Chapter Four

--

Dustin groaned as he watched Hunter leave. How could he have blown it like that? He'd finally done it, asked Hunter out, and then what did he do? He took it back, with a pathetic cover. Sure, Hunter seemed to fall for it, but was that really a good thing?

"What's the matter, Dustin?" asked Kelly, coming in.

Apparently she'd forgotten that Dustin didn't want to be asked that. But he just shrugged. "Nothing."

She frowned. "You sure? You and Hunter okay?"

"We're fine," he said, forcing a smile.

"Uh-huh," she said doubtfully. "Well then, you'd better get back to work."

"Yeah, sure." He watched her go and sighed, his thoughts turning to Hunter again. Way to go, Dustin, he thought silently.

--

Blake looked over at his brother and frowned in concern. Something was definitely up with him. He was sitting on the couch, staring not at the TV screen, but past it—through it or something. His mind wasn't on the movie playing. Blake slapped his arm lightly. "Hey Hunter, what's up?"

Hunter started out of his thoughts and looked at Blake in surprise. "Hmm?"
"What's on your mind?" Blake asked.

"Nothing," he answered. "Why?"

He rolled his eyes. "How long have we known each other? Like all our lives?"

"Something like that," Hunter said, smirking a little.

"And you're still trying to pull that one." He shook his head. "Come on, what is it?" Hunter didn't answer and he sighed. "What, did you meet a girl?"

Hunter shot him a look, but shook his head.

Blake paused. "A boy?"

"Blake—"

"Take it easy," he cut in quickly. "It's not like anyone else is here."

"You know I don't like you talking about it," Hunter said flatly.

"I know," Blake said. He paused, watching Hunter. "Look bro, I'm sorry, but that's what it is, isn't it?"

He didn't answer for a few moments, then he looked at Blake slowly. "Yeah, it is."

"Can I ask who?" he asked.

"Yeah, but I'm not telling." Hunter turned back to the TV again.

Blake nodded. "Okay, I guess. So you gonna tell him?"

"Can we not talk about this?" Hunter asked.

"Sure," he said, looking back at the movie.

They sat in uncomfortable silence for a few minutes, but then Hunter spoke. "I'm not going to tell him."

Blake looked at him. "Why not?" he asked hesitantly.

Hunter shrugged, still not looking at him. "I can't. There's no point in it."

"You sure?" he asked.

He nodded. "Yeah."

Blake sighed, putting a hand on Hunter's arm and squeezing it. "Look, you know what I'm gonna say, and I know it isn't as easy as it sounds." He paused. "I'm a fine one to talk, really. But I really think you oughtta just tell him, whoever it is. It's obvious it's bothering you."

"It is," he admitted slowly. "But it's not worth it. I mean, I'd have to tell all the others and . . . I don't know how they'd react."

"You've got nothing to worry about if that's you main concern," Blake said. "Come on, you know they'd be cool. Sure, they'd probably be surprised, but after all we've been through it won't make a difference." He paused. "Besides, it's probably time you told them anyway."

"I can't just bring it up out of nowhere," Hunter said. "It'd be weird."

"It'd be fine," Blake said. "Trust me. You're probably thinking about it too much, you always do."

"I know," he said.

"Just start with telling whoever this guy is," he offered. "Then tell the others. They'll be cool with it, I know it."

"Maybe," Hunter said quietly.

Blake stood. "Come on, we have to get ready for tonight."

He looked at the clock. "Yeah. Let's go."

--