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What did I do to deserve this?
“I’m sorry, Cove.” Hunter puts his arm around me and squeezes me against him.
His embrace is more comforting than it should be. I try to tell myself that it’s just comforting because he’s my bodyguard. He’s saved my life more times than I can count. But I can’t fool myself. I know it’s more than that.
“It’s okay.” I chew on my lip harder, trying to distract myself.
“It’s not okay,” Hunter says. “But it will be. I will take care of you, no matter what. Even if I have to take you away from this school and hide you away, I will do whatever it takes to keep you safe.”
My heart swells at his words.
“Until then, you have to live, Cove.” He pulls back, looking me in the eye. “Enjoy these moments—enjoy homecoming and Spirit Week. Enjoy going out on dates and the little things that make life worth living.”
My eyes widen. “Hunter, Iamtrying. The one date I went out on, I almost got killed. And let’s not forget what happened today when we went dress shopping. Every time I do something normal, somebody tries to murder me.”
“You still have to try,” he says. “I’ll always be there to protect you.”
I nod, knowing he’s right.
“Why don’t you text Griffin and see if he wants to hang out tonight?” Hunter asks. “He’s already made his interest clear by asking you to homecoming. It might do you some good to get out and get your mind off everything.”
I hesitate. “I don’t know.”
Who I really want to go to homecoming with doesn’t like me like that. But I can’t explain that to Hunter seeing asheis the one I really want to go with.
Maybe I reallyshouldask Griffin to hang out. I should try with him. But if I did, it wouldn’t really be fair to Griffin. My heart already belongs to somebody else. I don’t want to lead him on.
My phone chimes, so I glance down and see a text from Griffin. I look back up and see Hunter smirk as he looks at his own phone.
I guess the choice was made for me.
I roll my eyes at Hunter. “It’s not at all annoying that you get all of my texts.”
“Shut up and text him back,” Hunter teases.
I stick my tongue out before unlocking my phone.
GRIFFIN:Are you up to hanging out tonight?
Am I up to it?
Not really, no.
I was chased through the mall today by a girl with a gun. But Hunter is right. I do need to keep living. I also do need to keep my homecoming date because the guy I like doesn’t feel the same about me.
ME:Yes, please.
He replies right away.
GRIFFIN:Meet me at East Raven campus around 8? At the docks?
I look up at Hunter. “Do you know where the docks at East Raven are?”
“Yeah,” he answers.
“Thanks,” I say, looking back at my phone.
ME:I’ll be there.
