She leans forward, stabbing me with her sharp little finger. “You need to fix this, Mason. Right now. I like Hunter a lot more than any of those girlfriends you dragged home in high school—”
“Hunter’s not my boyfriend,” I say firmly.
Maddie rolls her eyes. “Whatever. He cares about you. And you’re an idiot if you ruin this thing with him just because you can’t handle a couple people staring.”
I stare at her, floored. My little sister, bossing me around in front of Mom.
Mom only smiles faintly, tired but approving. “She’s not wrong.”
Maddie flicks her hand toward the street, as if shooing me. “Go find him. Apologize and make it right.”
I nod, my throat tight, and turn down the road he would’ve taken home. The sun is harsh, the crowd still buzzing with chatter, but all of it feels distant now. All that matters is Hunter—Hunter, who thought I didn’t want him.
The pulse in my neck pounds with each step as I race down the sidewalk, hoping it’s not already too late to show him how I feel. When I finally see the back of his shirt, my heart skitters.
“Hunter, wait!”
I watch in agony as he walks away from me, earbuds in, tote bag bouncing on his shoulder with each step. Through the crowd of people, all I can see is him. Nobody else matters.
I jog forward, weaving through bodies. When I finally catch up, I pluck a bud from his ear. He spins around, mouth parted in shock.
“Jesus,” he exhales, pressing a hand over his chest. “You scared me, Mason.”
I bend over, hands braced on my knees, lungs burning. Jesus. My cardio health isn’t what it used to be. I really need to start swimming on a regular basis again.
“Why the fuck did you leave?” I rasp out.
He arches a brow. “You clearly don’t want me here.”
“Of course I do!”
He scoffs, snatching the earbud from my hand. “Well, you’ve got a funny way of showing it.” He turns, starting to walk off again.
I lunge in front of him, planting myself on the sidewalk like a barricade. He stops short, nose scrunched in annoyance. It’s probably supposed to look intimidating, but all I can think is—God, he’s cute.
“Get out of my way, Mase. I don’t want to be somewhere I’m not wanted.”
“I want you, Hunter.”
His eyes flash with anger. I’ve never seen him this mad before—not even the night we met. Part of me is proud of him for having the confidence to stand up for himself, even if it’s against me.
“Then what the fuck was that back there?” he demands. “Dropping my hand like I was nothing? Storming off?”
I shake my head. “I’m sorry for leaving. I just needed a minute to calm down.”
“Why? What was bothering you? Are you ashamed to be seen with me?” he asks, arms crossed over his chest.
“No! But this is all new to me—the whole being out of the closet thing. I’m not used to all the… stares.”
He frowns. “Well, maybe you should’ve thought about that before you kissed me in public. I’m sorry it’s caused you so much trouble—”
“I don’t regret it,” I cut in quickly, my hands anchoring to his shoulders. “I swear.”
He still doesn’t look at me, his gaze fixed somewhere past my ear, distant and cold.
“You have to be patient with me, Hunter. Please.” My hand lifts, brushing along his cheek. “I’m figuring it out as I go. But I swear—I don’t want to push you away. Not you.”
Finally, his eyes meet mine, glistening. Something in my chest splinters at the sight.
