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“Huh?”
The worry line deepens. “You zoned off on me, baby.” He reaches out and gently traces a path along the side of my face, causing my eyelashes to flutter. “Everything okay?”
I nod, searching his eyes, wondering and wondering …
Is he the angelic boy from the memory?
If so, why is no one speaking about it, that we know each other?
Why am I not?
Because I’m afraid, and because my mother once told me not to talk about the past. It’s ingrained in my mind, and I wish I could just let it go, but I can’t.
I’m terrified.
Of looking crazy again.
Of getting locked up in that padded room again with that perverted doctor.
“I’m fine.” I give him a reassuring smile that is totally fake.
His lips tug downward, but he doesn’t comment. I’m unsure if it’s because he knows I won’t tell him, worries I will, or if he’ll pry later when Low isn’t around.
“So, she needs some workout clothes.” Hunter looks at Low, changing the conversation and abruptly giving me whiplash.
Low looks about the same way, blinking her blue eyes at him in confusion. “What?”
“Raven needs some workout clothes,” Hunter specifies. “I told you this on the phone.”
“I know, but …” She slides her gaze between us.
“And she’ll need something to wear to a party later tonight,” Hunter continues, glancing at a clock on the wall. “I’m running low on time, so I’ll let you guys figure out what to wear.” He turns to me. “You’re okay with that, right?”
“Yeah … But wait. I’m going to the party?” I ask.
He nods. “Unless you’re not comfortable with that. But we kind of need to act like everything is normal so no one suspects we’re spying on it. Plus, it’s good to keep an eye on things, you know. If you don’t want to, that’s totally fine. One of us can take you somewhere and hang out.”
I shake my head. “No, it’s fine. It’s just …” I pick at the chipped black nail polish on my thumb. “I haven’t really partied much.” Only once, actually. “And stuff has never gone well for me when I have gone to them, so I’m a little nervous.” Admitting that aloud is hard, and truthfully, I’m not a fan of doing so. Nor am I sure why I did it other than I think I’m letting my guard down in front of him.
I just hope I’m not making a mistake by doing so.
I wish I could say I fully trust him, but it’s difficult to trust anyone when you’ve spent your life feeling as though you’re walking on a thin layer of ice that’s slowly cracking.
Hunter’s expression softens. “You really don’t have to go if you don’t want to.”
“No, it’s fine.” I give a dismissive flick of my wrist. “I was just saying my thoughts aloud so I didn’t look like a twitchy weirdo.”
He studies me intently. “Benton’s parties are fairly calm, and one of us will always be with you. Honestly, everyone will probably just be hanging out, drinking.”
“Okay, but I promise I’m fine.” I smile so he’ll know I’m being serious.
“Wait—Benton is having a party at your house?” Low questions, rubbing a melted snowflake off of her arm.
Hunter glances at her. “He asked us to do it.”
“Because you’re bugging the party?” she guesses.
He puts a finger to his lips. “Yeah, but you need to pretend you know nothing about that. You know the rules.”
