“What do you mean?”
“Well… we got outed today. Now everyone knows she was your fake girlfriend. Just wondering how she’s handling everything.”
He stills, burger halfway to his mouth. “Shit. I didn’t even think about Ella. I’m such an asshole.”
“You’re not. A lot happened today.”
“Damn. I was supposed to help her study for her calc exam tonight, too.” He’s already grabbing his phone, dialing fast. It rings once before she picks up.
“Ella, I’m so sor—” Hud winces at her shrill voice shouting back. “I’m on a date with Cullen, but I can be there in forty-five minutes.”
He yanks the phone away as her yelling cuts through the speaker. “So you’re just going to forget I exist? AftereverythingI’ve done for you? Do you have any idea how humiliated I was today?”
“I’m sorry. So much happened and—”
“Save it.”
He stares at his phone. “She hung up. Great. Now she’s pissed at me, too.”
“She’s hurt. Talk to her tomorrow. She just needs to cool off.”
“You’re right.” He balls up his napkin and drops it on his tray. “I think I’m done. You?”
“Yeah. Let’s go.” I grab the bill, pay, then lead him out.
I open the passenger door for him, and he smirks. “I’m getting the princess treatment, huh?”
I kiss him softly. “No, baby. You’re a king.”
He shakes his head, but he smiles as he climbs in.
Things are tough right now, but tonight gives me hope that our future is going to be bright.
***
I walk in the front door, still floating from my first public date with Hud. It felt so freeing not keeping this a secret anymore. Hopefully, us being out in the open now will put to rest some of the threats coming from Hud’s unknown stalker.
One can only hope.
I’m passing by Dad’s office when he calls me inside. “Hey, Cull. Got a minute?”
“Yeah, what’s up?” I ask, pausing in the doorway.
“Nora called Mom and told us about what happened today. I just wanted to check in and see how you’re doing.”
I exhale hard, walk over to the sofa, and sink down. “Today was a mess. Somehow, someone got hold of a picture of Hud and me before prom and sent it to the entire senior class. The number was blocked, so no clue who did it.”
He comes and sits next to me on the couch. “But are you doing alright? I know you came to Mom and me pretty confident about your sexuality, but you were adamant you didn’t want anyone else to know. Now, everyone does.”
I get where he’s going. “I feel bad for Hadley. That’s not how we wanted her to find out. But on the other hand, I got to take Hud on a real date tonight, and it felt… incredible.”
He smiles. “I’m happy for you boys.”
“Thanks, Dad. He makes me happy.”
He lays a strong hand on my shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. “Alright, now something a little more serious.”
“More serious than someone outing my boyfriend and me at school?” I joke.
