Page 89 of Breaking the Rules
"You're going to be there."
"In the future. If you need help. If you're scared. If you're too drunk to drive. Whatever it is, call me."
"Forever?"
"Yeah."
"What about when you move out of Brendon's place?"
"Shit, that happens after forever. I forgot."
She tries to hide her smile but doesn't quite get there. "So you'd be cool if I wanted to go back to his place?"
Fuck no. But I have to convince her I am. I have to convince her I'm not interested.
I turn onto Ocean. This place is close, but it's not quite close enough to walk. Not in Emma's shoes.
"On the first date?" I ask.
"Oh my God. Slut-shaming much."
"Seems a little fast."
"Oh yeah, I bet you've never had sex on the first date."
"Never." My poker face cracks immediately. "I'm practically a virgin."
"Uh-huh." She turns to me with a wicked smile. "Plausible."
"You shouldn't stereotype like this."
"Oh?"
"Just 'cause a guy has tattoos…"
"You and Brendon weren't exactly quiet during your conversations."
"He was always quiet."
A laugh falls from her lips. "Okay, sure, he was quiet. But you? Not so much. You were bragging about a new conquest every other day."
Before I discovered just how much I enjoyed alcohol, sex was my preferred method of distraction. When I realized I could combine them—
I was a slut by anyone's definition.
"I'm just surprised you're off this whole 'why don't you commit to celibacy' thing." Emma sets her purse in her lap. Plays with the zipper. "Brendon and I don't really talk about sex. God knows I don't want to hear what he does to my best friend. But he does realize that I have sex."
"Do you?"
"How is that any of your business?"
It's not. But I still want to know. And not just because I'm responsible for her. "We're friends, aren't we?"
"Hmmm. Maybe. That's kinda stretching it."
"That hurts." It's supposed to be a joke, but it doesn't feel like one. I burned almost all the bridges I had. I'm lacking friends. And Emma—we have a connection. One that means a lot to me.
"Don't do that whole Dean feigned melodrama thing. I can only handle one person like that."
