Page 88 of Hacking His Code

“What do I do?”

“That’s up to you.”

“I mean, I know I’m going to keep it. But…everything else is a mystery.”

“Whatever you decide, Hunter is going to take good care of you, and Ernestine will take even better care of you. I swear she’s going to treat that baby like the second coming of Christ.”

“He’s going to hate me. He did so much for me, then I just…left. Without even a thank you.”

“That’s what people do when a relationship isn’t working for them. He knows that.”

“Yeah, but he trusted me,” I say, careful not to let the true nature of our relationship come to light. “Hunter and I both have good reasons to distrust people. I guess I showed him he’s right to be wary.”

Neon’s shoulders slump. “Oh, God…”

“What?”

She looks up at me with frantic eyes. “Please don’t be mad!”

My heart rate doubles, knowing that I’m not going to like what I’m about to hear. “What would I have to be mad about?”

“Hunter asked me to tell him how you’re doing.”

My brow draws inward. “Huh?”

“He was worried about you. He wanted to make sure you were okay.”

It takes me a full minute to understand what she’s said.

“For the first time in my life, I thought I had found a friend. Someone I could confide in.”

“You did!”

“I trusted you! I told you my secrets!”

“It was a mistake—I see that now, but at the time, I thought I was doing a good thing.”

“Everything is out of my control now—”

“That’s not true! I promise I won’t tell Hunter anything else.”

I snicker. “And I’m supposed to trust you?”

“I know what I did was wrong, but the reason I told you is because I want to be your friend. Your real friend. I’ll text Hunter right now, in front of you, and tell him I’m no longer giving him updates. You can tell him about the baby on your own terms.”

“How much have you told him?”

“Just little things, how you’re doing, that you like your job. You know, things.”

It feels like ice is coursing through my veins, and it takes every ounce of restraint that I have not to throw something at the rainbow traitor.

I point toward the door. “Get out!”

“Can we talk about this?” she pleads.

“Absolutely not! Go!”

Her face falls, and a gleam shines in her eye. My heart softens.