, I’d lied about something—something big. But I was stillme.And I’d bared myself to him—body, heart, and soul. His comments had shredded me, and I felt raw.
Hunter gripped the wheel tighter. “Fuck ’em. It’s not like you need their money. In just a few years, you’ll have unrestricted access to your trust fund. And I’ll help you in the meantime.”
I loved my brother. He could be an overprotective, overbearing ass at times, but I knew without a doubt that he was there for me, that he loved me. Even if I bucked family convention by pursuing an art degree instead of something our parents deemed more “respectable.”
“Thanks.”
“Do you want to stop and pick up something to eat?” he asked, knowing I’d spent a decent portion of the gala crying in the bathroom. I hadn’t left, despite wanting to. But I hadn’t been the smiling, trophy daughter my parents wished for either.
I slumped in my seat, exhausted. Defeated. “I just want to go home.”
“Of course.” He flipped on his indicator, signaling a turn in the opposite direction of my apartment with Brie.
“About that…”
“I love you, and I support you. But if you tell me you’re living with that…with Professor X, I’m going to lose it.”
I laughed despite myself. “No. But after you bought your house, I moved in with Brie to save on rent.”
He shook his head. “Jesus, Kate. Any more secrets you need to share?”
I pursed my lips, knowing he was joking—mostly. “Um, I think that’s it.”
“No secret pregnancies or hidden husbands?”
I glanced at him, horrified. “Um, no.”
“Okay.” He changed direction, navigating to Brie’s since he already knew the way.
He didn’t say much the rest of the drive, and I was grateful. When he pulled up in front of our building, he put the car in park, the engine idling as we waited.
He turned and looked at me over the gearshift. “You’re going to be okay. You know that, right?”
I nodded, though I wasn’t sure I believed it. I might survive this ordeal with my parents, but I wasn’t sure I could live without Xander.
“Do you want me to come in and, I don’t know, eat ice cream and watch chick flicks?” He tugged at the collar of his shirt, and I knew he’d follow through if I needed him to. But I wasn’t going to torture him like that. Besides, I just wanted to be alone.
“Rain check?”
He nodded, and I saw his shoulders relax. “Where’s my hug?”
I leaned over the console, squeezing him tight. “Love you, Hunt.”
“Love you too, Kitty Kate.”
He gave me another squeeze before releasing me.
As I walked up the path to my apartment, I felt relief mingled with a powerful sense of sadness. I was relieved to have finally told my parents the truth. Relieved that it was all out in the open. But it had come at a high price. I shouldn’t have kept secrets from Xander. I should’ve been as brave with him as I’d encouraged him to be with his art.
I was a coward and a fraud. A liar.
But as disappointed as I was in myself, I was also disappointed in him. Because at the first sign of trouble, he’d run. When it was no longer convenient, or easy, to be with me—he gave up. Just like he had with his art.
