Hunterland by Dana Claire

Author:Dana Claire [Claire, Dana]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: CamCat Publishing

After a fitful sleep, I woke the next morning to see a Ford Focus in the driveway. Apparently, Agent Hunter and Liam towed the Bronco and picked up a rental, all before the rest of us even had breakfast. As I made my way into the kitchen, I saw Liam at the coffeepot, chatting with his dad while Jac and Pepper ate cereal at the kitchen table and fought over the prize at the bottom of the box. My dad sat in the living room with the local news on, his favorite blue coffee mug in his hand per his usual routine. If I had been anyone else, I’d have thought we’d all have lived together since forever. It appeared so . . . normal.

Liam looked at his watch. Oddly, it matched the one Jac wore. “We’re gonna be late.” He pointed at the door. “Let’s go, girls.”

We loaded ourselves into the Ford, a far cry from the Bronco, but this time our seating arrangements changed. Jac jumped into the backseat next to Pepper. No one seemed to notice or make a big deal that she left the front seat open for me. Given the way Liam acted last night, I thought he might have considered our kiss a mistake. He barely even acknowledged me this morning.

As we pulled into the school parking lot, I saw Jessica and Dustin getting out of the Volkswagen. I wanted to hide, but I knew eventually they’d find out the Hunters were staying with us. Better to face the music now than later.

We got out of the car and were headed toward school when Liam spoke. “Buddy system today.” He pointed at all of us. “That goes for everyone here. You understand?”

Pepper nodded without protest, causing my mouth to drop to the floor. My sister compliant? Who was this teenager?

Ahead of us, Jessica turned slightly and caught my eye. “Hey,” she said, running backward to meet up with me. Dustin followed in her wake. “We texted you all night. You never answered.” She glared at Liam, who nodded to Jac and Pepper to continue walking. Funny how Pepper never chose to listen to me, but for Liam Hunter, I think my sister would jump off the Leo Frigo Memorial Bridge.

Unfazed by an obedient Pepper, Jessica pulled her bookbag higher on her shoulder. “You know, about the thing.” Jessica’s rapid eye blinking worked against her attempt to be discreet.

I motioned with my head to Liam. “He knows. They all know.”

Dustin patted Liam on the back. “What’s up, man?”

Liam nodded.

“Who’s all?” Dustin frowned.

“My dad, her dad, and my sister,” Liam answered, threading his fingers into mine. The scab on his knuckles brushed against my skin, his touch rough but sweet. He rubbed his thumb over the top of my hand as if he had done it a thousand times.

Dustin and Jessica’s eyes fell immediately to our locked hands. Right then and there, I wanted to curl up into a tiny ball of self-conscious energy, but the hopeless romantic part inside of me screamed out with joy.

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