Surviving the Harrison Boys (Re-write)

forty // liar (hunter's pov)

Eclipse wasn't in the mood to go out for a ride, so I took Copper and Lilly and went for a walk. Copper was trotting along on his leash while I held Lilly in my arms. Her eyes wandered around the property curiously.

The anger burning inside me physically hurt. Where did all this even come from? First Hanna thought the drugs were mine, and now she was accusing me of selling them to him? What kind of person did she take me for? I had given her no reason to think I was doing anything to harm her sons, but all of a sudden I'm the guilty one?

Because there was no way her precious, loyal sons would do anything like that, right?

Not the Harrison boys. Definitely not them.

"Hunter!" The voice made me stop. I turned and saw Flynn, Blake, and Cody running after me.

I sighed and wanted to keep walking when Blake grabbed my arm. He, Cody, and Flynn basically created a wall in front of me so I couldn't pass.

"What?" I snapped.

"Look, we know you're upset, and we're just as mad as you are, but listen to us just for a second." Cody pleaded.

I nodded for them to continue.

"Your friend, Joel?" The tone of voice already told me this wouldn't be good. "I heard him feeding our mother all kinds of bullshit about the situation with Jack. That's why she was so convinced that you're the one who gave him the drugs."

"Why would he do that?" I asked drily.

Flynn shrugged. "Beats me. He was saying how you had a drug issue back in Minnesota and sometimes his mom would give you money to feed the addiction, or how you'd almost overdose and they'd have to take you to the hospital and all this other nonsense."

I bit my lip. "You heard him say this?"

He nodded. "With my own ears."

"And after you walked away a few minutes ago, I heard him that this was what you deserved." Cody added. "And then he said you should've said yes or something like that."

I looked down at my puppy. Copper looked up at me with curiosity.

"We've been through a lot, but I don't think Joel would do that, guys." Everything was already going wrong and the last thing I wanted was to find out that my best friend wasn't really my best friend after all.

Cody frowned. "I know it's hard for you, Hunter, but if he really said these things then you need to handle it. You can't just let this go."

I sighed. "All right, all right, okay. I'll go talk to him."

"Can we kick his ass?" Blake asked as the three of them followed me back to the house.

I tried not to smile. "Maybe."

***

I let Blake, Cody, and Flynn watch over Copper and Lilly as I went to speak to Joel. He was in his room, reading a book.

"Joel?" I knocked on his door frame.

He looked up. "Hey, what's up?"

"Can we talk?" I asked.

He nodded and set his book down. I entered his room and closed the door behind me.

"What's going on?" He asked as I sat across from him on the bed.

I sighed. "You're not still mad at me, are you?"

"About?"

"About me not feeling the same way."

Joel shook his head. "No, I'm fine. You don't feel the same way then you don't feel the same way. What am I supposed to do about that?"

"And you'd never do anything to sabotage the relationship I have with these people, right?" I asked.

He shook his head again. "Of course not. They're your saviours. If it wasn't for them, God forbid, but your parents probably would've killed you already. I wouldn't ever do anything like that."

"Okay, great." I gave him a fake smile. "Because I was told that you told Hanna that I had a drug problem and your mom would help feed my addiction and when I'd overdose, you guys would have to take me to the hospital and take care of me, but I knew that was too good to be true. Oh, and I also heard that you said that I was yours, as if I'm some kind of object. You wouldn't ever do that to me, would you?"

Joel shook his head slowly. I smiled and stood, starting to pace. "I mean, we've been best friends since forever. We've grown up together, cried together, done stupid shit together. There's no way you would do something to hurt me, right?"

"I wouldn't, Hunter." He whispered. "You know that."

I eyed him for a moment, then nodded. "I thought so. I'll see you later."

"Hunter, hey," Joel stood up and grabbed my hand. I looked down at them before looking up at him.

"You know I wouldn't say shit like that." His voice was low. "You believe me, don't you?"

I sighed gently and nodded. "Of course I do." I took my hand out of his. "I'll see you later."

He lifted his hand and waved slowly as I exited his room.

***

I knocked on Cody's door, and didn't even bother waiting for a response. I walked in. He, Blake, and Flynn were scattered around his room. Lilly was curled up in Flynn's laugh and Copper was cuddling with Blake.

"Why'd you guys lie to me?" I demanded.

Flynn gave me a confused look while the twins looked at me in bewilderment. "Lie to you when?"

"About Joel!" I screeched. "You lied to me."

All three brothers looked at each other before turning back to me. "We didn't lie to you!"

"Really?" I challenged. "I just came back from talking with Joel and he swore up and down that'd he never say shit like that."

Blake dropped his jaw. Cody scoffed. "You believe him over us?"

"We've been friends for years! Why would he suddenly have this hatred towards me and want to sabotage everything I've built here?" I asked them. None of them responded.

"That's what I thought." I grumbled and walked out of Cody's room, slamming the door behind me. Today really wasn't my day.