Page 29 of Romeo

“I enjoy reading,” I reply.“And certain board games.I got really good at them when—” I trail off becausewhen I was in rehabdoesn’t seem like great dinner conversation.“Whenever I was stuck inside for a long time.”

“Riles here has been a bookworm since he was five,” Tucker says, gripping his brother’s shoulder.

“I could tell when I saw his wall of books.”

Mrs.Hunt laughs.“I couldn’t keep a book out of his hand.The boy was reading by the time he was five.”

“That’s impressive,” I reply, eyeing the man beside me.

He shrugs and takes another bite.

“So reading and board games,” Kennedy says.“Maybe we need to have a game night?Just us girls,” she finishes.“The guys get too competitive.”

“We do not,” Tucker replies, feigning offense.

“The last time we played Catan, youliterallybuilt so many roads that no one could put houses anywhere,” Lani says.“And don’t even get me started on the Monopoly debacle.”

“Isn’t the point of playing games to win?”he asks.“Building roads is a strategy.”

“Sure.If you’re not purposely building them in the direction of Dylan just to see how mad you can make him.”

Tucker grins, and it lifts my mood just a bit.The easy banter is something I never had with Odie.Not once.Is this what it is like to grow up as siblings?From infancy to adulthood?“I still call it strategy.”

“Call it what you want, but you guys are not invited to girls’ game night,” Nova says.“What do you say, Jules?You interested?”

I really don’t want to.Not because I don’t think it would be fun but because the last thing I need is to get close to these women, only for them to find out something about me they don’t like and shut me out.However, since it would be rude, I nod and force a smile.“Sure, I think that would be fun.”

“Great.We’ll get something set up.Are you done, honey?”Kennedy asks, gesturing to Bradyn’s plate.

“I am.But I can get it.”

“Nope.Already up.”She sticks her tongue out at him then takes her plate and Bradyn’s.“How about you?”

“Not yet, thanks,” I lie because I don’t want her to take my plate.I can carry my own in, which I absolutely intend to do as soon as enough time has passed and it’s not obvious why I turned her offer down.

Elliot takes his and Nova’s plates while Tucker collects everyone’s but mine.Soon, it’s just me and Riley sitting at the table.

After a few silent minutes of me not touching my plate, Riley stands and takes it without asking.

“Hey!I wasn’t done.”

“Yes, you were.You were just too stubborn to let anyone take care of it for you.”

The fact that he reads me so easily really angers me.“You don’t know me that well.”

He rinses my plate then sticks it in the dishwasher before turning to face me.All of the Hunts—except for him—are in the living room.I can hear them laughing and enjoying each other’s company.“I know you well enough.For example, right now, you’re trying to figure out the best way to get me to go home so you don’t have to be here anymore.”

He’s right.

I’ve been trying to escape since we walked in.

“What I can’t figure out, though, is why.My family was nothing but inviting to you.So, are you worn out?Do you just not like people in general?Or are we just not high-class enough for you?”

I glare at him.“It’s all a façade anyway, so what does it matter?”

“Façade?”he questions.“What exactly do you mean by that?”

His tone is low, dangerous even.And I see the offense he took from my statement written all over his face.I should feel bad.After all, he’s right—they all welcomed me.But I know all too well how quickly an invitation can turn into a cold shoulder.