Page 51 of Hunted by the Fallen
I shift my weight and stare at the ground. “It’s…complicated.”
Annie frowns. “Is this because I teased you about Adrian and Zeke? I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable. I was onlyjoking.”
I shake my head. “You didn’t do anything. This is all because ofme.”
“What’s because ofyou?”
I don’t know what to say. The guys already warned me against telling Annie the truth, but I really need my best friend right now. I’m feeling too many things. I want… no, Ineedheradvice.
“I have feelings for… someone else.” I thought about saying ‘them’. Annie would’ve figure out who I meant. But, at the last second, I realize I’m not ready to be that honest. Not yet, anyway. A day will come when I will tell Annie everything. Just notyet.
Annie gasps. “Really?” She leans closer and whispers, “Is it one of the hunks?” Her eyes dart from the left to right, opting not to use names in case someone islistening.
“Yes,” I answer. I know exactly who she means. Funny enough, it’s both of them. Well… actually… it’s all of them. I want tolaugh.
How has this become my life? I’d been afraid I was becoming a bloodthirsty monster, but since I’ve working with Lukas to help Fallen, that fear no longer haunts me. Now, I’m a hussy who has the hotts for not one set of brothers, but two. I’m not sure which isbetter.
She squeals, “I knew it! Whichone?”
I’m saved from needing to answer. “AnnetteLee?”
We look up and see Mrs. Hutchins, Freddy’s mom, standing in the doorway of a nearby room. Even at ten o’clock at night, she is stunning. Her blonde hair hands in ringlets down her back, and her yoga pants and t-shirt look like something a teenager would wear, not a forty-year-old housewife. Then again, Mrs. Hutchins has the complexion of a teenager. She really isgorgeous.
I’d assumed Freddy’s parents were out of town. I hadn’t expected they would be okay with him throwing a party, let alone one with alcohol. Mrs. Hutchins has a reputation of being a stickler for how she and her family are perceived. Serving alcohol to minors hardly seems like something which would earn her Mother of the Year. But what do Iknow?
“Hello, Mrs. Hutchins,” Annie turns on her charm. She’s good at schmoozing parents. “How areyou?”
“Just fine,” she replies with a kind smile. “Are you enjoying theparty?”
“Absolutely. Thank you so much for letting us all hang out here. Your home is beautiful.” I know Annie has met Mrs. Hutchins many times. Both she and Freddy were on the school’s tennis team. But I had no idea they were so friendly with oneanother.
“Of course, dear. You’re always welcome.” At last, Mrs. Hutchins eyes trail over to me. I move the cup behind myback.
Mrs. Hutchins’ smile falls. Shock fills her eyes as she meets my gaze. I’m thinking she is taken aback by my heterochromia. I try not to beoffended.
When she doesn’t speak, I say, “Hello, Mrs. Hutchins. I’mVeronica.”
For the longest second, she says nothing. Mrs. Hutchins continues to gape at me like I’m some sort of freak. I feel my cheeks burn withembarrassment.
Finally, she says, “Nice to meet you, Veronica. I hope you are enjoying theparty.”
“I am, thank you.” I look atAnnie.
Hearing my silent plea, my best friend reaches out and grabs my arm. Behind my back, I switch the cup to my other hand to avoid it spilling. “Veronica and I were just on our way to the bathroom. It was nice seeing you, Mrs.Hutchins.”
I look up. Freddy’s mom continues to watch me. I begin to doubt my unusual eyes are responsible for the prolonged attention. Mrs. Hutchins is known for her manners. She would have quickly schooled her expression if she’d been shocked by my heterochromia. She wouldn’t want to appear rude. Whatever the reason behind her strange stare, she is unable to concealit.
“Of course,” Mrs. Hutchins clears her throat, a careful mask finally falling into place. “Goodbye,dear.”
Without hesitating, Annie pulls me the other direction. I’m grateful. I’m not sure I would have been able to walk away without her help. It isn’t until we are in the bathroom with the door closed that I finally allow myself a breath. I’d felt Mrs. Hutchins attention on my back the entiretime.
“Woah,” Annie’s eyes are wide. “What was thatabout?”
“Honestly, I have no idea. It was reallyweird.”
“I’ll say. Mrs. H. looked like she’d seen a ghost. You two haven’t met before, right?” Annie turns and looks in the mirror. She tucks loose strands of hair behind herear.
“Nope.” I put my cup of punch on thecounter.
