Page 76 of Mine To Hunt

“Ree.” He says warmly. He pulls back just enough to look at my face. “It’s good to see you. You okay with whatever Maddie’s cooked up?”

I nod, the warmth of their concern pushing back a little more of the heaviness I’ve been carrying.

“Hanging in there.” I say with a small smile. I glance between them. “So… what exactly is the plan?”

Al exchanges a quick look with Maddie before turning back to me with a mysterious grin.

“It’s a surprise.” He winks. “But trust us. You’re going to have fun. And it’s exactly what you need right now.”

A few minutes later we pile into Maddie’s car. She takes the driver’s seat while Al slides into the back.

As the car pulls away from the curb, the conversation flows easily between us, filling the quiet spaces that would normally give my thoughts too much room to wander.

“So.” Al says from the back seat after a moment, leaning slightly forward between the seats.

“Ree, how’s the job treating you overall?” His voice carries genuine curiosity.

I turn slightly in my seat so I can see him. “It’s… intense.” I admit. “A lot of crime stories lately.”

I shrug. “But honestly, it’s been a good distraction.” A small pause. “At least from everything else. Although the rumors about the video have made things… complicated.”

Maddie immediately glances at me from the driver’s seat.

“Rumors?” Her eyebrows knit together. “What happened?”

I hesitate briefly before answering. “Someone from the editing team.” I explain. “His name’s Mike.”

I look down at my hands. “He’s been telling people I was hired out of pity.” My throat tightens slightly. “Because of the video scandal at my university.”

I shrug weakly. “Now people whisper when I walk by. And half the office avoids eye contact like I’m radioactive.”

Al frowns immediately. “That’s complete crap. Who does this Mike guy think he is?”

He leans forward slightly. “You want me to have a word with him?”

I laugh lightly, shaking my head. “Thanks, Al. But I’ll handle it.” My voice softens. “It just… sucks.”

I stare out the window. “Feeling judged all over again.”

Maddie’s hands tighten slightly on the steering wheel.

“If it doesn’t die down soon,” she says firmly, “you should confront him.” Her voice carries protective anger. “You deserve way better than that kind of treatment.”

Al nods in agreement behind me. “Yeah.” He cracks his knuckles jokingly. “Or let me talk to him. I can be pretty persuasive when I need to be.”

I smile despite myself. “Tempting. But no.” I glance between them, grateful. “Still… I really appreciate you two having my back.”

Maddie smiles, clearly pleased that the conversation has lightened a little, but after a few minutes she shifts in her seat, her expression turning mischievous.

“Remember that gossip at uni about Professor Kingsley and that TA he was always meeting with?”

I let out a quiet breath through my nose. “How could I forget?” I say. “That rumor followed them everywhere.”

Al chuckles from the back seat. “Oh yeah. They denied it every chance they got. But nobody believed them.”

He smirks. “He’d always keep her back after class for‘extra discussion.’”

Al makes exaggerated air quotes.