Billie’s eyebrows lifted. I froze.
“Don’t look at me like that.”
“I’m looking at you like your life got interesting.”
“My life is always too complicated.” I pushed a fry around my container. “Part of me wants to tell my parents so I can stop lying and stop feeling like every normal conversation with my dad is evidence against me.”
“And the other part?” she inquired.
“The other part is terrified I’ve disappointed them,” I confessed.
“Oh, honey,” she pouted with me.
“I don’t want them to think I threw my future into team gossip because I couldn’t keep my hands off a player.”
“Is that what you think you’re doing?” she asked. It was an honest question.
“Definitely not. You know me. I’m not the type to throw myself at someone. I need feelings and emotions. And I wanted Hunter for so long.”
“Then don’t let fear say it louder than the truth.”
I swallowed.
Billie reached across the table and squeezed my hand. “You’re allowed to want him.”
“I know.” My words were weak because I still wasn’t fully convinced. We had so much working against us.
My phone buzzed.
Hunter.
Hunter: How’s the hospital?
I stared at the screen for a second too long.
Billie sipped her coffee. “Speak of the tattooed devil?”
I ignored her.
Me: Fine. Billie is interrogating me.
Hunter: Should I be afraid?
Me: Yes.
Hunter: Tell her I said hi.
Billie leaned over the table. “Tell him I know everything and I’m watching him.”
I typed exactly that.
Hunter: That sounds fair.
Then another message came through.
Hunter: I miss you.
My chest squeezed. Billie’s expression changed as she read my face.