I SOBBED QUIETLY BEHIND A tree like some heartbroken teenager—my throat searing as I tried to get it together.

Hunt was right. Jace and Jessica had been together for god knew how long, and I was too stupid to see it.

I took a breath, desperately trying to compose myself, but every time I did, I broke again. Thank god for waterproof mascara; otherwise, my face would have been a mess.

From behind, someone cleared their throat, and I wiped my eyes, turning and finding the last person I wanted to see.

I blew out a disgruntled breath. "What do you want, Hunt?"

We were far enough from the crowd that I didn't have to worry about anyone noticing us by the secluded tree, but thanks to the hill's vantage, I could still make out the stupid piece of shit ex-boyfriend.

Hunt propped a shoulder against the trunk—hands stuffed in his pockets. "I thought I'd check on you."

"To gloat about how right you were about Jace," I snipped, wiping the tears from my chin.

"To be a soundboard," he replied, "if you need it."

I looked him over, taken aback by his offer. He knew about Jace, and I wanted to know how.

"I saw them," he answered, not beating around the bush. "They came to a party down by the cliffs."

"When?" I asked, steeling myself.

"July."

That asshole. That piece of shit.

Anger curdled in my blood, but it did nothing to alleviate the hurt. Three months. He'd been cheating on me for three months with a friend who checked in every Tuesday after work. She brought everything I needed: tacos, self-care kits, and other bullshit gifts to my grandparent's house when I was taking care of Hama.

Hot tears poured down my cheeks—my gaze dragging to the crowd where Lily was reaming them out with a pointed finger.

Jace's expression fell—his eyes darting through the crowd before he found me. And Hunt.

He cut past Lily, followed closely by a few others from our team. Others who knew and had said nothing to me.

Hunt took notice—his smile an indication of trouble. "What would you say to a little payback?"

My brows pinched when he casually reverted. "And what exactly did you have in mind?"

Hunt took a step closer, causing me to lift my chin.

He waited for me to protest. I didn't, allowing his calloused hand to cup my jaw. "I'm assuming everyone's been wondering how you got home. Why not give them something to talk about?"

My breath hitched as he grabbed my waist, pulling me in a bit closer. "And what's in it for you?" I asked, trying to maintain my composure.

"Nothing but the pure satisfaction of seeing Jace's face when he catches us." He smiled—his grin knee-weakening.

I glared. "I thought you said I was old news."

"Clearly, I was wrong." We discreetly glanced back at the crowd where Jace was shoving through people. "Determined, isn't he?"

I ignored him—contemplating. It was no secret how much Hunt and Jace hated each other. They were on opposing teams. Rivals. They'd competed against one another for half their careers, so I could understand why Hunt wanted this. It was so he could rattle Jace and maintain his place at the top, but there was a problem.

"Rumours will spread," I warned, knowing our parents would lose their shit. My dad's question about Hunt and I's relationship was kind but strained. I knew him well enough to know he'd be concerned.

"Let them," Hunt said.

I frowned. He knew damn well the Baker-Hunt feud had been going on for years. Everyone in the racing community knew about the war we'd been born into.

Hunts grey eyes darted to mine, just as soft as the knuckles he dragged down my cheek. "You might wanna make your decision."

I glanced past his shoulder, finding Jace break through the crowd's edge.

My heart tumbled to the pit of my stomach. He'd been with Jessica while he was with me. Sneaking around behind my back, but that's not what bothered me most. It was the way the team talked to her. How she beamed brightly at Jace with her beautifully sweet honey-blonde hair, curled to absolute perfection, and those doe eyes that looked nothing like mine.

My throat constricted. Jace and I had been together since I was seventeen when my dad recruited him, and he moved to our hometown. 

It hurt, but not as badly as the humiliation when Lily and I saw them kissing in front of everyone.

Jace ventured up the slight slope—strides long and deliberate.

Without thought, I reached behind Hunt's neck, tipped my dark head and rose.

He stilled when my lips collided with his, and my heart raced, hoping this was what he had in mind.

I braced myself, assuming that kissing Hunt—someone I'm supposed to hate—would be horrifying. Like wading through algae-covered ponds infested with frogs and leeches, but Hunt—

He instantly took control and parted his pillow-soft lips.

My toes curled as he pinned me to the tree—his hand cupping my neck.

The kiss was slow and thorough. Like he was memorizing every line out of a textbook and storing the information for later use, and when his tongue grazed mine—

I wrapped my arms around his shoulders, surrendering to him completely. I hadn't been kissed like this in a long time, and I savoured the sweetness of the forbidden fruit. That is until Jace's voice cut between us and severed our connection.

We broke—more from Jace yanking Hunt off me and shoving him back.

I hardly registered what was going on.

Jace positioned himself between us. The rest of the team surrounding Hunt.

Bear, Morin and a few others from team Hunt rushed the hill. They must have been watching because they swarmed, shoving the guys from mine back before getting in their faces.

My ex was livid if the tightness in his shoulders was any indication. "What the hell do you think you're doing, Hunt?"

Jessica was soon forgotten as she came to the bottom of the hill, but I hardly noticed.

Hunt cracked a smile, his shit-eating grin curved and glistening. "I would assume it was obvious, Jace. I'm kissing my girl."

My mouth dried—my feet finding their footing. I shoved through members of my team and positioned myself between Jace and Hunt—my back to the latter. 

"Your girl?"

Hunt stood tall behind me, his hands slipping around my waist and lips pressed against my neck.

A flare of heat had the backs of my knees melting, but I stayed rooted as Jace's stare fell on me—the question obvious.

I wanted to squirm under that gaze. Under the gaze of them all. That is, until he shook his head with disappointment. "Seriously, Nadine? Hunt?"

I hated his haughty tone and smug arrogance. I lifted my chin as Hunt set his own in the crook of my neck. "Is there a problem?"

Jace was a mosaic of emotions. But his rage took the cake when Hunt repeated my words. "Yeah, Jace. Is there a problem?"

"Your dad is going to shit a brick when he finds out." The rest of the team seemed to agree, but I hardly noticed.

I lifted a brow. "He didn't seem to mind when Hunt dropped me off last night."

I could feel the whispers ooze through me, but I didn't care. I was pissed off and humiliated. I'd spent months caring for my grandmother while the man I loved cheated on me behind my back.

Something between betrayal and concern crossed Jace's features, but it was nothing compared to the murmurs heating the night. "You caught a ride with Hunt?"

"I did," I stated proudly. Not about to back down.

I felt every eye on us, including Lily. I had nothing to fear. Not with Hunt anchoring me. "You're the one who cheated on me and with my friend," I snapped, pointing a long, accusatory arm in her direction.

Jessica blinked, searching for help. But Jace wasn't protecting her the way Hunt was me—Levi's presence alone had the others tensing, and Bear looked like he might throw down at any moment.

Jace's eyes ticked in mine. "I didn't cheat on you, Nadine."

I didn't know what was true at this point. If he did and was trying to save face in front of the team, or if he hadn't and was telling the truth. I didn't care. "Maybe not, but you sure as hell did move on pretty fucking quick, didn't you."

The whispers were like steel wool against teeth.

I wasn't usually petty, but in that moment, I found myself looking at my once friend—the girl I'd recommended when Austin said he was looking for help and said, "Enjoy my leftovers, Jess. You two deserve each other."

I felt Hunt's pride seep into me as I slid my fingers in his and led him away—the rest of his team following behind.

Hunt draped an arm over my shoulders, and Bear slowly backed away. "Enjoy the show, Jace."

I tucked an arm around Hunt's waist when he brought me closer, unable to hold down my smile, but I knew it wasn't over.

***

Hunt drove me home, turning off the truck after we pulled up to the empty house. Nico was gone. And mom and dad had plans with aunt Janelle and uncle Nate after the banquet.

The quiet suffocated—the moon's unforgiving glare searing through me above jagged mountain peaks. "So," Hunt said, gazing at the lifeless house, "is this the part where you invite me in?"

I cut him a murderous look. "Is that all you think about?"

He laughed. "You're the one who went there. I just thought you might want some company till your parents got home."

"What makes you think I want your company?"

"You sure did kiss me like you wanted it."

My cheeks warmed. "I was pretending."

"Could've fooled me."

I ground my teeth. "You were the one who didn't want to be my friend, remember?"

His gaze snapped to mine—brows crossed.

"Yeah," I said, "in first grade, when I invited you to my birthday, you said you couldn't be my friend because I was a Baker and you were a Hunt."

Something sad flickered across his expression. "You remember that?"

I did, and it hurt. Levi Hunt had been my friend all through Kindergarten. The shy boy the others picked on because of the hospital blanket he stuffed in his backpack nearly every day. A comfort like the necklace my dad and Hama gifted me.

I shook my head, sloughing off the memory. "Whatever, just forget about it."

"Baker, wait."

I closed the door on Hunt, feeling stupid for kissing him just to make Jace jealous. It was low, petty, and frankly, the stupidest thing I'd ever done.

I left Hunt in my driveway, where he lingered for the better part of five minutes before finally leaving. 

A/N: They kissed!! Eeee! I love this scene so much! Looks like Hunt and Nadine have a deeper history outside their parents feud 👀👀