Rules of Play (The Script Club 2)

“Is this about Susie?”

Newton’s cheeks flushed pink. He bunched his fists at his sides and blurted, “What are your intentions, sir?”

I was too surprised to reply immediately. “I…I don’t have any intentions. Susie and I are just friends.”

Not really. We were work proximity associates.

Who’d kissed.

Once.

But it wasn’t a big deal. It was just a case of flirting gone wrong, thanks to the dreaded three drinks-on-an-empty-stomach combo. I turned into a kissing bandit. It was a thing.

My friends and I joked about it. Two drinks, perfect…anything more spelled trouble. I had no scientific evidence to support my condition, but it was a known fact that excess alcohol consumption had led me astray more than once. That night alone, I’d also made out with a hot guy in the bathroom before stumbling outside to call for a ride home.

Of course I wasn’t going to share that with Newton. He wasn’t my friend. And I hadn’t done anything wrong.

“Just friends? Are you in the habit of accosting your friends with unwanted amour?” Newton asked, pushing his thick glasses higher on the bridge of his nose.

“It was a mutual meeting of lips, and it happened once. I don’t know why you’re so angry. Unless you and Susie are…”

I couldn’t finish that sentence. It didn’t seem right. Susie was cool—translation…she was a regular geek like me. She was easygoing and likable, and Newton was…

“Not!” he intercepted with perfect timing. “She’s suddenly not interested in me because she thinks you’re enchanted with her.”

“It’s not like that at all. It didn’t mean anything.”

Newton clutched his collar and gasped in dismay. “You…cad! You dare to dishonor her with your casual conquering ways?”

Oh, boy.

“Newton…” I glanced at my watch and sighed theatrically. “I have to go while there’s still daylight. My truck has been making a strange sound, and I don’t want to be stranded on the side of the road in the dark.”

“That shouldn’t be a problem for a vampire,” he snapped.

“If I were an actual vampire, I wouldn’t be able to withstand the sun’s rays at this hour,” I retorted…like a real dumbass. I raked my fingers through my unruly hair and tried again. “Trust me, Newton. It was a fluke. A one-time-only thing.”

“For you, perhaps, but I think she pines for you.”

“That’s not true. And even if it was, I’m not available. I have a boyfriend,” I lied. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I—”

“A boyfriend? You’re gay?”

“Technically, bi, but I’m madly in love with a man, so…you have nothing to worry about from me.”

“Why did you kiss Susie if you have a boyfriend? Riddle me that.” He knit his brow and pointed at my chest.

I moved aside so I wouldn’t be tempted to smack his hand. “It’s new. But rest assured, I’m not a threat to your budding romance.”

“Prove it.”

I frowned. “How?”

“Help me secure a date with her,” he replied.

“You don’t need my help with that. Just ask her out.”

“It’s not that simple. She’s smitten with you. Perhaps you haven’t noticed the way she gazes upon you, but I have. I won’t stand a chance without your aid.”

Un-fucking-real. I gritted my teeth and worked up a speech to tell him to grow a pair and leave me out of his personal affairs of the heart. But I only had two months left in my internship, and I couldn’t afford to alienate Newton.

So I fixed him with a wary look and asked, “What do you want me to do?”

“I don’t know yet. Hopefully, a good idea will present itself. In the meantime, stand down, rogue.”

Newton pivoted on his heels like a soldier, flung the door open, and disappeared inside before I could open my mouth. Good thing too, because it was a no-win conversation.

I marched to my ancient Bronco, set my computer bag in the back seat, and rescued my cape when it fell to the floor. I folded it quickly and was about to push it into the side compartment but fastened it around my neck instead, then slid behind the wheel.

Some days called for a measure of preternatural strength. Vampire style.

Not to worry. I wasn’t a total freak. I wasn’t a vampire. And I definitely didn’t want to suck anyone’s blood. In fact, the sight of blood turned my stomach. But every once in a while, I just didn’t want to be me. Today was one of those days.

I’d learned a lot over the past eight months of my internship, but I’d also managed to screw up quite a bit too. I’d gotten too caught up in my research and had failed to recognize that there was a competitive aspect to my work. Sure, I was on a team, but this wasn’t college. I should never have let my guard down over happy-hour cocktails.

Whatever. I couldn’t fix anything tonight. I just wanted to go home. But thanks to Newton, I was going to sit in wicked rush hour traffic to get there.