“Hey, Josh, congrats!”
He threw his arm around my shoulders in a quick, brotherly hug.
“You did well.”
“Thank you.” He grinned. “I’m beat now. Can’t wait to go home and celebrate with my girl.” His head poked around. “Speaking of, where is she?”
“Over there.” I chin-nodded down the hallway, where she seemed to be locked in a heated conversation, clutching the roots of her hair. “Listen, just a heads-up, she’s talking to her dad.”
An unusual dark expression swept over Josh’s features. “Ah, I see.”
Obviously, Layla’s dad was a sore subject. He knew that Marco Antonelli would never accept their relationship—never accepthim.
“Anyways.” He swiftly shook off the grey cloud looming over him, hoisting the strap of his bag higher up his shoulder. “We need to talk.”
I arched my brow. “About what?”
“About Hunter.”
Just hearing his name caused my chest to clench. “What about Hunter?”
Josh tucked his hands in the pockets of his pants. “In case it wasn’t fucking obvious, he likes you. A lot. That date he planned on Friday night? It was his way of showing it to you. Though it’s not my place to say this, I really think you should give him a chance. Hunter’s a great guy, Gabby. One of the best. I swear, he’ll treat you like a princess.”
My throat was uncomfortably tight. Josh wasn’t saying anything I didn’t already know. “I’m aware, Josh. Believe me, I want the same things as Hunter.”
Josh perked up like he wasn’t expecting me to say that. Another arrow of guilt pricked my skin. I must have done a great job convincing everyone on Friday night that there was no future for Hunter and me beyond friendship. “Okay, great. My job here is done.”
“That’s actually why I’m here tonight. I want to talk to Hunter. I’m hoping it’s not too late to fix things.”
“It’s not,” Josh insisted. “Hunter’s been a mess these last few days. He’s still got it bad for you.”
I didn’t like knowing he’d been a mess. The need to assuage his pain pulsed through me like a command. I needed to see him. Now.
“He’s in there, by the way.” Josh angled his head in the direction of the locker room. “There’s no one left except for him.” He shrugged. “You know, if you wanted to talk to him or something.”
Or something.
He meant us kissing and making up.
That was definitely on the agenda, once Hunter and I sorted out our feelings.
“Thanks, Josh. I appreciate it. I’ll see you and Layla soon.” I hiked a thumb towards the locker room. “I’m going to go talk to Hunter.”
As my feet carried me towards my destination, I heard Josh say, “You’re welcome. Have a good night.”
“You, too.”
“Oh—wait a second!”
“Yeah?” I glanced at him over my shoulder, with my hand on the locker room door.
“In case you need further evidence of how whipped my best friend is for you: He never hadHorror & Cult Classic Cinema to begin with. He only switched into that class after you sent him your schedule. Hunter was willing to put himself through hours of torture if it meant spending time with you, Gabby.”
CHAPTER 21
Fangirl Behaviour
Hunter
