Page 37 of Faking Ties

“And what do you want?”

“Something small. Just a few answers to some questions.”

“Only if I get that in return,” I say.

“Deal.”

I whip the door open and throw a pillow and a blanket at him before storming to the bathroom. His laughter chases me inside and I’m grinning like a fool while I wash off my makeup and get in my PJs. It’s the one thing I brought from home for the tour. My long,oversized shirt that’s worn and soft and falls to my knees.

“Sleep well,” I say as I pass him.

“You too, beautiful.”

I duck my head to hide my smile and shut myself into the bedroom again. My phone rings just as I get into the bed. Hunter.

“What’s up?” I ask. “The couch lumpy after all?”

“Not at all.”

“Then why are you calling me?”

“Because I thought you could tell me a bedtime story.”

“What kind of story?” I ask.

“One that tells me about your life.”

“Hard pass. How about you tell me yours instead?”

“Do I need to remind you that you agreed to answer some questions?”

“Ugh, fine,” I say. “What do you want to know?”

“Who’s your best friend?”

“Nina, a girl I grew up with, and…Aria Huntington.” It feels weird to say Aria’s name when I haven’t even met her. But she’s Stella’s best friend, so I have to include her. “What about you?”

“Easy, Quincy and Jake.”

“No one from your childhood?”

“Nope. I was a little shit who focused more on football than making friends.”

“It sounds like you didn’t grow up, then.”

“Hey now,” he says. “Those are fighting words.”

“Uh-huh.” I grin, even though he can’t see it. “What about your parents? Are you close to them?”

“I don’t talk with my mom much since the divorce, but my dad and I are pretty close.”

“I’m glad you at least have him.”

“Yeah,” he says. “My older brother wanted to live with her, and he’s Mr. Perfect in her eyes. I guess it worked out though, because Dad has always been supportive of me playing football.”

“Was your mom not supportive?”

“No, she never liked it. But I don’t know why, especially when my brother played baseball, and she was fine with that.”

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