Page 152 of My Rules

I begin to sweat, and I type my reply.

I don’t think I’m ready.

I wait for the answer.

Well, do you like him?

I think I do.

Then stop overthinking it.

You will never feel ready.

Only one way to get over this.

I begin to pace in the kitchen as I wait for the kettle to boil. The thing is, I know they’re right; I’ve always got an excuse ... but this one means more.

Another text comes in.

Nobody is more ready than you.

Rip the band aid off and do it.

They’re right. I know they’re right.

I begin to slowly make our cups of tea, and as I peer into the living room, I see Blake is also on his phone messaging someone. I go back into the kitchen and keep messaging the girls.

Okay give me some pointers, and quick.

Blake

My eyes roam up to the kitchen to check that the coast is clear, and I text my group chat with Henley and Antony.

I’m at a girls house and she told me she wants to take it slow.

Define slow.

Antony is the first to reply.

Slow in my mind means making out with no sex.

Henley chimes in with his answer.

Slow for me means that she gets to come and you don’t.

I screw up my face in question, and I text back.

What do you mean she gets to come and I don’t?

So what ... you go to third base with her and do everything except pull your cock out?

A laughing emoji comes in from Antony, and I can see the dots as Henley writes.

Basically . . . yes.

I text back.

So you think she wants to go to third base?