“Uh-huh.” He doesn’t sound mad or judgmental, just amused. He gives my shoulder a firm squeeze. “Good for you, kid.”
He disappears through the doors, leaving me alone with the steam and dirty dishes. I slide my gloves back on and dunk my hands into the scalding water. Somehow, my chest feels even warmer.
***
Hunter and I sit shoulder to shoulder on the dunes, hot sand beneath our legs, lunch boxes spread out between us.
This—being out here in the open with him—feels a hell of a lot better than sneaking kisses in the maintenance shed. That place reeked of gasoline and mildew. Out here, a light breeze tugs at Hunter’s hair, carrying the scents of lake water and damp grass.
Hunter unwraps his tofurkey sandwich, dirt still caught under his nails from pulling invasive plants all morning. He’s halfway through a bite when his phone buzzes. He groans and rolls his eyes when he looks at the screen.
“Sorry. I should take this,” he mutters, wiping his fingers on a napkin before answering.
I try to focus on eating my ranch-flavored chips, but his voice sharpens in a way that makes it impossible to ignore.
“Hey, Mom.” A pause. “Yeah.”
The conversation stalls into a series of clipped, flat replies.
“I don’t know if I’m coming,” he says, dragging a hand through his hair. His shoulders hunch tight. “I’ll let you know tonight, okay? I’m in the middle of something right now.”
He hangs up quickly and bites into his sandwich, chewing hard.
I clear my throat. “So… what was that about?”
He exhales sharply through his nose. “My parents are throwing a birthday party for Landon and me next weekend. They keep asking if I’m coming home for it.”
I blink. “Wait—it’s your birthday soon?”
“Yeah. July thirteenth.”
I swat at his shoulder. “You’re such a dick! Why didn’t you tell me?”
He shrugs bashfully. “It’s not a big deal.”
“Of course it is. It’s yourbirthday.”
He avoids my eyes, fiddling with his beeswax sandwich wrap. He’d mentioned it once during a rant about reusable plastic alternatives—adorably passionate, hands flying—and the memory almost makes me smile now.
“My parents always threw these big birthday parties for Landon and me,” he says quietly. “It never stopped, even after we grew up. Guess it’s a twin thing.” He shrugs again, but the gesture looks heavier this time. “Honestly, I don’t even know why they care if I show up. Landon’s their golden boy. I think they just invite me out of obligation.”
Something tightens in my chest. I can picture it too clearly—Hunter sitting on the sidelines while everyone fawns over Landon. I may not know all the gritty details of their relationship, but I’ve learned enough to decide I don’t like him. Especially after learning that he’s still best friends with Hunter’s shitty ex-boyfriend.
I knock my knee against his. “I’ll come with you, if you want company.”
He hesitates. “What about Maddie?”
“She’ll be at a sleepover next weekend.”
Hunter finally looks at me, eyes wide. “You’d really do that? You’d come with me?”
“Yeah, sure,” I say, trying to sound casual about it. “I’ve never been to Detroit. You can show me your hometown.”
His smile breaks free then, shy but genuine. “Yeah, I’d really like that.”
I lean in and kiss him, soft and unhurried, his lips warm beneath mine. For once, there’s no rusty garden tools digging into my back, no hiding in shadowed corners, no fear of being caught. Just sunlight spilling over our skin and the faint scent of lake water drifting through the air. And in that moment, I know I’d choose this over hiding, every single time.
***
