"He was nearly murdered by his dad, wasn't he? He touched on it very briefly. That his dad was mentally ill." Hunter shook his head. "She's not quite okay. She was bullied by a group of awful kids at her school. Kids can be such cruel assholes when they're teenagers. She's going to school with her other friends now, and she was excited about that. Mentally and emotionally, she needs some more time. She sees Justin as a mentor or figurehead, that he fought what he has and still keeps going. That can always be a helpful thing for kids with psychological issues. Having the visual of other people facing the things they do, it can give them strength. But this is where I have the flipside of that. Another poor kid who killed herself. I think you're right, though. With this thing, Justin might push through and be okay with it."

He snickered and gave a little tug on her pyjama pants. "Not old, well-loved. And I'd be happy to get you out of them. In the name of stress relief and all that. Comfort sex? Is that a thing? I can't say I've ever experienced it, though. We have been talking. He's an interesting guy. Complex. So, what about you? Are you protective of his choice of lovers too?" he asked and gratefully accepted the drink she gave him.