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Becca tried to get it together before leaving the store. Her feelings kept jerking her around. She was afraid of these mysterious Guides—but pissed at Chris for feeding her a line of crap. She hated Tyler and Seth—but if they were just defending themselves, were they really the bullies?
It reminded her of Quinn’s question, about the night she’d saved Chris. Had she helped the right guy? Or had she just followed the natural instinct to help the victim?
When the electronic doors opened, she stepped into the blinding sunlight. She wanted to call Quinn, to tell her everything.
But Quinn was such a drama queen, she’d probably drive straight to the Merricks’ house to start rolling heads.
Anger is not our friend right now.
Had that been a warning? Or a threat?
Not like there was really a difference.
“Becca.”
Her name hit her like a gunshot. She almost stumbled.
Hunter sat on the long iron bench in front of the store. He wore a green long-sleeved shirt with a pattern of thorns over the heart and down one arm, paired with worn jeans and Doc Martens. Casper lay on the concrete in front of him, ears at half-mast, his tongue hanging out.
Hunter looked good. Normal. Safe.
“Hey,” she said.
“Sorry I scared you. I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”
It took her a second to realize he was still talking about the party. It felt like a month ago.
Hunter stood, looking a bit uncertain. “I don’t want to seem like a stalker or anything, but you said your phone was broken. I stopped by yesterday, and the manager said you got off at four today.”
“Oh.” She nodded. Get it together, genius. “Yeah.”
An awkward moment passed between them.
“Wait. I’m a jackass.” His expression changed, and he took a step back. He looked away. “When you said it was broken, you were just being—”
“No! It is. My phone. Broken.” Now she sounded like Yoda on crack. “I mean, it was. I got a new one. Yesterday.”
He still seemed unsure. “All right.” He hesitated. “Well, I guess I’ll see you at school then.”
“Wait!” She surged forward and put a hand on his arm. “You just came by to check on me?”
Hunter glanced down at her hand, and half a smile found its way onto his face. “It seemed like the right thing to do.”
He’d just come by to check on her. Not to drop nasty comments about her sexual prowess like Tommy Dunleavy or Drew McKay. Not to threaten her life like Tyler and Seth.
Not to mislead her like Chris.
The sunlight caught the white streak in his hair and made it shine silver. His eyes were bright, open, no hint of cunning or guile.
“You’re still wearing the stones,” he said softly.
Becca pulled her hand back, self-conscious now. She’d only taken them off to shower. She tucked a piece of hair behind her ear and felt heat creep up her cheeks. “Yeah, well, I didn’t want to lose them... .”
Lame.
“I’m glad.”
And now she was replaying the feel of his fingers along her wrist, the night he’d tied them on. She had to look away from his eyes, studying the pattern of thorns across his chest and shoulder.
