Read Online Boyfriend for Rent by Jamie Lake - Free Book Online

inside. It’d been a week since Hunter agreed to be his pretend boyfriend and Casey was forever grateful. He’d only hoped they could pull it off. He watched as Hunter scraped the mud off his boots. The flakes fell to the floor like confetti. He’d had an idea bouncing around in his head, and he couldn’t put off talking to Hunter about it any longer. He’d been hemming and hawing around about trying to find the right time to bring it up. He’d tried to do it over a meal or while they were working, but it never seemed right. Now he realized that he was running out of time and he just needed to suck it up and say it. He just hoped his friend would take it the way he intended it.
    “The reunion is in a couple of weeks,” Casey said. “The last week in May, actually.”
    “Yeah?” Hunter grabbed a sandwich and stuffed it all inside his mouth at once.
    “I thought maybe we could start to prepare for that.”
    “What do ya mean?”
    “We want to put our best foot forward.”
    “'Course,” Hunter said, slurping iced tea.
    “Maybe we can work on a few things. So we fit in.”
    “I don’t understand,” he answered, with a mouth full of mashed-up ham.
    “People there talk, look, and eat a certain way .”
    “What’s wrong with the way I eat?” Hunter asked, wiping his mouth with the sleeve of his plaid shirt. Crumbs tumbled down to where the mud lay on the floor.
    Casey sighed. “There are a few things that could use improving, that’s all.”
    “Improving?” he asked. “I don’t get it.”
    “I just want this to be as convincing as possible. People have to believe that we’re together.”
    “So, they wouldn’t think a fancy -schmancy guy like you would be with me?” he asked.
    “No, not that at all.”
    “Nah. It’s cool. I ain’t as edja-cated as them folks, I know. This is high school all over again.” Hunter pushed away the rest of the food, his clear eyes clouding over.
    “That’s not what I meant,” Casey said, wondering if he’d just ruined the whole thing right then and there. “I just ...”
    “You just expect me to change who I am ‘cuz you think people’ll look down on you for being with some dumb hick.” Hunter stood.
    “That’s not what I said.” Casey heard his voice getting higher and fought to lower the pitch. “If you’ll just let me explain.”
    “No.” Hunter shook his head. “I 've had enough of people like you tryin’ to make dumb ole’ me understand something.” He turned and stormed out.
    “Dam mit!” Casey smacked the table with his palm. Tears burned his eyes. He’d known he was going to screw it all up. He’d never meant to make Hunter feel as if he wasn’t good enough. After all, he knew exactly how that felt. And he’d seen the pain on Hunter’s face when he’d confessed how people had treated him in high school. All Casey had wanted to do was help Hunter sound as smart as Casey knew he was; to take Hunter to the reunion and let them both get some vindication for all of the shit they’d put up with growing up. And now he’d made a mess of everything.
     
     
     
     
    _________ o _________
     
    CHAPTER 21
    C asey saw a whole new side of Hunter he didn’t like.  Being mad was one thing, but giving the silent treatment for days hurt. The quiet was deafening. He tried to start up conversation as they worked around the farm, but Hunter never responded. Casey didn’t know how to deal with this. McDermott had never been one to suffer in silence. He was the type who’d make catty, biting remarks, digging at the issue until Casey finally caved and begged for forgiveness. Then they’d go to bed, Casey doing everything he could to show McDermott just how sorry he was.
    That wasn’t going to work with Hunter. And not just the sex part. Casey had a feeling that Hunter wasn’t the kind of guy who wanted begging. The problem was, Casey didn’t know what would work. He’d tried making Hunter’s favorite foods. Spaghetti. Hamburgers. Hunter had