Chapter 18 - Oliver

T he crowd goes wild as The Hurricanes score again, putting us up three to one, with our team in the lead. The guy who scores takes a little bow, and we roar at his celebration. It's electric in the arena, and the more people scream and chant, the better the team plays. It's been a long time since we all came together to a hockey game as a family, and it's nice to see Mom and Dad lost in it, smiling and yelling every time they get excited about something—even if Dad's smile will never be directed at me. On the other hand, this is the hardest thing I've ever done. Being within touching distance of Hunter yet unable to give in to the urge to wrap my arms around him.

We keep stealing glances at each other, trying not to make it obvious, but I'm pretty sure Mom has caught us a time or two, as she always does. It's odd that she's never said anything about it or even attempted to bring it up. I can tell she knows something is happening between us because she always raises an eyebrow at me when she catches me drooling over him, but she has never commented on it, even when I'm caught red-handed. It makes me nervous that she will turn around and reject the idea of us being together one day. I know her approval is essential to Hunter, and if she tells him no, he will break up with me. No matter how much he says he loves me.

He's still not ready to come out, even though we're almost done with senior year. It's a conversation we've had time and time again, yet he always evades the question. He's a master at that, and I let it slide because I'm scared of the answer. There must be a reason he's trying not to hurt my feelings, and sometimes, it's less painful to stay in the dark. I feel like it's easier to live in a dream world where we're happy and together, even if it's in a bubble. I'd happily stay in the bubble as long as it takes, just so he can give me whatever pieces of himself he's willing to part with.

With my questions staying unanswered though, comes many doubts and fears. When will this be over? Will he ever even come out to our parents? Does he actually love me, or am I just someone to pass the time with until we go to college? Something tells me his feelings for me are genuine, but it's still scary to be kept in the dark. And the possibility of it being forever makes my throat close the hell up.

The Hurricanes almost score again, but Boston's goalie blocks it with his pad. The puck ricochets, and the Bruins take control of it, one of the forwards soaring across the rink. We hold our breaths, and a collective silence falls over us as he flicks his wrist and delivers a hell of a shot, just for it to be caught by our goalie in his glove. The whistle sounds off, and we celebrate again.

Hunter and I steal a glimpse at one another, and he grins while pleading with his eyes all at the same time. I can't tell what he's asking for, though my stomach dips, and before I can figure it out he turns his stare back to the game. My dad and him are both enraptured by the game, and it's nice to see them in their element. Conrad has always been his biggest supporter despite not being blood-related. It makes me so damn happy that Hunter can experience what a dad is supposed to be like. He didn't have that with his biological father. And I know that he never will. Even if my dad doesn't give a shit about me half the time, I'm glad Hunt has a good relationship with him.

I keep my focus on him for another moment, memorizing the way his expression lights up as The Hurricanes score another goal. The way he jumps up and down and screams. It makes me smile to see him happy, even though it feels like my blood is boiling from how unsure I am about everything. Maybe we need to have another talk. Maybe?—

When I tear my gaze away from him, I find Lucy staring right at me. Her lips are pursed, and she raises an eyebrow. I glance away immediately, and I feel my face heating up. This isn't the time to have a conversation, and I say a little prayer that she lets this go.

Please, please. Just drop it .

And she does, because when I steal another glance at her, her eyes are back on the game. However, I just know the damage is done, and I can't keep looking at Hunter anymore tonight.

So I don't.

We make our way back to the car when the game is over, and it takes twice as long as it should with the Saturday night crowd. I opt to sit in the third row of the SUV, and instead of taking the hint, Hunter joins me. I hold my breath for a moment, then let it out slowly. I'm about to tell him to sit in the row in front of me, when his hand grabs the inside of my thigh and squeezes hard. I close my eyes, relishing in the feel of it, when he leans in and presses his lips against my ear.

I feel them brushing against my skin as he asks, "What's wrong, Blue?"

My stomach flips when he calls me that, and I open my eyes to see Lucy staring at us from the mirror in the front. I avert my stare and shake my head, and Hunter tightens his hand on my thigh to a very painful degree. I'm sure it'll leave bruises, though I refuse to answer the question. I don't want to put even more doubts in his mind. I don't want to tell him that his mom is onto us. That she might not approve.

So I lie through my teeth. "I'm just tired."

"We'll get some good sleep soon, baby," he whispers, grabbing my hand and bringing it to his lap.

I stay still so I don't draw attention to us, mainly because her eyes are still on us. I can feel them, so I don't know how he hasn't noticed. But I'm not complaining, especially with his warm hand in mine. It's not like she can see anything anyway. And when I look back and see that she's still staring, I'm the one to raise my eyebrow, and she's the one to avert her eyes.

I don't give a fuck how much she doesn't approve.

He's mine.

And I'm not letting him go.