Page 142 of Love Me

“Grew a conscience, did you?”

“Grew horny?”

“Shut up.”

A few miles in, he’s the first to break the silence. “I always had my sister and my father, and then you came along and it felt complete. But now I have to make room for more people.”

“Oh, the horror.”

“Shut up.”

“You know there is nothing wrong with you.”

“Celine.”

“I know my name. Just saying. Eventually, you’ll have to entertain the idea of a relationship.”

“Chances are slim to none.”

Stubborn male. I won’t tell him he has no control over that.

“She deserves––”

“Stop sabotaging yourself. It’s not for you to say what she deserves. If she wants you and you want her, then there is no problem.”

“Who said I want her?”

“Whatever, just drive.”

“And by the way, I heard your moans. Bleh. I thought crows were being mutilated.”

“You really want me to punch you while you’re driving?”

“I want to bleach my brain to forget how you came with his name out of your mouth.”

When he imitates me in an obviously exaggerated tone, I punch him in the arm, and he winces.

“Ouch, I’m driving.”

“Do that instead of talking.”

“Abi is something else. The Barbie princess is lethal. But why is Bailey so damn soft? It gives you the urge to protect her or some shit.”

I barely suppress my amusement. Oh, when it hits him.

“What did Blake tell you?”

“He wants to talk.”

“Hmm.”

Yes, I feel the same. Maybe Blake trusts me enough and sees me as family.

When we reach the doctor’s office, my heart dips into my stomach. Hunter places his hands on my shoulders.

“I bet my life that day happened differently. You need to know, but whatever it was, you were a child. Even if you don’t want to believe me, my mom always used to tell me. ‘Parents don’t blame their kids.’”

“You never talk about her.”

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