The Rule Breaker

"Yes, I remember that party."

This time, I blush. "Oh god."

"At least it wasn't the first time I saw your boobs."

"Are you still shy about that?" I ask.

She motions a little. "Not all of us have spent our lifetime on the swim team."

True.

"But now that I have a roomie who, uh… is not at all shy." Her nose scrunches. "I had to talk to her about overnight guests."

"Really?"

"Yeah. She would start things when she thought I was asleep."

"But you weren't?"

"Or it would wake me up! She's loud."

I can't help but laugh.

"Not funny!"

"Kinda funny."

"Where's the karma? I never subjected anyone to making out my entire life and—"

"Now you do," I say.

"Okay. Now I do." She laughs. Motions to the lipstick on the desk. "Do you need help?"

"I've got it."

"Do you need makeup?"

"Not need makeup?"

"I'm pretty sure your artist never wore makeup."

True. But I can still look amazing. "Do you?"

"Okay." She stands. Fights a yawn. "God, I am tired."

"More tea first?"

"I don't think it's working. My last cup made me more tired."

"Aww, I'm the one who wore you out. Will Holden get jealous?"

"Probably." She takes two steps to the vanity. Pulls her desk chair over. Sits. "Make me beautiful."

"You're already gorgeous and you know it."

"Make me…"

"You want actual schoolgirl or schoolgirl in a porno?" I ask.

She laughs. "Not that."

"Holden would like it."

"Maybe."

I raise a brow.

She blushes. "I think he prefers me adorable."

"Good for both of you."

"Ollie said I should throw this out. Pick up something against type. A doctor. Or a cop. Or something."

My chest flushes. "A cop?"

"Yeah. He has an extra. But I think it's used." Her face scrunches. "There isn't enough laundry in the world."

I laugh like I'm equally disgusted by the thought of Oliver's used cop outfit. And not like I'm the one who wore it. And like I want to wear it again. And actually finish that particular roleplay.

"I never thought… oh my god, no. I can't go there."

Good. "Close your eyes."

She does.

I brush shadow over her lids.

"I just… never thought he'd want the, uh, other party to be the one punishing him," she says.

My head fills with mental images of Oliver handcuffed to his bed. Watching as I ride him.

My cheeks flush.

Thankfully, her eyes are closed.

"Speaking from experience?" I ask. "Do Flynns need to stay in control?"

"Oh my God, my dad too. Gross."

"I meant you."

"Oh. No. I like when he's in control."

"Go on." I move to the highlight color.

"I've said enough."

"He seems open-minded."

"Dad? Or Ollie? Never mind. I don't want to know." She makes that ugh, gross sound. It's normal. The same one she would have made six months ago.

Before I was fucking her brother.

She doesn't know.

Or suspect.

Does she?

"Holden?" That's totally what I meant the entire time. Totally.

"Would he want me to do some cop/criminal roleplay?"

"Would he?"

"Probably." She laughs. "He's pretty… up for anything. As you say."

"Would you?"

"Hmm… Maybe." Her cheeks flush. "It could be fun."

"Minx."

"Oh my god. Like you haven't."

"I plead the fifth."

"Really?" She opens her eyes. "Since when?"

"Since… recently."

"Luna Anushka Locke! You've been holding out on me."

"Maybe."

Her eyes fix on mine. "Who? When? Why haven't you told me?"

My chest swells. I want to tell her everything. Right now. To climb onto the bed, and find more chocolate, and trade gossip all night.

But I'm not ready for everything to change.

And when I tell her—

"It's new," I say. "I don't know. I want to keep him all to myself, you know? If I tell someone, that makes it real, and if it's real, it can disappear."

She nods. "And you two are already doing sexy role play?"

"A little."

"And…"

"And…?"

"Do I need to say your entire name again?"

"Please don't." Only my evil parents would name me Moon Grace Locke. What the fuck does that even mean? At least it's not actually Moon Grace. There are some small miracles.

My stomach twists. I miss them too.

Even though I'm mad.

Even though they're liars.

And now I'm…

Being an adult is hard.

"He's a gentleman. Very giving," I say.

"Luna Anushka Locke."

"Ugh."

"You call those details?" she asks.

"Now you really sound like Holden."

"You can't distract me with that."

"I just… I don't want to scare him. I really like him," I say.

"How will telling me scare him?"

That's a good point. "Putting the energy into the universe… He's just… he's so difficult and sometimes he's grumpy and bossy but when he smiles…"

"You do seem lighter."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Even with everything with your parents." Her voice softens. "I'm sorry about them."

"Thanks. They, uh… let's not discuss that."

"Uh, let's talk about Mystery Man. And why you haven't told me every detail!"

"Every detail?" I ask.

"Of course."

"Even about his assets?"

"Especially about his assets."

"Daisy Flynn, cockwhore. It's got a nice ring to it."

She laughs. "I hate you."

"I love you too."

She smiles. "I missed you. I'm going to miss you."

"Me too." I squeeze her.

She squeezes back. "Now. Details. As many as possible."

"Are you sure?"

She nods hell yes.

And even though I know she'd be mortified to hear my thoughts on her brother's sexual abilities, I share them anyway.