Except, why do I get butterflies when I’m around him? They’re the same as when I’m with Hunter, Roman, and…Jace throws his hands up.
“I want what they have. You said I gave you butterflies. So, I’m holding out hope that you will want to act on that…soon.” He wiggles his brows at me playfully.
Ugh, I can’t deny that there are still some butterflies there, only most have their wings pulled off. There's a lot of healing that needs to happen first. I know he was hurting and lashing out, but it isn’t an excuse. It happened.
“Mila, you said I did,” Jace continues. “Hell, I knew I wanted to marry you when I was old enough to understand what that meant. I want what they have, even if I don’t get exactly how this works. I want a piece of your heart, and I promise to give you all of mine. Please, Mila. Tell me you feel the butterflies still.”
The room is silent. You could hear a pin drop with the level of quiet. No one says a thing; they’re all waiting on me. Jace wiggles his brows, and I narrow my eyes at him. Mr. Ego has returned.
“Asher gives me butterflies too,” I quip back, and what I just said aloud hits me too late. I tighten my lips, not wanting to say anything else.
Roman pulls me in closer to his chest, like he’s trying to keep me from Asher.
Jace flops back onto the sofa and looks at Hunter, who just stares at me, his expression falling slightly, and tears prick my eyes. I didn’t want to hurt Hunter. I don’t know why I said that. I wasn’t thinking. For a moment, I wanted to hurt Jace. I should have kept that to myself until I could tell Hunter in private. I’m now the asshole.
“Well…fuck,” Hunter mutters as he paces.
I’m a terrible girlfriend.
“Hunter,” I call to him, my voice cracking as my heart clenches in my chest. I stretch an arm out to him, and he smiles, coming to me and kissing me.
“Don’t cry, babe. It’s just…I guess I should have seen it coming. It makes sense. You’ve grown so close. He’s still a dick, though.”
I chuckle, and a tear rolls down my cheek. Hunter wipes it away just as Jace clears his throat.
“So, about me again.” We all turn to Jace, who has a stupid grin on his face. “What? I took my shot, and it went all sad and shit. Mila, I’m happy to wait as long as you need. Just know that, if you want to kiss me, I’m not stopping you. And I’m keeping you.Forever.”
I don’t see that happening anytime soon, since I’m not over the Britney thing yet. But… I smirk. “If I kiss you first, that's the deal. You can’t kiss me or try anything until I make the first move and Hunter and Roman both agree that you can be in this relationship.” Jace’s eyes light up and Hunter’s eyes widen.
Jace agrees to my terms.
I’m gonna torture Jace with this. It’ll be fun.
I wink to Hunter and give him asorrysmile again for not telling him about Asher and the fact that I have feelings for him too. Ugh, why is this such a mess?
Hunter nods. He’s going to want to talk about Asher later, and I don’t think I’m ready for that yet. I’ve just really admitted that to myself. I need time to process.
It’s so quiet, and I don’t like the tension in the room. The air feels thicker after admitting the Asher thing than it did during the whole Roman and his dad thing. Hunter gets back up and stands beside the coffee table. He looks so sexy in his plain black tee. It hugs all his ridges, and I lick my lips just thinking about what’s underneath it.
He looks to his feet and then back at us, his brows pinched together. “I’m leaving Ridgecrest.”
My mouth drops open.What?
Hunter’s joking… right? He gives a small shrug, and I can tell he’s serious. What does that mean? Why’s he leaving? Oh shit, I think I’m really going to cry now. I pry myself from Roman and go to Hunter, wrapping my arms around his waist.
“I won’t be a Rebel anymore. I’m gonna be a King.”
Pulling back to see Hunter’s face, I kiss him. I want him to know I love him. I just don’t understand why he’s leaving.
Jace stands up and yells, “What the fuck, man? What the hell is going on here? We were supposed to be Rebels until the end…” The way Jace trails off, it’s clear he’s really hurting.
I’m upset that Hunter didn’t tell me, but there must be a reason he’s been holding onto this secret. Like how I held onto my Asher one.
When did he decide to leave?
“I’m sorry. I tried everything. I did. But shit hit the fan with my dad, and, at the time, having Roman living with me was more important than being a Rebel. I was hoping Dad would change his mind, but he won't. He was letting me have until the end of the school year, but now he’s changed his mind.
“I’m transferring to Lakeview Prep after Thanksgiving. It’s already been arranged, and I just didn’t know how to tell you. It only just changed. I thought I had till the end of summer to convince him to let me stay at Ridgecrest for my senior year, but his plans changed.”
