Page 65 of Never Kiss and Tell

It hurts, but it’s my own fault. I practically begged him to take me to his bed last night, something I keep reminding myself of all day. Each time, I get a sick feeling of embarrassment, like everyone knows. Like they’re laughing at my rejection.

I haven’t heard anything from Andi yet, either. That could also be a bad thing. If Tom told her, then I’m not sure Iwillhear from her until she’s telling me to pack my bags and hitchhike back to California.

God, Bailey, when will you learn to stay away from these men?

“Why the long face,cheré?” Lionel askswhen I slide up to the window to wait on a tray of food for one of my tables.

“Just in a bad mood, I guess,” I shrug. Lionel peeks over my shoulder at something, then back at me with a smirk.

“Trouble in paradise?”

I cringe and heat rises to my face. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Lionel eyes me, unamused, and puts both his hands on the window opposite me. “Now you have amnesia? I saw that little thing outside the party yesterday.And,it’s not polite to lie about that hickey on your neck, which, might I add, seems to have a twin now.”

If I could melt into a puddle and slip through the floor, I would. Am I really that obvious?

“It wasn’t what it looked like.”

He rolls his eyes. “When are you going to stop lying to me and tell me the truth?”

He’s right. If he saw what I think he did, then I’m just making an ass out of myself by trying to convince him otherwise.

“Look. Some stuff happened and now we aren’t speaking. I feel really guilty about it.”

My eyes burn and, to my horror, a tear forms in the corner. God, why am I so emotional?

“Aww,cheré,” Lionel sighs. “Don’t cry on me.” He sits a plate under the warmer. “You’re two consenting adults. There’s no written law that you can’t touch your best friend’s brother’s dick.”

“Lionel, keep your voice down,” I chastise, but he just chuckles.

“Andi ain’t going to be mad. She’s been trying to get that boy to find a nice girl for years.”

I shake my head. “No. I’m not doing anything else.”

Lionel purses his lips. “Okay, and I’m not going to cook French fries again for the rest of my life.”

“He’s an asshole,” I murmur, loading my plates onto a tray.

“He’s probably thinking the same thing you are. He’s probably feeling guilty because you’re his little sister’s friend.”

I guess he could be right, but I also know Charlie isn’t the emotional type. I’m sure a teaspoon has more feelings than he does on a daily basis.

Fuck, that was mean. I really need to get a hold of my temper today.

“That’s not good,” Lionel says, the humor in his voice dissipating. I follow his gaze and see a new table full of girls being set in my section.

“What’s wrong?” I ask, but Charlie’s gaze is on them, too, and this time, he looks pissed. He calls the hostess over and tells her something, but she shakes her head.

Then, I recognize one of the girls.

Fucking Priscilla.

Shit. I don’t know who I pissed off in the universe, but they’re really punishing me today.

“It’s okay,” I say, squaring my shoulders. “I can handle it.”

“Girl,” Lionel says. “I hope you can find a little bit of sunshine, because those girls are going to put you through it.”

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