“Yeah,” she said softly. “You’re in trouble.”
I didn’t respond because she was right.
That night, Isla was having a sleepover with Mila. Mila had been begging for it since camp ended, and Isla had shown up with a duffel bag and a stuffed turtle. Mom had a shift at the hospital, which left Dad in charge, and Jaden was sleeping over at a friend.
“You picked an action movie,” Mila said. My sister didn’t like action movies. She preferred movies like the Babysitters Club.
Dad stood in the kitchen, one eye on the girls and the other on the game playing silently on his phone. “No fighting. Isla is a guest.”
“She’s basically family,” Mila said.
My stomach dipped at that.
Isla grinned. “I accept.”
I sat at the island with a book open, my phone face down beside my elbow, burning a hole into the counter. Because Isla being here meant Hunter’s apartment was empty. I hated how aware I was of that.
Dad glanced over. “You okay, CC?”
“Yeah,” I said too fast. “Just tired.”
My father had Hunter’s daughter in our den, and I was thinking about how to sneak into Hunter’s apartment. The guilt pressed hard beneath my ribs, but wanting Hunter was stronger.
Me: Isla is having fun with Mila.
His response came almost immediately.
Hunter: I’m sure.
Me: You must be lonely.
Hunter: Catherine.
Me: What?
Hunter: I don’t know if tonight is a good idea.
My chest tightened.
Me: How are we supposed to be together if we’re never together?
Three dots appeared. Disappeared. Appeared again.
Hunter: Come over.
I stared at the words. Then I stood.
Dad looked up from the game. “Going somewhere?”
“Taylor’s.”
Dad nodded. “Have fun. I guess I’ll be entertaining Mila and Isla alone tonight.”
“Sorry,” I said.
“Nah, you’re young. You should be hanging out with friends. You’re always working so hard.”
Those words made guilt rise inside me. I was lying to my parents, and I loved them more than anything. I still walked out because my heart was in the driver’s seat tonight. I wanted to see Hunter. I wanted to be with him because I had never felt this way before, and if that meant risking everything, then so be it.