Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 63854 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 319(@200wpm)___ 255(@250wpm)___ 213(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63854 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 319(@200wpm)___ 255(@250wpm)___ 213(@300wpm)
I mean, everything with the Hunters has been moving really quickly, and we’re still discovering what it means for us to be together. I haven't had much chance to think about my parents.
Or maybe I’ve just been dreading this reaction.
“Are they all in there? All five of them?” Mom asks.
“Are you talking about the Hunters?” I can’t believe she won’t even say their family name.
“Yes. Them,” she says through gritted teeth. “Are they all in there?”
“Yes.” My heart shivers in fear, but what else can I do? I can’t hide the Hunters forever, especially from my mother.
If this were just a short fling, there’s a chance I could keep my mom in the dark. But since it looks like we’re jumping in with all twelve of our feet, I need to do this right.
My mom’s face contorts into an ugly mask of disbelief and disgust. Her eyebrows are furrowed together, and the corners of her lips curve down with disapproval.
“Just one of them would’ve been too much. All five? What are you?” she asks, staring at me like she’s looking at a stranger.
“Mom, you don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Of course, I do. Everyone knows. The whole town knows. I was the last one to find out, but oh, I know.”
Despite my resolution to be brave and ignore what people think of me, doubt and guilt stab me in the gut, making me feel sick.
Have I been wrong, this whole time?
Have I actually been doing something disgusting and unforgivable?
A hand lands on my shoulder, which is hidden behind the door. I turn to see Ollie still standing there, rubbing my back gently.
No.
Something this beautiful can’t be wrong. I’ve felt more love than I ever have in my life.
My mom’s not always right. Look at how wrong she was about Joseph. He was just good on paper, nice on the surface.
And then it hits me . . . that’s all my mom cares about.
To her, I’m inviting gossip and hurting my precious reputation. Those are the ultimate offenses, to my mom, and I have to avoid them, even if I have to live an unhappy life to do that.
“Nothing to say?” Mom asks mockingly. “That’s right. You can’t hide five men in your small house. You don’t think your neighbors would notice? Your students, their parents, your colleagues?
“What are you going to do about your job? I hear the superintendent’s not happy to hear about what you’ve been up to, and I don’t blame him.
“Oh, Ava. What have you gone and done now?” Mom asks. “Now you’re going to have to continue living with the shame while they get to go back to their lives.
“I told you, you should’ve stayed away from people like them. They’d just drag you down with them.”
I watch as my mom finishes her judgmental diatribe. She speaks as if my whole life has ended over one stupid, careless mistake.
She couldn’t be more wrong.
“Mom, I appreciate your concern.” My voice shakes with fear and anger, but I can’t stop now. This needs to be said. “The Hunters and I have a beautiful relationship. Unless you can accept that and treat us with respect, I don’t want to speak to you.”
My mom’s jaw drops open like she’s about to say something, but all I hear is the night breeze rustling the leaves in the front yard.
“Good night, Mom.” I withdraw into the hallway and push the door closed.
I’ve never felt happier or healthier in my life. My mom can’t convince me there’s anything wrong with my relationship, even if it is unconventional.
My mom starts knocking on the door as Ollie pulls me into a deep, tight hug. “That was amazing, Ava. I love you.”
“I love you too, Ollie.”
As Liam, Mason, and the twins come to join us, we share an emotional moment with the sound of my mom’s knocking in the background.
Once again, our bond gets tested and only grows stronger.
I feel like I can do anything.
“Let’s do this,” I say.
“Do what?”
“Publicize the case.”
“Are you sure?” Liam asks as my mom stops knocking—hopefully, she’s decided to go home.
I nod. “Very.”
If we’re going to do this—and we definitely are—we can’t take half-measures. The only way to get through this is to make a stand together.
Instead of preventing people from talking about us altogether, I’m going to take a page out of the twins’ book and dominate the conversation by putting my own spin on the stories of my life.
“I don’t want to hide anymore,” I say. “I haven’t done anything wrong. I haven’t hurt anybody.”
“You couldn’t hurt a fly.” Mason chuckles as he kisses me on the lips.
I smile as I pull away from Mason, only to be showered with more kisses.
“We all complement one another,” I say. “We’re better together, and—”
Ring! Ring!
I stop my speech as Mason grabs the phone in his back pocket. The man has multiple phones and he spends too much time staring at those little screens.