Page 25 of Forgotten Rules (Rules 4)

“He’s cute, sure, it’s just… I’m not really looking to date right now.” I press my forehead to the tinted glass.

“I get it. Can’t be easy. Having just broken up with Blake and all…”

My blood turns to ice.

How does he…

No one’s supposed to know.

He snickers at my surprise. “Oh, come on. Alex? Really? The guy can’t hold his tongue to save his life. It’s a miracle he didn’t tell Kendrick.”

“But… How long have you known?”

“Since the bonfire.”

I shrink in my seat.

We all went to this back-to-school bonfire near the beginning of senior year, aka the party where Blake and I first slept together. Losing your virginity in a tent in the woods? Not my best moment. Literally. I didn’t even have a good time. Blake lasted twenty-four seconds and fell asleep on top of me.

“Oh, God.” I bury my face between my hands. “Don’t tell me you heard us.”

“Nah, I went to take a piss in the middle of the night and saw Blake sneaking into your tent. I thought you were cheating, so I told Alex. Then he practically vomited the truth.”

“Oh.” I withdraw my hands from my reddened cheeks.

The tension in the air is somewhat thicker than it used to be. I can’t help scanning his features. The sharpness of his jaw, the slight crease on his forehead as he focuses on the road, his short, messy hair. Zoey’s voice echoes in my head. Hottie Blondie’s right there for the taking.

And all I can think is…

Is he?

“Where are we going anyway?”

He smiles and takes an unexpected left.

“To get you unhigh.”

Kassidy

“Damn, Martins, I didn’t know you had so many coins,” I say, climbing out of Will’s car and slamming the door. I don’t recognize this neighborhood. Or the fancy, half-stone, half-stucco modern house standing tall in front of me. But then again I’ve never been to Will’s place before.

I take in the property: its long asphalt driveway, perfectly mowed lawn, and two garages. What the heck do his parents do for a living?

“This way.” He motions.

I follow as he rounds the garages, stops near a high wooden gate, and pushes it open. The backyard is big and well furnished. It has a pool, a barbecue, a pool house, and a hot tub inside what seems to be a custom-built gazebo.

“What are we doing?” I question.

Will leads me straight to the hot tub, removes the cover without a word, and chews down on his bottom lip not to laugh, like even he knows what he’s about to say is bullshit.

“I heard hot tubs sober you up.”

He can’t be serious.

“I-I don’t even have a swimsuit.”

He cocks an eyebrow. “So? You have underwear on, don’t you?”