Page 54 of Enemy Games

I joined Chris in the back row for a silent trip to the hotel. I texted my parents, letting them know that I was staying at the hotel with the team tonight.

We split from the guys in the elevator, but only Benjamin said goodnight. I tried to meet Hunter’s eyes, but he stared down at the ground, ignoring me.

We got to Chris’s room and changed into pajamas before climbing into bed. I stared at the ceiling for several silent minutes until she rolled over.

“So Hunter apologized.”

“Yup.”

“How do you feel about that?”

“I'm not really sure.” I rolled over to face her. “I've held on to this idea of who he was for so long. It's hard to change that. It's hard to accept that he isn't that same person I always thought. But he's already proven that he's not the cruel boy he used to be. He's been nothing but helpful and kind since I got here … well, there … you know.”

She laughed. “Yeah, I get it.”

“I've been hanging on to something that happened over a decade ago. I’ve kept him locked in a version of who he used to be, but he's nothing like that anymore.”

She rested her head on her fist. “No, he's not.”

“My mom said I need to let go. That I wouldn't want anyone holding on to a past version of myself rather than getting to know who I am now.”

“Your mom's a smart lady.”

I chuckled. “Yes, she is.”

“So what are you going to do?”

“About what?”

Her lips curled. “About your crush on him?”

“Wh-wh-wh?” I sputtered. “What are you talking about?”

She started giggling. “It's pretty obvious you have a crush on him, but you don’t want to accept it, because you’ve still viewed him as your childhood bully. But now that you've let go of that, you can let yourself accept the fact that you like him. Like, like him.”

I made an attempt to laugh, but it came out more as a strangled cough. “I don't think I like like him.”

“I think you do, and I think that he likes you too.”

I propped myself up. “Why would you think that?”

“Were you not there tonight? Did you not put your arm around him? Did he not put his arm around you?”

My cheeks felt warm, but I refused to cave to this delusion she was under. “That was just to get Sadie off of his back.”

“Oh, really?” Her wicked smile grew. “Then why did it continue for so long? Why did you guys walk out with your arms around each other?”

I didn’t have an answer. I wasn't thinking at the moment. I just wanted to get away from all the reminders of my past and who I used to be. I wanted to stop caring about all those people. I wanted their opinions to stop mattering to me, and tonight, standing up for myself and him standing up for me, changed a lot. Not just between us, but within me. I was stronger than I thought.

And honestly, it felt good.

Being in his arms felt better than it should. Yeah, I was in trouble.

“I don't think I'm going to do anything about it,” I finally told her.

“Why not?”

“Because it's too complicated.”