Forgotten Rules (Rules 4)

buffet.

The line is so long and the bathroom so tiny, I decide to spare myself the claustrophobic attack and wait outside. Morgan manages to get in after ten minutes, and I recline against the wall, arms folded over my chest.

Then I hear him.

“Remind me why we’re here again?”

Will.

I crane my neck to catch a glimpse of him and Alex holding beers right around the corner. They haven’t seen me yet.

“Because Zoey got me a hot date, and I’m not missing it.” Alex shrugs. “I’d tell you to go home, but… I know you won’t.”

“Want to bet?” Will drawls.

“Will you just drop the act already?”

“What act?”

Alex tips his bottle back for a sip, taking his sweet time.

“What, Alex?” Will grows restless. “What makes you so damn sure I won’t bolt?”

Alex snorts. “You’re not going to bolt because Kass is here.”

My pulse shoots up.

What I wouldn’t do to see the look on Will’s face right now. I only have a clear view of Alex from here.

“What are you talking about?” He feigns confusion.

“Save your breath. Phone died earlier, so I grabbed yours to call Blake. You’ve been texting her like crazy. What the hell is up with you two?”

“Remind me to put a password on that shit later.” Will sighs, backed into a corner.

“I’m serious, man. Are you… getting down and dirty with Kendrick’s sis?” Alex presses. “Because I’m not covering for you like I did with Blake. I can barely live with myself as is.”

“No, of course not. We’re just friends.”

“Look, you fuck whoever you want, but if you don’t tell Kendrick, I wi—”

“I told you we’re fucking friends,” Will snaps, his temper slipping away, but Alex doesn’t buy it for a second. “I mean it. Okay, yeah, we’ve been talking. We have shit in common. I feel like she understands me, but she’s like a sister to me.”

Instant gag reflex.

A tsunami of emotions sweeps me away. Rage, disgust, pain. They infiltrate my lungs, destroy every ounce of hope in my system. A sister? He’s going to play the sister card when he practically fingered me?

With awful timing, Morgan comes out of the bathroom.

“Kass!” She waves at me.

The sound of my name is enough to capture the boys’ attention. They whip their heads back, noticing me standing there, eyes locked on them.

Eyes locked on him.

I can confidently say I’ve never seen Will look so pale.

Swallowing the pain crawling up my throat, I don’t say a word, grab Morgan’s wrist, and drag her away.