Page 52 of Enemy Games

Ethan narrowed his eyes. “What's that supposed to mean, Chris?”

Chris? Yes, that was her name. Hopefully, I could remember that now.

Cameron put her hand on her hip. “Yeah, what was that about exactly?”

Presley tried to pull away from me, but I didn't let her. “It seems neither of us is particularly welcome here anymore. I think maybe we should go.”

“Worried about more pursuers?” she teased.

Ethan cocked a brow. I was going to have some explaining to do later. For now, I was enjoying the fact that for the first time, Presley wasn’t running from me.

Chapter 15

Presley

I didn’t care if Hunter left to hook up with some girl from high school. So why did I step in? He was free to do whatever, or whoever, he wanted. But he didn’t seem interested, and I didn’t like the way Sadie was looking at him.

It shouldn’t matter.

But it bothered me.

Having his arm around my waist and me holding onto him just as much? Yeah, that was weird. Totally out of my comfort zone. Wrong on so many levels.

So why did it feel so right? Like it was exactly where I belonged? Like I fit into him like we were made for each other? Why did he have to smell so dang good?

Hunter and me? That couldn’t—shouldn’t—happen.

There was too much history, especially here. Being back at home was worse than I thought. I could feel how unwelcome I was. Sure, Cameron and a few other people were still nice, but that didn’t make up for the glares and whispers.

So why was I still hanging onto him?

Because he knew. He understood. This was no longer where we belonged. It was our past. Our home and our people were at West Penn.

And he stood up for me. He could have been lying, but it didn’t seem like it. Did he really think I was beautiful? And talented?

I almost didn’t regret coming. Hunter suggested we should all go to this party, and no one argued. This didn’t turn out to be the night I expected. I wanted to see my parents and introduce Chris to my world, but it was falling apart. But everyone was excited to go to this party. Even Chris jumped at the opportunity, and I didn’t want to be a downer.

But I didn’t want to be here anymore.

We were trying to make our way to the front door, with Hunter’s hand resting on my lower back, when a shoulder slammed into me. I glanced up and frowned when I recognized TJ, my high school bully. It was surreal, holding on to the arm of the guy who teased me as a child, while facing the one that tormented me as a teenager.

“Hey there, Presley.” He glanced behind me then looked around like he was searching for something specific. “Where's your girlfriend?”

Hunter straightened next to me and glared at him. “What's your problem?”

TJ looked him over, sizing him up. “Nothing. Just checking up on my old friend, Pressy. Is that her?”

He nodded in the direction of Chris, and I was tempted to walk over and take her hand, but I didn't want to use her just to stick it to my bully.

“Let's just go.” I started to move, but TJ got in my way.

“Oh, have you switched sides?”

I rolled my eyes and tried to ignore him, but he stepped in front of me again.

Hunter released me and shoved him back. “Back off. Presley’s private life is none of your business”

TJ smirked. “I just thought you might want to know that your girl’s gay.”