Chicks, Man

He is my boyfriend. Secret boyfriend, but still. I panicked earlier, afraid he was done with…whatever we were. He shocked me saying he wanted to fill the boyfriend role. I wanted to tell him he had been my boyfriend since I was seven, about all my notepads with Hannah Dent written all over them a million times, the love letters I pretended he wrote me… Boy, he would probably drop me off at the looney bin if he knew how deeply in love I’ve always been with him.

Which is strange to say now.

And a bit creepy.

Maybe for a good laugh, I’ll show him his hoodie I still have from the summer he stayed with us. I’d stolen it from the laundry room, unwashed, and slept with it the entire next year.

“What’s got that quirky smile on your face?”

“Oh, I was just remembering when we were kids. The summer you stayed with us. Remember your football hoodie you lost?”

“Yeah, the one I swear Kip’s girlfriend at the time stole because she secretly had a crush on me.”

I laugh. “It was me.”

He cocks his head, eyeing me. “No.”

“Guilty.” I laugh. “Right under all your noses. No one suspected sweet little Hannah, but I took it. Still have it too. Maybe if you’re nice, I’ll give it back. It’s a little worn, though.”

His laughter seeps through me and tickles my soul. The sound of him happy, relaxed…it’s like heaven. Lately, he’s been so stressed with this case, and I hate that I haven’t been able to do anything about it. I’ve thought about going to Dad and asking him to lay off, but that would cause more issues.

“Wow. Never knew little Hannah Matthews was a hoodie thief.”

I shrug, playing it cool. “If we’re being honest, I snagged a few other things from you over the years.”

“You didn’t. Spill. Now.”

I refuse to confess all the things. His toothbrush, a pair of boxers, a letter Lindy Robertson wrote him his freshman year—which I stabbed a hundred times and buried in our backyard. “I went through your phone once.”

He throws his head back, and a laugh bellows out. “Why?”

“I wanted to see all the photos you had, hoping for some naked selfies or something I guess.” I hadn’t found any. Guess he hadn’t been into taking dick pics and sending them to girls.

“Sorry, you were probably disappointed. I guess it’s a good thing I fixed that by giving you the real thing.” My cheeks flare. Shoot. I should have never brought it up. “Hey, I’m kidding. No need to get all shy on me now.” He squeezes my hand, his smirk giving me those constant butterflies.

We pull up to the restaurant, and sadly, he releases my hand. “Don’t worry. In and out. We get our dessert to go, and I’ll eat it off you tonight, deal?” Okay, he’s making up for the loss of hand holding.

“Deal.”

We walk close, our bodies brushing up against one another as we make our way inside. Like a gentleman, he holds the door open for me. I can’t help but brush my hand along the side of his hip as I step inside.

“Watch it, or we’re not making it through appetizers.” I don’t look back. We won’t be making it to the table if I catch that predator gaze in his eyes. We’re greeted by the hostess, and Levi informs her we’re with the Matthews’ party. She guides us to the table where I spot Kip and Stacey.

“You have to be shittin’ me,” Levi hisses, and I slam into him when he stops suddenly.

“What?” I ask, peeking around him to see for myself. Braydon.

“I thought we agreed. What the fuck is he doing here?”

“We did. I have no idea. I avoided him all day.”

We stand there staring at the scene going down, my mom and dad flaunting over whatever story Braydon is telling. “Fuck this, we’re leaving—”

“About time, you two! We’ve already ordered drinks. Sit, sit.” My dad waves us over as Mom gets up to greet us. Neither of us move.

“We have to,” I tell him, realizing we’re stuck.

“I’m gonna pummel that shithead,” he growls as Mom makes it to us.

“What’s got you two looking so sour?” She leans in and gives me a hug, then goes for Levi. His mask quickly in place, his demeanor changes, his carefree smile on point.

“Oh, nothing. Traffic. We’re glad to be here in good company. Always lovely to see you, Cheryl.”

“Yes! Come, sit down. Hannah, your boyfriend was just telling us about all the cases he’s been prepping you on.” Oh, crap. Did anyone else feel the shift in the air? The ground rattling? Possibly a low octave growl coming from Levi? I decide not to comment or make eye contact with Levi. There’s nothing we can do about it now. Following them to the table, we stop in search of seats. Great, one open seat next to Braydon, and one next to…Rebecca? Why is she always at family events? Because neither of us make a move, Braydon stands, signaling for the open chair by him, right as Rebecca pops up.