The Boy on the Bridge

“Mm-hmm,” he murmurs, ignoring me as he starts to nibble on my ear.

Shit.

A shiver passes over my whole body and my eyes drift closed.

I jump as someone suddenly enters the limousine. On instinct, I start to pull away guiltily, but while Hunter stops trying to melt me with his kisses, he keeps his hand on my thigh and gives it a reassuring squeeze to calm me down.

“I don’t know about you guys, but I am ready to get my drink on,” Melina Eggers says as she drops onto the seat a few empty spaces from Hunter.

“You and me both,” says Angelina Adkins as she piles in after her.

“Well, you are heading to the right place then,” Hunter says with an easy smile, welcoming them to the fold.

“Did it hurt when you fell from heaven, Hunter Maxwell? Because you are clearly an angel.”

I glance over at Hunter, somehow surprised by Melina’s exuberance to prove just how Team Hunter she is. Considering she was basically Valerie’s best friend, I expected a little resistance, but I don’t really know why.

I knew that’s what these people were like. I even told Hunter that. If he lost all his money and status and somehow fell from grace, they would step over his bones just as quickly to ingratiate themselves with their new king or queen.

“Oh my God, Riley, I forgot to tell you earlier, but the way that dress sparkled on stage when you were being crowned princess?” Angelina Adkins shoots me a look, like we’ve been friends since kindergarten and we’re always celebrating each other’s successes. “Yes, girl! You looked killer.”

What?

Hunter pats my thigh subtly, telling me without words to just go with it.

“Thanks,” I say a little uneasily. This faux-friendliness doesn’t come as easily to me. “Honestly, I was shocked to get a crown at all.”

“You should’ve got the big one,” Hunter says, leaning in and softly kissing my neck, right here in front of everybody. “Anyone who thinks she’s a queen and you’re a princess clearly shouldn’t have voting privileges.”

Melina jumps in eagerly. “Valerie had that whole thing rigged, anyway. You should have totally won, Riley.”

I am deeply uncomfortable by this sudden sycophantic behavior. “Oh. No, I…”

“You should come shopping with us tomorrow,” Angelina says, nudging Melina.

“Yeah, totally,” Melina says, flashing me an excited smile.

“I can’t, sorry. I have to work. But thank you for inviting me,” I say, flashing a small, apologetic smile of my own.

“Aw, bummer. Next time,” Angelina says with an encouraging nod.

The rest of Hunter’s friends make their way to the limo, but I notice they all leave the spot next to Hunter open. Sara and Wally climb in last and fill those spots.

Sara is beaming as Wally settles his arm around her shoulders. She leans into him and sighs, looking like she’s died and gone to heaven.

I want to be happy for her, and I am, but a little voice in the back of my head is still concerned. Maybe I shouldn’t be. Wally is Hunter’s friend before he’s Valerie’s. Valerie wouldn’t have thought twice about hurting Sara to get at me, but Hunter wouldn’t condone that. If Wally was only entertaining Sara at Valerie’s command… he wouldn’t be sitting there with his arm around Sara now. Right?

Hunter leans forward and grabs a couple glasses. I didn’t realize he had popped a bottle of champagne, but he fills two now and hands them to Wally and Sara. “Pass ’em down.”

That continues until everyone else has champagne, then Hunter grabs two more glasses.

“Oh, none for me,” I say quickly, before he can pour it.

“Come on, Catnip, we’re celebrating,” Hunter says.

“No, I… I can’t.”

“Why not?” Wally asks. “You prego or something, Bishop?”

My stomach drops.

Sara’s eyes widen and lock with mine.

Hunter’s smile wanes. He glances to Sara, then back to me. “Am I missing something?”

“No,” I say quickly, shaking my head, but I’m sure my nerves aren’t well-hidden. “No, it’s—I’m just not thirsty.”

Hunter scowls at me, unconvinced.

To be fair, I’m not very convincing.

Since we’re in a car full of opportunistic vipers, he doesn’t press the issue right now, but it’s obviously still on his mind. An accomplished popular kid, though, he has no trouble acting like it’s not and upholding the expectations of his role.

When we pull up in front of his house, the limo driver opens the door and people start piling out. Hunter places a firm hand on my thigh to keep me from joining them.

“You coming?” Wally asks, looking back at Hunter as he prepares to exit the car.

Hunter nods. “We’ll catch up. You go ahead.”

Wally nods and climbs out, then the limo driver pops his head in. “Onto the final destination, sir?”

I frown, looking over at Hunter, but he simply addresses the driver. “Not until I’m out. Give us a couple minutes.”

The driver nods and backs up, then he closes the door to give us privacy.