Page 112 of Hunt Me

Nico lays a hand on my shoulder. “The both of us have been surviving just fucking fine without the three of you hovering over us. And you’ve disabled the threat, Perce. For the love of god, I’m going to lose my mind if I don’t get out and go do something. Please.”

I can see Percy cracking, and I have to give Nico credit—he’s very, very good at getting his way.

“It’s going to be a crowded event,” I tell Percy. I’m not lying. I got an email from Rene letting me know there’s a drag brunch happening at a little Deaf-owned café near the college.

And it’s convenient for me because there are a couple of things I need to pick up from my office, which I can do on the way. Especially now that I feel like I can breathe again without having to look over both shoulders.

“I mean crowded in a good way. Deaf community,” I go on. “It’s a drag brunch. There will be a ton of my friends there. No one’s going to kidnap anyone or light the building on fire.”

Percy’s eyes narrow like he wants to argue. Like maybe he has a reason to argue. After what feels like forever, Percy’s shoulders sag. “Fine. But brunch and home. Nowhere else.”

Nico throws himself at Percy. “Thanks, Daddy.”

He catches him but gives him a sour face. “Don’t fucking start with me, Nic.”

Nico pouts, but he kisses Percy on the cheek, and Percy lets him. I have a feeling that at the moment, Nico might be the only person Percy lets get away with being that touchy-feely. He’s a lot like Archie in that way.

Dropping out of Percy’s grasp, Nico turns and makes a grabby hand for me. “Come on, babe. I’ll drive.”

It’s only when we get outside and around the back of the house that I realize why he wants to drive. He has a very cute, very tiny, two-seater BMW convertible in Tiffany blue. He gets behind the wheel and does a little wiggle, waiting for me to get in before he starts the engine, and it rumbles so loudly I quickly reach up and yank my processors off my head.

The noise gives way to silence and vibration, and I let out a breath of relief.

Nico grins at me. ‘Ready?’

I’m so fucking ready. I needed this. I needed a moment to get out, to feel like myself, to feel safe and not like I have to run into Archie’s arms every time I’m away from him for too long.

I like being close to him, but I want to be able to choose when I am. I’m so fucking done with being scared shitless and letting my trauma steal bits of my independence.

The drive to the café isn’t far, but the tiny parking lot is full, so I tap Nico and point down the block toward the college. ‘I have my pass,’ I sign. ‘We can use the staff parking lot.’

He gives me a thumbs-up, then follows my directions toward the gate. He taps my pass on the little white box, and the security arm lifts up, and he rolls past it, taking a spot right near the edge of the lot that’s closest to the street.

I stretch, the tension easing from my body the moment I’m out of the car, then adjust my outfit and check myself in the reflection of the window. It’s been a long time since I was out and about, and I’m terrified I look like some kind of gremlin living under a bridge. I sway close to Nico as he grins at me.

‘Werk, babe,’ he signs. ‘You look amazing.’

I see why everyone embraced him as family. He seems to read my insecurities off my face and knows exactly how to make them fade.

The fact that he’s still such a hopeful person after everything he’s been through is wild. And I know he deserves the absolute fucking world. I hope he can find happiness, whether it’s here or somewhere else.

For now though, I can at least offer him friendship.

Nico takes my hand and swings it between us as he chats with the other. The walk to the café isn’t far, and as we get close, I see the queue is long.

‘We might not get in,’ he says with a small pout.

I grin. ‘Trust me. We’ll be fine.’

Instead of getting in line, I pull Nico around to the back server entrance and immediately see Rene spraying one of his stilettos with something glittery from a can. He looks up at me as we approach and throws his arms wide, gathering me close.

‘I didn’t think you were going to come!’ he signs after he lets go.

I shrug. ‘I’m feeling better.’

Rene realizes Nico’s hovering off to the side, and he gives him a slow, appreciative up and down. Nico does look very pretty in his artfully distressed jeans and crop top. ‘Who’s your friend?’

‘Nico,’ I sign, then offer the sign name Nico first showed me. ‘Friend of my boyfriend.’