Page 9
Chapter 9
Romance Book Material
H ome. I never thought I’d be back. I never thought I’d see my friend again, but Grams and Kris said hiding in plain sight for a few days would give us time to reach out to Nigel.
I’d called Kate right away, pretending I was back to visit Grams because she finally accepted my relationship with Phillip. I’d worked hard not to cry, worried the visit would put a target on my sweet friend’s back, but Kris promised they’d make sure to watch her. If Kate were ever in danger, we’d know it.
I was grateful for the chance to wrap my arms around my friend after I never thought I’d see her again. It was something I didn’t realize I needed, and her happy welcome made me feel whole again.
Kate stared at Phillip, who sat right next to me like he hadn’t a damn care in the world with his thickly corded arm laid out over the back of the couch. One of his silver-buckle boots was propped up on his knee, and the other Hunter looked right at home and not at all like a teacher visiting his previous student after running off with another student just the year before. The ex-teacher’s dark hair was brushed back away from his eyes, exposing every piercing Phillip rarely wore in class.
The dude looked like a grade-A asshole and nothing like our previous Biology teacher. He hadn’t even bothered to act sorry about being found out by the town. If anything, the smug look on his face spoke predominantly of pride instead of shame.
I swear, this jerk did it on purpose. Knowing him like I did, I counted on it. He was probably drinking it up like his own personal alcohol of choice. I wasn’t even sure if he knew what shame truly felt like because god knows he never acted like it around me. Not really. The only time was when we…
Broke up? Decided I should date Sloan, too? How do I even classify the thing happening right now?
The gorgeous nuisance insisted on coming to “make it more realistic for the story.” Based on the sparkle in my friend’s eyes, it was clear Kate bought everything he was selling.
Fucking fantastic.
Kate’s eyes shot from Phillip to me, then back again. Her bubbling excitement was so close to making me laugh, but I kept it together. I’d missed her enthusiasm for the world. Well, I guess more of an enthusiasm for hot guys who looked like they committed crimes for a living.
She was the exact way I remembered—spirited, full of life, and quick to make the most out of whatever came her way. Kate didn’t blame me for disappearing on her. She didn’t blame me for never returning her texts. She didn’t chastise or ridicule me for anything, just offered her unwavering support. I didn’t deserve her. I silently vowed I’d make it up to her someday, somehow, even if I had to sell my body to Phillip in order to make it happen.
In her usual shorts and fishnets with a messy bun of faded pink hair sitting atop her head, Kate crossed her legs on the chair she’d dragged over from the kitchen.
It wasn’t a very big house because Kate didn’t have siblings, but it fit her personality. It was cozy but full of life. Nothing matched. Every piece was thrifted or sniped from a garage sale. Even the cups she brought over to us had different vibes—heat-resistant plastic, porcelain, and a weird cat lady mug despite them having no cats. Her parents were just as eccentric as she was, and their chaotic decorations proved it.
Thankfully, they were out today, so it was just the three of us. “They’ll say something stupid, fo-sho,” she’d told me earlier on the phone, grumbling. So, the devious chick was clever enough to plan for it when I, complaining, mentioned Phillip might come with me. Her squeal of delight had nearly taken out my eardrum, but I was glad one of us was excited about him imposing on our reunion .
Bouncing on her seat, Kate’s sparkly eyes settled on Phillip, who’d only worn a tank top today so he could show off a full body of tattoos. His sly grin made the chick beam an impressive shade of red, but I couldn’t really blame her. I was just as taken with those smiles at first. And if I were honest, I still was.
“So, are you guys like, getting married or something?”
Phillip opened his mouth, sure to say nothing but terrible shit I’d have to walk back the entire time we were here, so I cut in quickly, “We’re taking it very slow. I still have to figure out my classes for college and working…and you know, everything else,” I lied flawlessly. I’d learned from the best.
Kate bobbed her cute head, the messy pink bun on top doing a sort of all-Kate flop. “That makes perfect sense. I can’t believe he followed you to college! You got a job at a nearby high school, right? That’s fucking dreamy. I wished I could find me a man who was willing to be my personal purse to carry around.” She slammed a hand over her mouth. “Not that you are, of course, Mr. Smith! I just mean—”
The saucy older Hunter waved her off, grinning in that sexy way of his. “Don’t worry, Ms. Huntington. It’s the truth. I’d follow V anywhere.”
Now it was my turn to blush. The suave bastard did it on purpose.
With a shameless grin, Phillip’s hand dropped onto my thigh and squeezed right in view of my friend. My body reacted just as shamelessly. I had to work quickly to smother the urge to respond because the power he put into the squeeze went right between my legs. It was the same squeeze he’d give when I climbed on top and rode him all night long, and he fucking knew it. I smacked the offending hand away with a spiteful glare, and his blue eyes glittered with mischief.
This smarmy bastard was living in his momentary glory, and I’d punish him later by hanging all over Sloan. Or maybe I’d switch places with Cash when Phillip was being cheeky and touching me. That’d wipe the self-satisfied grin off his gorgeous face. Just thinking about the joint horror of Cash and Phillip in each other’s arms without consent— they both fucking deserved it —was enough to put a smile on my face.
My devilish smirk was in full force, and Phillip had good reason to hesitate when he saw it. I’d done enough to him with my freezing power to put him on guard when I looked a little too happy with myself.
But Kate was already losing her damn mind, jaw dropped, eyes wide, her fantasies likely running away with her. The chick never changed. Phillip just gave her everything she needed to write her very own romance novel, and I could only hope she was smart enough not to use our real names because Cici and her pretty crew would probably find and destroy us with it. Not that anything they did could come close to what I’d already been through over the last year.
My friend’s lips were slanted, and with a shy look Phillip’s direction, the other girl resituated herself on her chair. “How long will you be in town?”
Thank whatever deity was watching that Kate knew how to read a room because I’d die if Phillip had another chance to make this entire visit awkward.
“Just a few days. I’m sorry it’s not longer, but I promise I’ll visit again.” I cut a look over to Phillip, and he nodded.
Relief washed over me.
I’d get to see her again. After losing the people I considered friends, having Kate made a difference. I might hate Phillip for being a shameless asshole, but he knew how much she meant to me. Unfortunately, if I let the visit go on any longer, Kate was likely to get several books’ worth of material out of it, and I couldn’t risk Phillip ruining this special reunion for me.
“I’ll call you,” I said, getting up with a suffering sigh. “I’m really glad I could see you even just for a moment. This last year has been… rough. ”
Kate shot to her feet and threw her arms around my shoulders, hugging the very life out of me. You know, if I hadn’t already been a genetically altered monster. “I’m so happy for you, V. I was really worried you’d never find love or happiness. You’re sort of a doom and gloom kind of chick.”
Her stare was full of impish chiding and I laughed, not arguing. I nearly told her that it’d only gotten worse, but I kept that little crazy nugget to myself. I wouldn’t know how to explain if she probed me for more.
Kate pulled me over to the kitchen, voice dropping to a whisper, still ignorant to the fact that Phillip had beast ears and would hear every word. Oh, he’d play his part well, which was why the arrogant asshole stayed on the couch without complaint, but I’d hear all about it when we got back to the house.
I’m going to have to brainstorm pranks with both Jo and Kris to get him back for everything he’s about to say and do.
Kate went on, none the wiser, “When that bad boy fantasy came walking into class, I really didn’t expect I’d one day tell Cici and her bitch crew that my best friend landed the hottest guy to roll through town since…well, ever. It was the highlight of our senior year!”
Oh, how fabulous. I’m the highlight of the Class of 2022.
I didn’t need to look over to know Phillip was eating it all up, unlike me who was probably still viral on social media and TikTok for running off with a teacher. My face was a meme sensation somewhere, no doubt.
Fuck my life.
I was suddenly very glad I didn’t have social media or a digital presence at all. The closest I got was texting and scrolling Google for shit Phillip said I didn’t understand. It’d kill me to see gross comments from my classmates about how I was getting regular D from a teacher. It was the first time I was grateful I hadn’t been a normal teenager.
Kate’s eyebrows waggled. “I didn’t know you had it in you.”
“Wow, don’t hold back on my account,” I sassed, glaring at Phillip when he snickered to himself, my vampire ears picking up on the sound when Kate’s hadn’t. “But you, too. I want you to find someone who makes you happy.”
She made a pfft sound with her lips, then stole a glance at the asshole on the couch. “You got friends, Mr. Smith?”
“Well, I have this mate, Sl—”
I cut in sharply. “Well, love you. Gotta go.”
I hugged Kate with as much strength as it’d take to express my gratitude but not crush her very fragile human body, then I hauled the asshole from the room. I ignored the amused laughter that followed me all the way to the car, determined to bask in the happiness of seeing Kate again when I never thought I would.