Will tugged at the collar of his shirt, feeling hot. This was Hunter’s life, he thought. He’d known that, of course, but somehow he hadn’t really understood it until this moment. The Finch family’s biggest problem was whether to vacation in Greece or the Hamptons. Dom’s words looped through his head: “Think about the optics.” And that was the difference. It felt like the whole world was coming apart. Everyone he knew was looking at losing admissions or scholarships, or facing jail time. Will’s parents couldn’t even get a loan. They were making impossible choices between keeping the business going, paying a lawyer, or sending him to college. People’s real lives were on the line, but not here in the Finch house. Here, they only needed to think about how things looked, not how they were. Because for the Finches, everything would always be fine, no matter what. That’s what having money meant.

Lindsay and Dom were still talking, but Will didn’t hear them. Blood was thumping in his ears, and his face burned. He turned and walked back into the library. Without really thinking about what he was doing, he made straight for the bookshelf and pulled out the Hemingway he’d been paging through. He lifted his shirt and slid it under the band of his jeans, against his back.

The angry pounding in his head drowned out all other thoughts and feelings. He’d held it together for so long. He’d worked hard at school, on the track team, and at the farm. He’d been a good friend. He hadn’t envied Hunter’s life. And none of it had mattered. He was going to lose everything.

Without a second glance he went back into the hall and turned toward the front door. He heard Dom’s voice calling his name, but he didn’t care. He was so angry he could hardly see straight. He pulled open the door, stepped onto the terrace, and ran smack into Hunter. The impact caused the book to come loose and fall onto the stones.

“Will!” Hunter said, surprised. A smile was spreading across his face, but it hung there, half-formed, as he looked at his friend’s glaring eyes. “What’s up, man?” he asked. When Will didn’t answer, he tried again. “I’m glad you’re here. I’m sorry about the other day.” Will was silent, and Hunter followed his gaze down to the book that was now laying on the ground between them.

Hunter leaned down and picked it up. He looked at it for a minute and then looked at Will, understanding. His eyes were narrow now too. He pushed the book at Will. “Take it, then,” he said coolly.

Will hesitated for a second, and Hunter pushed it against his chest, setting Will back on his heels. “Take it,” he repeated. “I don’t care.”