Page 50 of Unspoken Rules

“Honestly glad I don’t have that responsibility,” I admit.

“Same.”

The crowd outside grows as more people come to watch and more girls join. Eventually, some take all their clothes off, which is when Tomas and I make our way inside. We linger for a bit, chatting and having a few drinks and shots. At some point, a conga line starts with Mark in front and all the topless girls behind him.

“And that is my queue to go home,” I say, getting off the couch.

Tomas gets up too. “You need a ride?”

“Uh,” I scratch the back of my neck, wondering if it’s a good idea. I can’t tell what Tomas is expecting from me. If it’s just friendship or he’s hoping for more. It’s just a ride, though, and that’s pretty innocent. “Sure.”

We walk together outside, and Tomas leads the way to his car.

“Nice Benz,” I say, glancing at the shiny red Mercedes he stops in front of. “Job pays well, huh?”

He smirks. “My dad works at the dealership.”

We get into the car, and I tell him the address.

He frowns. “Isn’t that where Cole Harper lives?”

“Yeah, Chris’s dad. I’m staying with them. Why?”

“No reason,” he mutters.

Okay, that’s weird. There was definitely a reason he asked. The way he said Cole’s name was like it tasted bad. Also, why does he know the house as Cole’s and not Chris’s?

“Is it something with Chris?” I ask.

He shakes his head but says nothing.

Guess I’m letting that go. I don’t know Tomas well enough to get into it with him about my best friend or my best friend’s dad.

We pull up to the house, and he goes into the driveway, stopping behind Cole’s truck. The lights flickering inside tells me he’s downstairs watching TV. I wonder if he’s up, waiting to make sure Chris gets home okay.

“Thanks for the ride,” I say.

“No problem.”

I wait a beat to see if Tomas is going to say something else. His entire demeanor changed the moment he found out where I was staying. Maybe he hates Cole. Well, that’s fine. Cole has always had my back, so I’ll always have his. And that’s that. Tomas can fuck right off if he has an issue with either of the Harpers.

“Good night,” I say, getting out of the car. I stand up and have to steady myself. Whatever alcohol I drank before leaving must’ve settled in on the ride. I smile to myself as I walk to the front door, the headlights on the car reflecting off the house as Tomas backs out and turns down the street.

I stumble into the house, laughing to myself. Cole looks up from the couch, smirking.

“How was the party?”

“A straight man’s dream come true,” I say with false excitement.

He chuckles. “And that means what, exactly?”

I plop down on the couch beside him, resting my head back.

“Wet t-shirt contest.” I shiver dramatically.

He laughs harder. “Come on. Boobs aren’t that bad.”

“I don’t get the hype.”

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