a long time.”
The sliding door zips open. “Break it up, you two!” Damian bellows.
I flip him off without looking back and he laughs. I peer over my shoulder. An ear-to-ear grin is plastered on Arissa’s face. “I take it your talk went well.”
“You could say that,” she says, blushing.
“Are you guys ready to go, then?”
“Sure thing,” Damian says, draping his arm over Arissa.
Two. Two happy couples.
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
We slap white cards on Hunter’s dining room table, laughing raucously at the Cards Against Humanity answers with Skillet playing in the background. It was the easiest game we could think of for five people because Hunter and I guessed correctly: no one else showed up.
Arissa and Damian took to Hunter quickly. No surprise, since he’s charming and they make friends with almost everyone they meet.
Someone pounds on the front door and Hunter leaves to get it.
“Where is he?” she yells.
Hunter keeps his voice low so we can’t hear his reply. We glance at each other, then leave our seats at the same time, poking our heads through the doorway.
“I know he’s here, asshole!” Nicole screams.
Jason joins Hunter at the door and I shake my head. Nothing ever goes well when Nicole or Becky is involved.
“What is your problem?” Jason asks.
“Your skank girlfriend,” she answers, glowering. “She did nothing but cause trouble for three months, Jason.”
“That’s a fucking lie and you know it,” Hunter says.
Arissa nudges me and gives me her what-gives look.
“Becky’s sister,” I whisper.
“Are you calling me a liar?” Nicole asks.
“Yes,” Hunter answers.
“I never-”
“Always.”
She glares at Hunter, then turns her attention back to Jason. “You owe Becky.”
“I owe her nothing,” Jason says. “It’s been a year and a half. Both of you need to get over it.”
“You left her for that smelly cunt!”
I grip the doorjamb harder. I’m back with the Jerichos and a specter of Foster Hell won’t leave me alone.
He steps closer to her. “Watch how you fucking talk about my girlfriend. I know what you did while she was at La Costa. You were the one causing trouble. Not her.”
Her face morphs into an ugly sneer. “Didn’t you hear? She’s not the little innocent princess you think she is, Jason.”
“I never thought she was. Unlike you and Becky who need constant attention because you’re both insecure, she’s strong and independent and doesn’t need to be doted upon.”
I’m strong because I learned how to stand up for myself, mostly through therapy. The rest I learned from watching Arissa be tough as nails. Friends can be good role models whether they know it or not.
“Jesus, Nic,” He continues. “You attacked her after meeting her. Who does that?”
“Because she stole you from Becky!”
“I’m not a belonging. I can’t be stolen. I broke up with Becky. I was the asshole who left her at the game. Got it?”
“You’re a fucking asshole!”
“Yeah, he just said that,” Hunter says.
She storms off in a huff.
“Sorry ‘bout that, guys,” Hunter says when they return. “Where were we?”
Jason slips his arms around me and draws me close, kissing my head.
“In the middle of an insane shit storm,” Arissa answers.
Hunter laughs. “You’re good people, Arissa.”
We play a few more rounds of Uno, then decide to watch a movie. Hunter and I pop popcorn while Jason, Damian, and Arissa choose the movie.
“Thanks for bringing them with you,” Hunter says.
“I know we would’ve had fun, just the two of us, but we did a lot of that the last few weeks. It feels more like a party now.” I grin.
He pulls me into a lingering hug, just like the many hugs he gave knowing I missed the affection I got from the Jerichos and Jason. He was my boon in the desert.
A throat clears and we break apart. Arissa’s scrutinizing gaze shifts between us. Hunter grabs the popcorn and heads to the living room.
“What are you doing?” she asks, hushed.
“What are you talking about?” I answer, keeping my voice low.
She tips her head towards the living room. “You and Hunter.”
“We’re friends, Riss.”
“Looks like more than that.” She stares at me, planting her hands on her hips.
I let out a deep sigh. “Do you know what it’s like to have no friends? None? No one to talk to at all?”
She casts her eyes down and her arms fall to her side. “No.”
“I had no friends at La Costa and Hunter lost all of his when he stood up for me, going against Nicole, after we just met. He sought me out later and befriended me when I needed someone.”
She throws her arms