AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Hunter!” Erica yelled, loud and with that high-pitched giggle at the end that always grated my nerves. “So good to see you, babe.”
Her sudden rush of excitement left everyone standing gob smacked. Arms up and anxious, she wrapped her slender arms around his neck and pulled him down toward her. The scene was reminiscent of every romantic movie where the protagonist reunited after being apart for years.
I felt sick.
My heart clenched painfully inside my chest.
There was no way I’d watch that shit and survive, no matter how much I lied to myself and said I was stronger, less vulnerable when it came to him.
“Hey.” Someone spoke just as I turned my head. Brad was standing next to me with a slick smile. I’d been so preoccupied with them that I failed to notice that our group had grown. “In need of some company?”
“Are you going to behave?” I deadpanned, my eyes narrowing. I was not in the mood to play nice.
“You wound me, babe.” Brad placed a hand on his chest and jutted his bottom lip out. I’m sure that to some other girl, that would’ve been cute, but to me it was annoying.
How many times would I have to express my disinterest?
“Not today,” I mumbled past the knot in my throat, determined to ignore my internal hell—forced myself not to look toward Hunter and that thing. Instead, I moved past Brad so I could lean against the end of the picnic table. “And what’re you doing here? Emi said you weren’t coming.”
“Ouch.” This time the wounded look seemed a bit more genuine. “Hate me that much?”
“Hate is such a strong word.” Looking away from him, I picked at the frayed edges of my shorts. “Just wish you’d back off and accept that I can only see you as a friend. Nothing more.”
“Give me a chance, Bailey.” He came closer, arm brushing against mine. “We’d look so good together. Be perfect.”
For months this had been his approach. Nice, then a compliment, and then try to steal a kiss.
Sure, we had friends in common and my best friend was dating his brother, but it’d never changed a damn thing. Brad was cute in a conventional way, but not my type.
“I’m sorry, but still a no.”
“Not giving up.” Brad shrugged; his fidgeting hand twisted the cap from his water bottle. He took a long pull, eyes on mine the entire time.
“The wait is going to kill you.”
“Patience is a virtue—”
“That you don’t possess, jerk.” I laughed.
Brad’s eyes narrowed, a serious expression on his face. It screamed determination. “Can we talk in private?” He moved, positioned himself in front of me, and grabbed my hand. “Give me twenty minutes of your time. Just me and you. No bullshit.”
“About? Because I’ve been more than clear on my feelings or lack thereof—”
“Why didn’t you tell me you had a boyfriend, Bailey?” he interrupted, face showing displeasure at my resistance. And yet, his voice held calm. Too calm.
Removing my hand from his, I took a few steps to the side and out of his immediate space. “It’s a very recent development.” Didn’t feel the need to elaborate.
“I don’t like it, B. You were supposed to be with me.” This time, a bit of the anger that lay beneath the surface rose, but he tamped it down just as quick. The sole indicator of his annoyance was the flare of his nostrils. “What does he have that I don’t, huh? The guy doesn’t even live here.”
“We don’t always get what we want.” Ignoring his last two questions, I shrugged. “Besides, we’ll always be better off as friends. You wouldn’t make it to your twenty-first birthday without me killing you otherwise.”
“That’s not what I want.”
“Tough, but that’s life.”
“Give us a chance.” Desperation now seeped into his tone, and I hated that. Hated when a man begged for attention.
“I’m sorry.” Even if Hunter had not been in the picture, I’d never be with him. No one could replace Hunter Miles. “We will never be. Please stop.”
