Following the Rules

Chapter 27

I'd kissed girls before--whether it was because I was part of a threesome or back when I was exploring my sexuality. Based off of previous experiences, it's safe to say I'm not attracted to females.

Did I want to kiss my best friend?

No.

Would I?

Yes.

Because as much as I didn't want to kiss her--mostly due to the fact that I knew it would haunt me when I closed my eyes--at least it was me and not one of those other sleaze bags. Besides, it was just a dare. I'd been dared to do far worse.

Sawyer and all of his friends watched silently as I bent over my seated best friend and pressed my lips against hers. She sat statue still at first, then slowly, her mouth began to work with mine. I slipped my tongue inside briefly, then pulled away, my nose scrunching when I tasted her bubblegum chapstick on my lips.

Fletcher whistled and started to clap.

I wasn't a fan of bubblegum. Or PDA.

I met Sawyer's gaze briefly as I made my way back to the couch. He stared ahead, like he was watching a ghost. Corine, who I'd come to know as Orion's adopted sister, untied Toni's blindfold. She smirked at her, kissing her cheek.

"You kiss like a doll, sweetheart."

Everyone started laughing when Toni's entire face flushed red. "It was you?"

Corine chuckled, but shook her head. She practically skipped back to the cushion on the floor beside the couch, her dark eyes flashing dangerously when they met mine.

"Oops."

It was the most unsympathetic, unapologetic, oops, that I had ever heard. On top of that, it was coming from Sawyer's ex. Dread swirled in my stomach as I turned back to look at the bitch and my best friend.

Toni was standing there, her arms spread wide. She stared defeated, at the beer dripping from her white dressed. Stained and soaked, she pulled at the material sticking to her skin.

Fletcher whistled in appreciation. "Damn girl, you've got a hot bod."

Toni's face flamed red upon realizing she was in a room full of people and her dress was now see-through.

"Oh..oh no."

I reached across the couch, quickly swatting the back of Sawyer's head when he just sat there like a dumbass. "Give her your fucking shirt."

He rushed to follow the order, quickly removing his hoodie to offer it to her. She took it with a grateful smile, turning her back to everyone as she slipped it on. Neither of them said anything when she turned back around, still dripping went, eyes on the verge of tears.

That bitch just made it to the top of my karma's--a--bitch--list.

"We should get going, it's late and we have plans tomorrow," I said hooking one arm with Sawyer's and the other with Toni's.

Hanna reached out to place a hand on Toni's shoulder, smiling sympathetically. "I'm sorry for tonight Toni, I swear it's not always like this."

"It was an accident." Penelope said. She blinked innocently up at us.

Not here. Too many witness. I reminded myself. Penelope would get what was coming to her, just not tonight. As much as I wanted to lunge at the fucking cunt, rip her hair out until she was bald and decorate her face in blue and purple bruises, I had to refrain.

Toni waited until we were at the top of the stairs to speak."I'm proud of you Kay, you didn't go all karate on her."

"When I'm done with her, I want her to feel more than just bruises." I said darkly. "That bitch will have scars so fucking deep, mentally and emotionally, she'll be screwed up for life."

"I don't--"

I held a hand up to silence her, I didn't want to hear it. Her sympathy and taking the high road could shove it. No one fucks with my best friend and gets off easy.

The drive back to the house was silent aside from the low music coming from the radio. It wasn't until Sawyer parked and I moved to open the door that Toni twisted around to look at me. "Are you staying the night?"

She didn't say it--but there was a hopeful look in her eyes. I knew she still wanted me to stay until I could afford my own place again. She hated the idea of me staying in my car. Part of me knew that it was the logical route to take. She was my best friend. Her place had felt more like home than anywhere else ever had. Yet I couldn't shake how uncomfortable asking for help made me.

"Yeah."

She smiled, nodded and exited the car. "I'm going to clean up and get ready for bed. I have classes early in the morning."

"Sucks to be you." I said, dropping my jeans the moment we were inside.

Sawyer looked away the instant he noticed what I was doing. "Umm.."

"Kaylee!" Toni said, her voice chastising. A little frown formed between her eyebrows. She wasn't really mad, she was just in mom mode. Hands on her hips, she faced me scolding. "You can't just lose your pants anytime you want to anymore."

I chuckled, throwing myself onto the couch. "Less than an hour ago you guilt tripped me into giving your boyfriend a fucking hickey. I'm entitled to this."

She sighed, shook her head, and left for her room to take a shower.

Normally I would revel in eye candies discomfort, but now was not a good time. Like I said, less than an hour ago I'd given him a hickey. So I threw a throw blanket over my legs and reached for the remote. Right now, I just wanted things to be normal between us. "Want to watch a movie?"

He cleared his throat, eyes darting around the room, never meeting mine. "I--um.. Tired. Yeah, I'm tired."

"Goodnight then.." I said to his retreating back.

Fucking weird.