A stabbing in my back wakes me up out of a rather peaceful sleep. I tilt my gaze to Hunter curled up behind me. Mystery solved. My eyes drift to the television that is asking if we are still there. Netflix is such an asshole.

I give Hunter a nudge and he lazily opens his eyes. I press my ass back against him and he lets out a grunt. It takes a few moments for him to realize what he's doing to me. He inches back away from me. "Sorry about that. Mornings and all."

I giggle. "Sure, it is."

I stand up from the couch and stretch my arms above my head. "Sorry I passed out."

He grins up at me. "I didn't mind."

With another laugh, I give a pointed look to his crotch. "Obviously."

He continues to eye me from his position on the couch and I get that strange feeling in the pit of my stomach again. I try to brush it off while I search for my shoes. "Oliver is going to be pissed. He's making me run sprints this morning."

"He's such a slave driver. Why don't you just stay here and we'll polish off the rest of season two?" He pulls the blanket back and waggles his eyebrows. "You know you want to know what happens after Blair graduates."

I roll my eyes. "If I crawl back under that blanket with you, I'll really be late."

He shrugs. "It's better than running sprints."

I laugh while I struggle to tie my left sneaker. "Maybe some other time." I give him a wink over my shoulder and his grin widens right before I walk out of the door.

I close the door behind me and make my way across the patio where I'm intercepted by a brooding Oliver. He crosses his arms after glancing at his watch. "You're late."

"I know. I'm sorry."

He cocks his head. "And what were you doing in the guest house?"

I scoff. "Me and Hunter were watching horror movies and I fell asleep."

He raises an eyebrow. "Is that all?"

I punch him in the arm and I step past him. "Of course, douchebag. He's like my brother." That's a total lie. I've thought about Hunter a million different ways over the past week and none of them were fraternal.

I make my way quickly up to my room to change into my track pants and a tank top. My phone buzzes from my bedside table. I didn't even realize I'd left it here. I pick it up and see four missed texts from Judah. Not really what I want to deal with right now so I click them off and scroll to my favorite playlist. I'll let the music drown out the excessive thoughts in my head—especially the ones I shouldn't be having.

***

Oliver pushes me hard and I actually enjoy it. He thinks he's being a dick by screaming at me to run faster, but it fuels me. I take pleasure in the fact that I'm able to surpass people's expectations. I hate to lose.

After two hours of the most grueling sprints and cardio we finally take a break. We sit side by side on the bleachers, drinking water, in silence.

I glance over at Oliver and he really looks like he wants to say something. "Come out with it, Ollie. I know there's something super important swirling around in that brain of yours."

He folds his hands in lap and sighs. "I don't want you with Hunter."

I lean back and give him a stunned look. "Whoa. Where's this coming from?"

He rolls his eyes. "I'm not stupid. I see how you two are together." He pauses and looks over at me. "I know you, Elle. You'll break his heart and I won't have a best friend anymore."

"That's awfully judgmental of you."

"Really? I've seen you bring a six-foot-tall quarterback to his knees and not even flinch." I narrow my eyes at him and he holds his hands up in defense. "Hey, I have no right to say anything. I'm the same way when it comes to relationships. I just don't want you to do it to him, okay?"

I shake my head. "Ollie, I would never—Hunter is important to me. I genuinely like him and there are very few people I can say that about."

Oliver laughs. "Just make sure that likeyou feel doesn't lead to anything more." He pauses for a moment as if he doesn't want to say anymore—but then he does. "It will destroy him."

I laugh again. "Hunter? He's pretty much a carbon copy of you. He barely has feelings himself."

Oliver lowers his voice. "You don't know everything about him, Elle. And he would kill me for talking to you about this."

A part of me wants to immediately call bullshit. I knew Ollie would have a problem with me dating any of his friends, especially Hunter. The look on his face, however, gives me pause.

"Why? What's his deal?"

Oliver closes his eyes and tents his hands around his mouth, blowing out a breath through his nose. "Elle, the games you and Judah play—he would never go for that shit."

My face scrunches up in disgust. "Games? What in the hell are you talking about?"

He turns to me on the bleachers and gives me a look like I'm an idiot. That makes me angrier. "The back and forth, making each other jealous with other people when you don't get your way. Hunter doesn't play games and he's too old for you."

I cross my arms indignantly. "Four years is not a big deal. Are you saying I'm immature?"

He laughs. "You're barely eighteen, and he's a teacher. You're on two totally different playing fields. He may only be a couple years older than you, but trust me—it would end in disaster."

I stand up from the bleachers. "Well, good thing Hunter and I are just friends. You have nothing to worry about."

"Elle," Oliver says in warning.

I cross my fingers over my heart. "Promise. Just friends, okay?"

He nods once. I'm not sure he believes me and more importantly I'm not sure that I believe myself.

***

The steam from the shower is still clouding the mirror as I pull on a pair of black lacy panties and matching bra. Not that I have anyone to impress with them, I just always like to look cute. I have the door open slightly so the steam can escape while I do my make-up.

I prop one leg up on the counter and begin to apply floral scented lotion from my upper thigh down to my calf when the door opens wider.

Hunter does a double take and immediately covers his eyes. "Oh, I'm sorry. I was looking for towels."

This causes me to smile. "What are you so embarrassed for?"

"Um, you're practically naked."

I pull my leg down and pry his hand from his eyes. "I'm wearing more than a bikini would cover."

He looks me up and down and visibly swallows. "Nope. This is much different."

My smile morphs into something more sinister. "Then maybe you should take your shirt off and we'd be even."

He laughs once. "Elliot, what are you trying to do?"

I cross my arms. "It's only fair. You get to see me. I should get the same in return."

"You've seen me without a shirt on a million times."

Feeling suddenly bold, I stand my ground. "It shouldn't be a problem then."

Amusement flashes in his eyes before he reaches back and pulls his T-shirt over his head. He squares his shoulders in front of me and I take in his perfectly toned six-pack. I bite my lip and he lets out some sort of strangled grunt like the one from earlier.

"There," he says, holding his hands out to his sides. "You happy?"

The muscles in his abdomen flex and cause my own stomach to clench. I cock my head to the side. "Take off your pants too."

His pale, blue eyes widen. "Are you serious?"

I shrug. "Do you see me wearing pants?"

He runs his hand roughly down his face and speaks through his hands. "Elle, I'm not sure we should be doing this."

I step closer. "Why not?"

His eyes meet mine and my insides instantly turn liquid. "It's a bad idea."

My hands travel to the buckle of his belt. I slowly release it from the loops and let it fall to the floor with a clang. I lean in close to his ear. "The best ones always are."

My hands are still hovering over the top button of his pants when I feel him harden beneath them. I reach my hand inside and run it along the length of him and he hisses through his teeth.

"Elle—"

I ignore him and then bring my hand back up to release the button, causing his jeans to fall to his knees. He quickly kicks them aside and I smile. "There, now we're even."

His eyes turn darker as we stand close together, half-naked in my bathroom. He tilts his head to me. "Is this what you wanted, Elle? Are you satisfied now?"

The rough tone to his voice makes my stomach flip. Am I satisfied? —absolutely not, but I literally just promised Ollie I wouldn't do this. No matter how tempting it is to push things further with Hunter, I respect his wishes. Surely,he has a good reason for wanting to keep us apart.

I give a small shrug and step past him. "For now."

I catch a look of pleasure on his face before he's completely out of view. The confidence in my voice surprises even me. I hurry into my bedroom and lock the door behind me. I'm not sure what would happen if he followed me in here, but I know it would also be a bad idea.

The screen of my phone lights up from my dresser and I walk over to see who called. Five new texts from Judah. I skim through them briefly, but don't respond. It really pisses me off that he's this attentive now that we're no longer exclusive. I can't see wasting my entire senior year on someone who will probably cheat on me at the next sorority mixer.

With a sigh, I toss my phone to my bed and go in search of some clothes. I pull on a pair of cotton shorts and a tank top before stepping out onto my balcony. It goes a few minutes before I see Hunter walk across the patio to the guest house.

He put his clothes back on, but there is something hesitant about the way he moves. It's almost as if he wants to turn around—and then he does. He stops just before the door and turns back to the main house. Our eyes lock in the moonlit darkness and I'm paralyzed. A part of me wants to run down there and tackle him into the guest house, ripping all of his clothes off in the process. The more rational part of my brain, knows that will only lead to more trouble and I want a fresh start this year.

Slowly, the corners of his lips turn up and he shakes his head. Neither one of us says anything as he turns back around and steps inside the door. I stand there motionless and alone, holding onto a promise I'm not sure I'll be able to keep.