Page 29 of Hunt Me

I glance around and see that a few students caught me lifting my middle finger and are trying like hell to pretend they didn’t see it.

‘Come on,’ he urges. ‘Unless you have a meeting.’

I shake my head. ‘You’re just lonely because Thom isn’t here. I know I’m second choice.’

He rolls his eyes. ‘So what? You still need food, and I want company.’

I sigh and then nod, knowing I probably should eat something. I’m going to need sustenance before going on my unhinged mission. Then I can be focused solely on Arhe and not my stomach.

I throw the satchel over my shoulder and follow Robbie out of the classroom, locking it behind me and following him across campus toward the Deaf Chef food truck.

When we approach, I immediately spot Rhett, Robbie’s in-class interpreter and Mellie’s boyfriend. He’s standing beside the little table full of hand-packed jars of honey, talking to one of the students. They’re mostly facing away from me, so I can’t make out what they’re saying, but I don’t really care. I have too much on my mind right now.

Mellie waves through the window, snagging my attention. ‘Hungry?’

I shrug and eye his menu. My gaze catches on the peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Terrible for me, but tastes so good. ‘Number four with fruit.’

Robbie orders in my periphery as Rhett finishes off peddling Mellie’s brother’s honey and jerks his head over, beckoning me close. ‘You look tired,’ he tells me.

Ah, Deaf blunt. ‘Haven’t been sleeping much.’

‘He has a new boyfriend,’ Robbie signs as he slips up beside me.

Rhett’s brows fly up. ‘True-biz?’

‘No—’

‘Yes,’ Robbie corrects. ‘I know that look. I had that look when I first met Thom. Is he hearing?’

I let out a heavy sigh, allowing them to both see it on my face in the way my shoulders sag. ‘No boyfriend.’

That’s not a lie. Arhe is not my boyfriend. He’s not my…well, anything. He’s a guy who left me practically bare-assed and horny as fuck in a graveyard, then made up for it a thousandtimes over in the supply closet after my show before leaving meagain.

But I don’t really know how to explain that to either of them.

I don’t know that I want to.

‘He’s keeping secrets,’ Rhett says. ‘Look-look. His face.’

I flip them both off and turn my back, and since I’m not wearing my cochlear implants, I can shut them out properly. I see Mellie laughing as he boxes up my grilled PB and J, and he passes it through the window.

‘You can tell me. I’m a vault of secrets.’

‘You’re a liar,’ I tell him as I take my food. Mellie’s a terrible gossip, even by Deaf community standards. ‘If I say anything, everyone will know before noon tomorrow.’

He pouts, but I don’t give in. I’ll tell them when I have something to tell. If I ever have something besides getting fucked rotten by a stranger whose last name I don’t know.

Turning back to Robbie and Rhett, who are having a very enthusiastic conversation about the final bits of rebuilding after the gym fire, I wave at them to get their attention, making a noise since Rhett will hear me.

He does, and he jerks his chin toward me so Robbie will notice.

‘I’m leaving.’ Robbie raises his hands in protest, but I shake my head. ‘Important. See you later.’

Very unlike me, of course, to leave without a long goodbye, but I have things to do. A man to stalk, answers to demand, and maybe an orgasm to get—andgive.

And I’m not going to stop until I get exactly what I want.

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