Page 78 of Because I Liked A Boy
Hunter’s grin split wide. “People with taste.”
“People with horses,” I muttered, earning myself a bark of laughter.
He leaned closer, voice dipping low. “Careful, princess. Mock my playlist again, and I’ll pull over just to show you another way to keep your mouthbusy.”
My cheeks burned so fast I turned toward the window, pretending the wind whipping my hair was suddenly fascinating.
He laughed, squeezing my thigh. “And you’re smiling.”
And God, he sang. Loud. Off-key. Drumming the wheel like he didn’t care who saw. At first I just watched, caught up in the way he threw himself into it. Free. Alive. Then laughter bubbled up and I joined him, shouting lyrics into the wind, my hair whipping wild.
It felt reckless. Wild. Like living for the first time in years.
Hunter shot me a glance, grin splitting wider like I’d just passed some unspoken test.
About an hour in, Hunter swung the truck into a gas station, killing the engine.
“Coffee,” he announced, already out of the cab. “And snacks. Road trip rules.”
“Road trip rules?” I echoed, trailing after him.
“Yeah. Driver picks the music. Shotgun supplies the snacks.” He yanked open the cooler. “So, princess, what’s it gonna be?”
I grabbed water and M&M’s, tossing them onto the counter. Hunter returned with two coffees and a bag of gummy bears the size of my head.
“You’re insane,” I muttered.
“Insanely fun,” he corrected, tearing open the bag and holding one up to my lips. “Fuel for screaming on roller coasters all day.”
Against my better judgment, I laughed—and let him feed me the stupid gummy bear.
By the time the skyline shifted and the giant Six Flags sign rose into view, my stomach had already flipped three times and not from the rides.
Hunter thumped the wheel, grinning like a kid on Christmas. “There it is, princess. The happiest place on earth for adrenaline junkies.”
I swallowed, nerves sparking under the excitement. “Do I get a say in which rides we start with?”
“Absolutely not.” His grin widened, feral. “Biggest one first. Just to hear you scream.”
I rolled my eyes, but my pulse hammered anyway. Whatever the day brought, I knew one thing Hunter would make sure I didn’t forget it.
The coasters twisted against the sky, screams echoing faintly as the truck rolled closer. Hunter’s hand rested easy on my thigh, thumb brushing circles that made it impossible to think straight.
“Big day ahead, princess,” he said, that grin tugging at his mouth. “You ready?”
I tried to sound casual, but the butterflies betrayed me. “For roller coasters or for surviving a full day with you?”
“Both,” he said instantly, kissing my temple before turning back to the road. “But don’t worry. I’ve got you.”
And God help me I wanted to believe him.
The coasters towered above us, steel beasts twisting against the sky, screams echoing like a warning. My stomach flipped, but Hunter looked like he’d just walked into paradise.
His hand tightened on mine as he pulled me through the gates, flashing the attendant a wink like he owned the place.
“Still time to turn back,” I muttered, though I clung to him like he was my lifeline.
Hunter leaned close, his breath hot against my ear. “Princess, you’re about to get the ride of your life. And not just from the roller coasters.”
