Page 25 of Every Hidden Truth

I had a feeling that, by lunchtime, everyone would know.

Sure enough, eyes followed me the moment I entered the lunchroom, but I studiously held my head high as I joined Ben at the end of the lunch line. He smiled and tentatively twined our fingers, our hands hidden between our bodies as we shuffled along the queue like sheep.

We filled our trays with food as we made small talk, pointedly ignoring any stares. It didn’t matter what they thought or what they said. I wouldn’t let it matter.

As we crossed the lunchroom, hand-in-hand, a round of raucous catcalls brayed from a group of athletes. They whistled and jeered, and Ben’s steps faltered.

“Finally found yourself a boy toy, huh, Brigs?” Jake Thompson sneered as his friends laughed like idiots around him. Red splotched Ben’s cheeks and neck as his fingers tightened in mine. “Which one of you is gonna run for homecoming queen?”

“I’m sorry. Just ignore them,” I whispered as he glared over my shoulder.

And because the world was apparently against us, we spotted Alice charging our way. Ben’s annoyance morphed into horror.

“Oh, shit,” he squeaked, meeting my eyes in panic.

I snorted. “Pussy.”

Rubbernecking as if in search of an escape, he grunted in irritation before something naughty gleamed in his eyes.

He released my hand and pushed his tray into it. “Hold this.” I automatically obeyed to save both of our lunches from tumbling to the floor.

“Ben, what—” But I never finished.

With a chuckle, he framed my face with his hands and kissed me square on the mouth.

In the middle of the cafeteria.

In front of everyone.

If I hadn’t had trays full of nachos and french fries in my hands, I would have thrown myself into his arms. As it was, I could only stand and let him kiss me.

And kiss me, he did.

It wasn’t lewd, but it was claiming. He was making his statement, taking a stance. My stomach somersaulted as he slid our lips together. Spearmint exploded over my tongue as I teased the seam of his mouth, unable to stop the instinctual action.

Pulling away, he smiled widely, and his eyes crinkled at the edges. “Sorry. It was either this or I punched Thompson’s lights out.”

“Either is satisfactory,” I said, breathless. “Plus, now Alice will probably stop stalking you.”

As he took back his tray with a chortle, I chanced an investigatory glance around and grimaced. A lot of people gawked at us like rare animals in a zoo, and my skin itched. But if Ben was brave enough to do this, then I could be too.

So I squared my shoulders and said, “What? Never seen two guys kiss before? Jesus!”

Ben’s shoulders shook with silent laughter as he linked our hands. The weight of eyes following us was heavy on the back of my neck, but I refused to slump under it.

We passed Alice, and because I was a petty bitch, I sent her a triumphant smirk. She scowled.

“Stop looking so smug,” Ben chided, and I waggled my tongue at him.

When we finally made it to our table, the buzz of cafeteria conversation resumed, and I heaved a sigh of relief. Ben sat and I took the chair beside him. I peeked at Kim, and she was beaming at us.

Jordan held out an expectant hand to Harris. “Pay up.”

“Damn it,” Harris muttered and slapped a five dollar bill into his waiting palm.

Caroline squealed wordlessly.

“Okay, let’s not—” I started, but Kim interrupted.

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