“Yeah, I do. But they already know I’m a screw-up. You’re their perfect daughter, valedictorian, track star, accomplished artist. You’re not supposed to say bad words.”
“Oh please, that’s such a double standard,” I growled. “And I wasnotvaledictorian! I was salutatorian. That’s like sEcond place. That’s like losing.”
Beckett snorted loudly at that.
My mom shot us a dirty look in the middle of Lennox laughing through the punch line of one of his stories. I plastered on a smile and turned away from Beckett so I could pay attention better.
“Bad words now, Els, really?” Grayson started in as soon as I was facing his direction. “What exactly has gotten into you?”
“Are you kidding me right now?” I hissed.
“This is about Hunter, isn’t it?” Beckett accused, back in my ear again.
“Oh no,” I muttered, shaking my head in defeat.
“Are the rumors true, Els?” Grayson demanded. “Are you dating him?”
“What?” I squeaked.
“That’s what everyone’s saying,” Beckett actually sounded disappointed in me.Beckettwas disappointed inme!
“That I’m dating Fin?”
“Oh so youaredating him, huh?” Grayson sounded murderous.
“Stop it, both of you-“
“I will kill him, Ellie,” Beckett’s rage was escalating too. They were like rabid wild animals on the scent of a new and unaware prey. “If he’s laid a finger on you, just one, slimy, degenerate finger on you, I willkillhim.”
“Oh, my gosh.” This was getting out of hand.
“Has he forced you to do anything you’re not comfortable with? You can be honest. We won’t hurtyou.” Grayson’s voice dropped to that deadly octave that only dangerous males could make convincing. The one that created mental images of baseball bats and bloody knees.
“Stop it, seriously!” I hissed at them. Which in turn grabbed the attention of my parents and Lennox too, mid-punch line even. That was kind of an accomplishment. “I’mnotdating Fin.”
“Then what are you doing with him!” Beckett half-shouted, completely enraged at this point. Again.
“Nothing!” I shrieked in a pitch I was sure only dogs could hear. “I’m not doinganythingwith Fin. We are not together inanycapacity. Stop being jackasses. Both of you!”
“Geez, Els,” Grayson muttered, as if put out. “You don’t have to yell at us.”
I dropped my head into my hands. The food wasn’t even here yet.
Beckett had the same hurt tone to his voice, the same stiff back, likeIjust attackedthem. “Yeah, Ellie, we’re just worried. Hunter is an epic level douche, with which one does not convert or contain. I just don’t want to see you hurt again.”
“Or with another user,” Grayson put in and I started softening for them both.
Dang it. They always did this to me!
I took a big breath, exhaled slowly and then fought for patience. “I know. Thanks guys. I really do
appreciate it. But you have to trust me. Colton was a…. fluke. A bad judgment on my part. Going forward you have nothing to worry about!” I plastered on a fake smile that none of my family believed.
“Did you say Fin Hunter?” Lennox growled from across the table, clearly not only familiar with the name but the reputation too.
Oh boy.
“Forget it, Lennox,” I shot him the evil eye and hoped he would back off before this got any worse. “I don’t want to talk about it anymore. Just drop it.”
