Page 30 of Boys Who Hunt

“I think that’s amazing. You don’t need your parents to succeed,” he says, making me feel a little prouder of my accomplishments.

“Thanks,” I say, finishing my food. “I appreciate it. The food as well.”

“Don’t mention it,” he says. “Besides, can’t let a lady go hungry.” He adds a wink, making my heart flutter a little.

Maybe not all of the Skull and Serpent Society guys are evil. “You know, you’re not half bad.”

He laughs. “Thanks. You’re not half too bad yourself either.”

I snort and playfully shove him. “You know what I mean.”

“Yeah.” He pulls out his phone. “Before I forget, lemme give you my number so you can always reach me.”

I frown, confused about how we got to this point so easily already, but I’m not going to say no either. I take out my phone and copy his number.

“Thanks.”

“My pleasure.” He keeps staring at me with those soulful eyes like he’s taking in every inch of my face, and something about that makes me look away so he doesn’t see me blush.

“Those things in your ears…”

I frown. “Oh. They’re hearing aids.”

I take them out and show them to him, and he seems intrigued. I can see his mouth move but can’t hear anything, so I sign to him.

Can’t hear you.

He sheepishly looks at me for a few seconds before he hands them back, and I swiftly tuck them into my ears. “Sorry,” he mutters. “I didn’t realize.”

“It’s okay.”

“So you can’t hear at all without them?” he asks.

I shake my head. “Barely. I may hear some loud noise, but that’s it.”

“Does it bother you at all?”

“No. I was born with it, so this is all I’ve ever known.”

He leans on his hand as he seems even more fascinated. “Wow, so you got those when you were a kid?”

“Not these specifically since they’re too big for kid’s ears. But I did have similar ones when I was a kid, yeah.”

“But I just saw you sign.”

“My parents wanted me to learn how to speak in both languages so I could always navigate the world, even without my hearing aids.”

“That’s wonderful. I love how you just did that with your hands so fluently. Now I wish I could use sign language too.”

A smug smile forms on my face. “It’s never too late to learn.”

“You know what? You’re right. Maybe I should start.”

I take another sip of my iced tea, feeling good about this whole thing. Maybe he could be a friend after all.

“Can I ask you something?” he says, pausing for a second. “Why did you steal from them?”

My eyes widen.