Page 31 of Because I Liked A Boy
“Put me on speaker. Now.”
I groan, hit the button.
“Hunter Hayes,” Ruby moans dramatically. “You’d better be making pancakes. Tell me you’re at least useful.”
“Toast and coffee,” Hunter says smugly. “Vanilla latte.”
Ruby shrieks. “Oh my god, I knew it.”
Heat climbs my neck. “Ruby, seriously—”
“Wait,” she cuts me off, suspicious. “You sound suspiciouslychipper for someone who drinks tequila like it’s water. Did something happen last night?”
I nearly choke on my toast. “No!” Too fast. Too defensive.
Hunter bites back a smirk, sipping his coffee slow like he knows damn well I’m lying.
“Both of you—listen up. You’re coming over. Painkillers, greasy food, explanations. No excuses. Flat 3B, 14 Willow Lane. Don’t be late.”
Ruby’s been dragging me into their orbit since I landed here. Theo with his cocky grin, Hunter with his impossible smirk. It was always surface-level—banter, teasing, the occasional lift when Ruby guilt-tripped them into it. Enough to feel familiar, but never enough for me to trust it. Not until last night.
The line goes dead.
“She’s insane,” I mutter.
Hunter grins. “Field trip.”
Twenty minutes later, we’re stepping into Ruby’s flat. She’s cocooned on the sofa in a hoodie, hair tangled, mascara smudged. But her glare is fire.
“Took you long enough,” she snaps, snatching the pills. Then she points at Hunter. “I want answers.”
“Answers to what?” he frowns.
“To your best friend ghosting me,” she fires back. “One night—fine. But Theo? He didn’t just sneak out. He vanished. No text, no note. Like I was some random hookup he’ll never look at again.” Her chest rises, sharp andunsteady. “Except I’m not some random, Hunter. And he knew that.”
Ruby’s voice cracks. She swipes furiously at her eyes, but it doesn’t hide the way her lip trembles. “He made it feel different. The way he kissed me. The way he…” She trails off, shaking her head. “God, I actually thought it meant something. And then I woke up to nothing. Not even a fucking text.”
Hunter looks like he’s been punched. His hand rakes through his hair, jaw tight. “Ruby, if you think I’m here defending him—you’re wrong. I just… I don’t know what to say. He’s my best friend, but he’s a god damn idiot.”
The silence hangs heavy. Hunter’s jaw flexes, eyes flicking away like he’s trying to find the right words. When he finally speaks, his voice is lower, rougher.
“Ruby… Theo doesn’t stay the night. With anyone.”
Her laugh is bitter. “Congrats. He kept the streak alive. Guess I should feel honoured.”
“That’s not what I meant.” He scrubs a hand down his face. “He’s been like that for years. But…” his voice softens, “I thought maybe with you it’d be different.”
Ruby swallows hard, straightens her spine. “Yeah, well. You thought wrong.”
Hunter shifts, torn. “Maybe I should give you two some space.”
Panic spikes. “No—stay.” It slips out too sharp. “I don’t… I don’t know what to do here. I don’t do friends.”
His eyes soften. For a second he looks like he’ll cave—then sighs. “I would.But I’ve got work. If I don’t go, I’ll catch shit.”
Ruby groans into her pillow. “Figures. Men always leave.”
Hunter winces. “Look—I can’t stay. But if you want answers, Theo’s at work. That’s where you’ll find him. I’ll drive you both.”
