“I’m fine,” I mutter, shoving my hands into my shorts pockets.
We reach his truck parked at the curb, but before I can grab the handle, Mason catches my wrist. The crowd filters past us, but he pulls me aside, stopping right in the middle of the sidewalk under a streetlamp.
“Hunter.” His tone is firm, the kind that makes my blood simmer. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing,” I say quickly. Too quickly.
He doesn’t let go of my wrist. His eyes search mine, steady and unrelenting. “Don’t do that. Don’t shut me out.”
I groan softly. “It’s stupid.”
He scoffs. “Try me.”
I inhale a sharp breath, eyes pinched shut. “I just—” I shake my head, my voice cracking. “I worry that you… that you only settled for me. Like I was convenient or something. That you’re not even really attracted to me. And I wouldn’t even blame you if you’re, you know, hooking up with other people, because I’m not—”
“Hunter.”
“—I’m not exactly the kind of guy people pick first. I mean, Aliyah basically said it—how hard it is to find decent guys around here. So maybe I’m just—”
My rambling chokes off as his mouth crashes against mine. His kiss is rough, certain, demolishing every anxious word I haven’t said yet. His hand slides to the back of my neck, holding me there like he’s afraid I’ll slip away.
My heart thuds heavily against my ribs. There’s still people surrounding us, giving us ugly glances as we block the pathway, but he doesn’t let go of me.
“Mason,” I croak, my eyes bouncing nervously between his. “We’re… in public.”
“I don’t care,” he insists, holding my face steady. “I didn’t settle for you, Hunter. And just for the record, I’m not sleeping with other people. You’re all I want for the summer. I promise.”
I swallow hard. “Okay.”
Mason finally releases me, though his fingers linger against mine before he lets go completely. My heart tumbles in my chest as we climb into the truck.
The drive starts in silence, headlights sweeping across the crowded streets as we crawl past families dragging kids in wagons and teenagers lighting sparklers in the dark. My fingers twist nervously in my lap, the echo of our kiss still burning on my lips.
“So…” I clear my throat. “Are you going to come out? Because people definitely saw us back there.”
Mason glances at me, hands tightening on the wheel. “I’m not about to make some big announcement, if that’s what you mean. But I’ve been thinking about it for a while, and I’m tired of pretending to be someone I’m not.”
My stomach twists. “So you’re not… scared?”
He laughs humorlessly. “I know my family won’t care—it’s everyone else in this goddamn town I’m worried about. But I only have a couple months left with you, and I don’t want to waste time hiding.”
I press my nails into my palms, ignoring the block of ice freezing in my throat.
The downtown area slips by in a blur of streetlights and darkened storefronts. Every once in a while, another firework cracks in the distance, the flash of color bleeding across the horizon before fading back into black. A smoky haze lingers in the sky.
When we pull up to my place, Mason shifts the truck into park. He leans back in his seat, watching me with a firm gaze that cuts deep under my skin.
“Have a good night, Hunter,” he says softly.
He leans across the center console and pecks my lips with a short, sweet kiss. His thumb gently smooths over my cheek before he pulls back.
My throat tightens. I manage a small smile, hand hovering on the door handle. “Night, Mase.”
The air feels colder as I step out and shut the door behind me. His headlights glow brightly on my backside until I disappear inside.
In my bedroom, I strip down to my underwear and climb into bed. Somewhere outside, fireworks are still exploding with muffled thuds that rattle through the summer air. I let the sound wash over me, steady and rhythmic, and fall asleep with the sweet memory of Mason’s mouth on mine.
Chapter Twenty-Six
