My Bad Boy Best Friend

Chapter 26: Oh Hunter! You're such a romantic!

Things felt normal again. I was back to third wheeling. Tytan and Rosie were in love and it was kind of gross to watch them make out. Rosie said weird passive aggressive shit to me and tried to convince me that Tytan didn't like me because I was not his type and I ate too many fries and I told her to fuck off.

I understood her jealousy; I was in love with her boyfriend and didn't always hide it. There was only so many sunglasses I could use to cover the heart eyes.

"Hey? You okay?" Hunter asked turning to me.

And now I was hanging out with Hunter at lunch because he was the only person apart from Tytan who I could tolerate and who didn't completely hate me either. I kinda missed Mae and Fran a lot. But they chose their side and that hurt.

"I'm fine," I said, finishing my sandwich.

"You're staring at that tree aggressively." He stated.

"I am an aggressive person!"

"No, you're lonely!"

"Says the guy who's eating lunch with me."

"You threatened me," he said.

"Making friends is hard."

"You have friends," he said, nudging me.

"I have you but I don't think that counts for much."

"I'm going to ignore that because you're sad."

"Fuck off, Hunt!"

"Oh, I'd very much like to."

"Then leave." I sighed.

"And leave you alone risking the wrath of Tytan? No, I think I'd rather not."

"I thought you weren't talking to him?"

"I wasn't. I--I don't think I am. You're more forgiving than I am," he looked down at his pudding and curled his nose, "what he did to you was really shitty, Alexa."

"So how does it matter if you sit with me?"

"He's making an effort and I think this helps."

For a moment he looked almost apologetic.

"Neither of us has to tell him," I shrugged before continuing, "so you can leave, Hunter."

"Why did you forgive him?"

"Because I needed to."

"Don't lie to me, I can tell."

"Because I'm in love with him, does that work?"

"Oh? Oh, I'm sorry." He sounded apologetic.

"Don't be."

"Lex, I wish I could help."

"Why? You don't even like me."

"Didn't say that, did I?"

"Yeah but--you know what I mean," I said, tucking a hair behind my ear.

"You don't actually think that, do you?"

"You tolerate me, I tolerate you, that's how this works."

"No, I think you're fun and cool and not afraid to speak your mind and you'd kick my ass if I fucked up."

"I'm not much for ass kicking anymore."

"Because you're in love?" He managed to say that with a straight face and that was impressive.

"Because ass kicking is a two way street that hurts too much."