9

HUNTER

Picking up the forms for basketball ends up not taking as long as I thought, since the coach ended up having to run home for something. He likes to chitchat a lot so, without his commentary as the team members are filling out forms, it goes by quicker. Like, a hell of a lot quicker.

In fact, if I hurry my ass up, I might be able to grab a bite to eat instead of going to the cafeteria like I’d plan. Of course, since I let Harlow borrow my car, I’ll have to walk to someplace close by.

Dammit, I really didn’t think this through very well.

Still, walking somewhere is better than eating cafeteria food, even if I have to do it alone since Zay and Jax got in-school suspension for getting caught ditching third period.

“Hunter!” someone shouts behind me as I head for the exit doors.

When I peer over my shoulder, I spot this girl, Katy, that I hooked up with at a party jogging after me down the hallway.

“Shit,” I mutter, quickening my pace. The last thing I need is to waste my lunchtime dealing with drama, something that always comes by talking to Katy.

I hate that I put myself in these situations, and sadly, I kind of have a habit of it. It’s why Jax was so harsh with me when he caught me wanting to talk to Ravenlee. I have a knack for hooking up then the girl getting pissed when I don’t want to be in a relationship. And I feel bad, but at the same time, I’m way too messed up to be able to be a decent boyfriend. Not to mention even the idea of getting close to anyone scares the hell out of me.

“Hunter!” she shouts again. “I need to talk to you!”

My phone buzzes from inside my pocket, but I ignore it as I burst out the door and quicken my pace to a jog, heading for the sidewalk that lines the front of the school. When I spot my car still parked in the parking lot, I veer right and rush over to it, wondering if Harlow changed her mind about leaving for lunch.

As I near it, though, I see Harlow standing by the trunk with her phone in her hand. And she’s not alone. A girl is standing beside her with her back turned toward me—a girl with hair like raven feathers and legs that go on for miles.

Raven.

I hesitate for a fleeting moment, remembering what happened between her and Zay this morning. Not that I blame Raven—Zay can be a dick sometimes—but I also know he’d get pissed at me if he knew I was hanging out with her.

“Hunter!” Katy yells from across the parking lot, causing everyone in the vicinity to look at me, including Harlow and Raven, who appear confused at first, but then Harlow’s gaze zeroes in on Katy running after me.