Page 93 of Facing the Line

Jonas rushes to stand in front of me. Not necessary but appreciated since I’m naked under this towel. I hold it tight around me and swallow.

“I’m not sure that’s true.” I peer around Jonas, making my tone as frosty as possible. He’s my brother, not the dating police. “But I’ll be happy to visit once I’m presentable. If you had told us you were coming, this wouldn’t have happened.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Hunter shoots back, sounding defensive and pissed off. Which is a little bit warranted. It’s not his fault I’ve been sneaking around with one of his friends all summer. An unplanned visit is sweet, but his timing is terrible.

I sigh. “Nothing, I’m sorry. It was nice of you to surprise me. But give me a second, okay?”

He nods, a tight jerk of his head, and I flee to my room.

Much as I want to avoid this confrontation, I’m not trying to leave Jonas alone to deal with it. That would be pretty crappy. But I’m literally wearing a towel. So I hustle, throwing on leggings and a t-shirt, twisting my hair into a bun on top of my head. My normal skincare routine can wait.

After maybe two minutes, tops, I sprint back out to the living room. No one has moved. Hunter and Jonas stand, one on each side of the space, awkwardly not looking at each other. Natalie hovers between the two. I hate seeing the most important men in my life act like this, especially because they’ve gotten close. It was so fun last year when we’d all hang out here together—I don’t want to lose that.

But we don’t have to. Determination boils over inside my chest, and I pop my hands on my hips.

“Look.” I glare at my brother. “I’m seeing Jonas. And while I love you, I’m not sure it’s any of your business who I sleep with.”

“What the hell?” Hunter’s brow furrows and he takes a step closer. “Jonas, that’s my sister.”

Natalie puts a restraining hand on his arm, but Jonas squares his shoulders and faces Hunter. “I know. But she’s great and I really lo—like her.”

Hunter blinks, like that wasn’t what he was expecting, and Natalie nudges him. “Haven’t you always said Jonas is the best guy? Didn’t you trust him to take care of Hadley this summer?”

“Yeah, but?—”

“Can you think of anyone better for her?”

“Well, no, but?—”

“Then why does this have to be a big deal?”

“Whose side are you on, anyway?”

Natalie laughs at his grumpy scowl. “Theirs.”

“What?” Jonas asks, and I move closer to him. “Really?”

“Of course.” Natalie beams. “Anyone with eyes could see you are halfway in love with each other. And it’s great.”

In love with each other?

I sputter. “I don’t know about that. It’s just a summer fling. Not worth mentioning to you, which is why I didn’t. Also because I don’t have to run my boyfriends by my brother.”

Natalie raises a brow at the summer fling part, but nods. “She’s right, you know. The protective thing is sweet but misguided.”

Hunter’s mouth gapes open at her. “Seriously?”

“Yes. She’s a sophomore in college. Let her grow up. If you truly think she’s making a poor choice—about a guy or any other aspect of her life—you can respectfully tell her. You can love her enough to call her on her shit, like I’m doing for you right now.”

Have I mentioned how much I love Natalie? Affection swells in my chest, and I hope Hunter puts a ring on that and we keep her forever. Maybe that’s sexist of me, but I’ve always wanted a sister. She continues, “But you can’t make blanket statements, like she’s not allowed to date someone without some very solid reasons. And do you have any real objections to Jonas?”

I close the gap between me and Jonas, linking our fingers together, and he squeezes my hand. I don’t need my brother’s approval, it won’t change anything for me, but Jonas might. Hunter is his friend, after all, and while I don’t personally get it, I understand the teammate bond is strong.

Hunter glances between us. “I mean, I just… it’s a little weird, that’s all.”

“Only weird if you make it that way, man,” Jonas says, his tone philosophical.

“I guess.” Hunter’s expression is doubtful. “But it’s my sister.”

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