Hidden Play: The Return 《COMPLETE》

Chapter 16

Chapter 16

The two of us find our way into the very bedroom we stayed in the first night we met. It too has undergone a major makeover for tonight's festivities. Silver snowflakes shimmer across the border of the bedroom, and a white, fuzzy throw has been placed over the maroon-colored comforter. White and silver decorations hang suspended from the ceiling, and all I keep thinking is how much Mama T would gush over all this décor.

The thought of her pulls Bobby into my mind. I wonder what he'll make of all of this. As much as I've dreaded spending some of my winter break with my ex, maybe the outside perspective would do me some good.

Hunter pulls out the desk chair and takes a seat, nodding for me to do the same. The holiday martini sloshes in its glass as I plop down, mirroring the effect it's having on my insides. It tastes like a pine tree, if that's a thing. I pull it up to my nose and inhale deeply. The mint tingles my senses, and I take another sip.

Hunter smirks. "Those are pretty potent. They're Evan's famous 'Christmas martinis.' They're good and you barely taste the alcohol, but I tell you what. They go straight to your head."

He taps his temple and glances at the half-empty drink in my hand. If that's his way of telling me to slow down, he can piss off. I've been cooped up for far too long. I deserve a drink. Or five.

"You been doing alright?" he asks after a beat of silence.

I nod. "I guess. I've been pretty disconnected, but that's probably a good thing. At least now I have a month break from school before I have to face it all again."

"Are you thinking about going on that school ski trip next week?"

"I dunno," I answer. "Why?"

Hunter shrugs. "The guys were suspended for the week, but they're all still allowed to go on the ski trip. I figured the whole team had signed up. I did, too. I'm all for you going to show the rest of the school population that you're above all the pettiness, but I wanted to forewarn you that they'd be there. All of them."

The way he emphasizes the word implies that whoever defiled my locker will be there. With it comes a hidden warning - while the ski trip could be a great way to show face with my peers prior to school starting again after the new year, there's a chance there'll be more drama, too.

"Noted," I say. "So, what brings you to Evan's party?"

Hunter runs a hand through dark hair and leans back. The gesture feels familiar, something I've seen Zion do a million times. I hate to admit it, but it makes me ache. I haven't seen him, talked to him, hell – even touched him, in far too long. He feels like a dream at this point, one I'd gladly make a deal with the Sandman to revisit again and again. I'm not sure why he has this hold over me, but he does. I'm crazy about him, and I'm not ready to let him go.

"There's an easy and a complicated answer to that question," Hunter responds with a sigh. "Which would you prefer?"

Now that I think about it, I know very little about 'the new kid.' Yet, he seems to know far more about me than most. Truthfully, it makes me uneasy, knowing he has all the cards while I'm left sitting empty-handed.

"Complicated."

Hunter tips his chin. "I figured. I've got to level with you, Aiden, the 'complicated' answer is one I've wanted to share with you for quite some time. You just haven't been ready to hear it. Until now."

I frown and finish off the rest of my martini. The liquid form of warm pine tree swirls down my throat and explodes through my stomach with a punch of heat.