Forgotten Rules (Rules 4)

“I said no. I can’t be your friend.” I resume walking.

He holds me back. “Why not?”

“Because I caught feelings for you!”

His composure crumbles.

He tumbles a step back, his mouth falling open, but I don’t buy it. I don’t buy any of it. He must’ve known, if only a tiny part of him, that somewhere along the way, he’d make me laugh one time too many. That there’d be one inevitable moment where it’d become more for me.

He must’ve known.

I think even I always knew.

“I know you don’t feel the same, and that’s fine. It really is, Will. But I’m trying to get past it, so… I think it’s better if we stay away from each other from now on.”

Pain rips across his gaze like a shooting star. He chases it away, reducing it to a glimmer—God forbid he ever shows real emotions—and I’m left with the same, redundant question: Did I imagine it all?

“Now, if you’ll excuse me.” I swallow the pit in my throat, threading to Zoey and Morgan on the dance floor. I can feel the weight of Will’s gaze on my shoulders, his eyes stalking my every move.

Zoey shrieks at the sight of me, banding her arms around my neck for a swaying hug. She’s completely gone, one drop away from blackout. I deny Zoey the drink I ordered for her, and to my great surprise, she agrees, admitting to her excessive state. Fifteen minutes later, Morgan says she has to take a call from her mom and walks off. Sean pops up behind Zoey at around the same time, kissing her neck until she’s putty in his hands. I peel my eyes away, wincing. Maybe I’m just jealous. Maybe I wish it was me and a certain blond guy.

Or maybe Sean’s just a douche.

Will’s been watching me since I ended things between us—ironic considering there was nothing to end. Morgan must’ve told me he was staring at us five times in the past thirty minutes. I jump along to the music, hoping the deafening bass will numb my pain. Mute my broken heart.

Just until the song ends.

Then I realize Sean and Zoey are gone.

Probably off to bang in a bathroom stall.

“Excuse me?” Someone taps me on the shoulder.

I spin to see the guy who delivered our Chinese earlier.

“Aren’t you the cute girl I delivered to?” he asks.

I analyze him. He sure looks different dry. Cuter. I glance over his shoulder at Will. I doubt he can see the guy’s face from where he is, but that doesn’t stop him from staring holes into the back of his head.

“That would be me.” I nod. “What are you doing here?"

“Same thing you are.”

“Celebrating your best friend’s birthday?” I raise an eyebrow.

He laughs. “Fine. Different reason, then. My boys and I rented a house downtown. We’re going to keep the party going there after the bars close. Just looking for people to invite.”

“Any luck?”

“Nah. No luck so far, but I think maybe I’m getting there. So… interested?”

“I don’t know. You want to keep the party going when the party hasn’t even started here,” I point out.

He grins. “Shit. I guess you’re right. Want to dance?”

I juggle with the idea and decide one dance can’t hurt. Chinese food guy—what? I don’t know his name—offers me his hand and draws me flush to his chest. He’s charming, but something about his mannerisms reminds me of Will. The way he moves, expresses himself. Either they’re long-lost brothers or I’m going mad.

“Got any brothers?” I ask Chinese food, and he laughs at my rather unusual question.