The Boy on the Bridge

I completely forgot that I told him I liked Mark Poplowski. I was pretty sure we both knew I was lying, though, so I don’t know why Hunter thinks I’ll care that he’s here.

I glance at the table anyway and my face flushes as I notice they’re all watching us. Valerie doesn’t even bother to look away—or hide her confusion—when I catch her staring.

“What the fuck is this shit?” she asks her friends as we approach.

I’m still not used to the unabashed swearing—Sara and I just don’t do that—but I’m even more floored by it when I realize the brunette that had initially been turned away when I approached is turned around now and it’s Hunter’s mom.

Hunter’s mom is at the group hang? What?

If she’s fazed by Valerie’s mouth, she doesn’t show it. Her smile widens and she flashes me an excited smile like we’re best friends. “Hi, Riley! How are you doing, babe?”

It’s a stupid first thought to have, but I can’t help thinking that my mom would be so hurt if she knew I wouldn’t let her even walk me in, and apparently Hunter’s mom is shopping with us. I didn’t notice her when I first looked because they’re all sitting and she was turned away. Hunter’s mom is a thin woman and since she’s sitting down, she kinda blended in.

She’s also much more vibrant here today than the anxious mess I saw at their house trying to wrangle her abusive, dickbag husband.

The memory of what she allowed to happen to Hunter makes it a little harder to return her greeting with the same enthusiasm.

“I’m good, thanks. How are you?”

“Great,” she says, still brightly. “I love to shop, so this is right up my alley. Next time you’re over, I’ll show you my closet. I probably even have a few pieces I don’t wear anymore that you could have.”

That grabs Valerie’s attention. “She’s been to your house?”

Valerie’s sidekick pokes her blonde head forward. “If you’re giving away clothes, I volunteer as tribute.”

My ears perk up. “Hunger Games? I love that book.”

She looks at me like she didn’t expect me to speak to her. “Oh, no. I just saw the movie.”

“You should read the books, they’re so good,” I advise.

“It’s true, she has me reading the first one now,” Hunter states, lending his support to my suggestion. “It’s pretty good.”

Mark smirks at him. “She has you reading it, huh?”

Hunter slides him a dead-eyed look. “Don’t worry, Poplowski, we don’t expect you to join our book club; we all know you can’t read.”

Mark rolls his eyes and Valerie smirks over at him, then looks back at Hunter. Only when she does, my stomach sinks, because I recognize the way she looks at him. It’s the same way I look at him.

Aw, man. Valerie Johnson has a crush on Hunter, doesn’t she?

“I want to read it,” Valerie says. “Can I borrow your copy when you’re done, Hunter?”

“I’m actually reading Riley’s copy.”

Her smile doesn’t change, but something in her eyes does. It infuriates her that he borrowed my book. Shifting her crazy eyes to me, she says, “Can I borrow it after, Riles?”

Riles? Also, no. I want to say no. I don’t even like to loan out my books because I’m too afraid other people won’t take care of them. I made an exception for Hunter, but I definitely don’t want to loan it to her. I know beyond a doubt that if I do, I’ll never see it again. I doubt she’ll even read it, either.

I don’t feel comfortable just saying no, though, so I make up an excuse. “I actually promised it to someone else after Hunter. Sorry.”

“Oh, one of your other friends?” she asks innocently, cocking her head. “Who are your friends, actually? I literally forgot you go to our school. I must be such an idiot.”

Hunter’s mom stands, sliding her purse strap over her shoulder and flashing me a smile. “Why don’t we get going, babe? We have so much shopping to do. I’m gonna spoil you rotten.”

Hunter’s arm drops from my shoulder, and he turns toward Sara. She looks back at me with a flash of excitement before she follows him over to finally get an introduction to Wally. I watch as she beams at him excitedly, as she lights up even more when he nods in acknowledgment and offers back a “Hey.”

Hunter glances over his shoulder at me. He doesn’t say anything with words, just gives me a speaking look before taking off with his friends—and the only one I have.

I frown at Venus as she starts to walk, seemingly expecting me to follow. “Wait, they’re all going in the other direction.”

She glances at her son and his friends, then back at me. “Oh, yeah. Hunter wanted me to help you pick out some clothes first, then you can catch up to them and I’ll get lost for a little while. Sound good?”