Page 14 of Breaking the Rules
She grabs a chocolate bar from the table, unwraps it, breaks off a square. "I'm going to say thanks for dinner, then we're even. You stop spying. I stop spying."
It's a smart offer.
She's a sharp kid, trying to blackmail me into backing off.
But it's obvious she's bluffing.
"And if I report every detail?" I move down the stairs. Take a seat on the couch next to her.
She turns to me with a glare. "You won't."
I shrugwon't I?But it's not nearly as casual and aloof as it should be. I no longer know how to pull off casual and aloof.
"He warned me not to fuck with you."
"Oh?" This time, I'm better at playing cool. I keep my voice disaffected. I lean back on the couch, shrug my shoulders, spread my legs.
"Yeah. But he told you to keep an eye on me."
"And?"
"Don't you find that strange?"
No. But I can't exactly explain the why to her.
"He even told me not to fuck you."
My balls tighten. That sounds too good on her lips. It's putting too many ideas in my head.
"I didn't float the idea or anything. But he had to add it." She breaks her square of chocolate in half and sets a piece on her tongue. "Here's my question."
"Yeah?"
"Is that for me or you?"
My shrug is stiff. Awkward. I can do babysitter. I can do watchful older brother. I can't do honest conversations.
"Supposedly, you're not in the headspace for casual sex."
"I'm not."
"Because?"
Because I haven't fucked someone sober since I was her age. "Why are you here?"
"Trouble with management. No big deal." There's something in her voice.
It's a lie.
But I'm not pushing it.
I can't afford her pushing back.
"What about you?" she asks.
"Needed a place to crash."
"Your old one?"
