What You Don't Know (Sequel to "Secret Love")(Hunter Hayes/James Marsden)

Surprises and Tattoos

All right. So the new year has begun, and I suppose that means I'll have to keep to my word and begin more regular updates. The writing of this story is going to be difficult, so keep in mind that my updates will probably be a little less frequent than they were with "Secret Love". I will try, though. 

Also, I'm sure many of you have already figured out what her "secret" is, and I'm sure you'll figure out the next "twist" as well. Just please try and refrain from posting it in the comments, as there may be others who have not read the first book and will not know. 

God Bless and Happy Reading.

"Whoa." Amanda's mouth gaped, and her eyes were wide as saucers. Her hands nervously clutched a cup of coffee that was drained of warmth. Even her toes were curled under the table. Beth's hand cupped her neck, and her other hand twirled her Styrofoam latte mug in tiny circles on the wooden countertop.

"Yeah," she replied, blowing out the breath she had been holding and glancing timidly at the other girl. What would she think of her, now that she knew her past?

"Bethany, I...I'm so sorry you went through that. Nobody should have to...gosh, that's not right."

Bethany saw the pain in Amanda's eyes, and knew that she really could understand. Amanda got out of her seat to envelope her in a tight embrace, and Bethany was immediately glad that she had trusted her with her secret. Just saying it aloud had been like a wedge stuck under a table leg that had always been a little shorter than the rest of them: it was not the same as being perfect, but it felt a lot closer.

"Thank you, Amanda." The blonde pulled away and smiled apprehensively.

Amanda sat back in her chair and took a swig of her coffee, scrunching her face in disgust. "Oh, that is not good at all," she exclaimed, her mouth pinched into a hard line. "Gross."

Beth laughed, though her mind was still filled with memories, still haunted by one question.

"Amanda...what about Hunter? Should I tell him?"

Amanda thought for a moment. She looked at Beth cautiously, taking in the raging red hue of her bottom lip, which she was still biting, the stress-written wrinkles on the brunette's pretty forehead, and the defeated, vulnerable slump of her best friend's shoulders. Would telling Hunter make it easier for her to handle?

"Well, Beth, I..."

"I'm home!" Hunter called, bursting through the door with his guitar case in one hand and a bag of sandwiches in the other. "Madame James, are you here?" he cried, affecting the phoniest British accent either of the girls had ever heard.

The two in the kitchen looked at each other warily, then laughed, making a silent agreement to put their conversation on hold, at least until they could be alone.

"We're in the kitchen, Hunt!" Bethany answered, plucking her coffee mug off the counter and dumping the contents down the drain. Amanda got up from the table and followed suit, and they were just closing the drawer that housed their trash can when Hunter's face appeared in the doorway.

"There you are, love," he said, smiling at the both of them, still using the ridiculous drawl. Bethany giggled, watching as he stood his guitar case up against the refrigerator and dropped the plastic bag full of food on the counter. He came over to plant a chaste kiss on Bethany's cheek, making her blush. Then he moved over to give Amanda a hug.

"Amanda!" he exclaimed, looking her over awkwardly, but not unkindly. He held no real animosity toward her anymore. It was just too difficult to hate her after seeing everything she had been through. Besides, she had been a good friend to Bethany since the court case had ended, and he was grateful for that. "I thought I saw your car outside. How've you been?" he asked, leaning on the kitchen counter and watching as she laughed.