Page 51 of Kiss Collector
Um... “But you were flirting with him.”
Now it’s Monica’s turn to get mad. “Excuse me, but I’m not even allowed to talk to him now? You didn’t exactly go for itwhile you were with him. And then you kissed skater boy right after. You can’t claim everyone.” I love when she goes into diva mode against other people but not so much against me.
“Guys,” Lin warns us.
I turn to face the wheel, tugging the seat belt strap harder than necessary. This is wrong. It’s all wrong.
“No fighting,” Kenzie whispers, followed by the crinkling of a bag and sounds of retching. I tense, feeling bad for her.
“We can’t take her home like that,” I say. “Her parents are going to kill her.”
“Her parents are at a work party, remember?” Lin says. “Rae will be there.” Kenzie’s older sister from college. I’m ashamed that I only faintly remember the conversation.
The minivan is quiet after that except for occasional dry heaving from Kenz. We take her home first, then Lin. That leaves me and Monica in awkward silence the rest of the way to her house. We both whisper our goodbyes and she gets out quickly. I know I should have said sorry, but of all the guys at the party, of all the guys Monica could get with a simple flick of her finger, why flirt with Dean?
I don’t want a guy to come between us. It’s my number-one rule, and I’m breaking it. But so is she.
I’m sad when I get home and crawl into bed. Even the reminder of Taro’s soft lips cannot soothe me. Everything feels like it’s starting to spiral out of control, and an evil voice in my head keeps telling me it’s only going to get worse.
Chapter Eighteen
Thursday Morning
It’s my first day working alone. I like the freedom Mrs. McOllie is giving me, but it’s hard to enjoy it when I still feel icky from last night. Usually the girls and I will text with random stuff from the second we wake up, but it’s been quiet today.
An hour into my shift I get a text from Kenzie.I’m so, so sorry, Zae. I’ve been sick all morning. I can’t stop crying. I’ve never been that drunk. I don’t even remember everything I said, but Lin told me some of it. I KNOW there’s no list. Monica said ur super pissed. What can I do to fix this?
My heart pinches, and her apology washes away some of the grime from my dark aura.I’m not mad at you. It’ll blow over. Let’s just forget about it. I was in a bad mood last night.
Hopefully my words will get back to Lin and Monica as well.
ILY, she texts.
ILY2.
Loud voices come at me from the mall hallway. Some guys are yelling and laughing, being rowdy. One of the voices sends a chill down my back. I look up, filled with dread as three guys pass, roughhousing. The biggest guy punches another in the arm, and looks up into the store to catch me staring. My stomach drops like lead.
Rube. Wylie’s friend who I’d hoped to never see again.
A disgusting cyclone builds inside me when he stops dead in his tracks. The two guys he’s with stop as well. I don’t know them, but they’re just as smug looking as Rube when they come into the store, touching things, flicking at the scarves and feathery earrings. I want to tell them to get out, but I hold my tongue and try to appear unaffected.
Rube takes his time getting to the counter; I have no doubt he knows how uncomfortable his presence is making me, and he’s savoring it. He smirks and leans down on the counter like he owns the place. His two friends walk up and flank him, still touching items on display. I hate how rigid I’ve gone. Behind them I hear another loud, rowdy group of guys passing.
“You really did a number on Wylie,” Rube says. “Cold.” His friends eye me with disdain.
“Oh,Idid a number onhim?” I ask. “Right.”
“Yeah, you did,” he says. “What chick is with a guy for almost a year and won’t even bang him? Won’t let him go out with his friends? Won’t let him doanything? A control freak, that’s who. But he’s having fun now.” His friends laugh.
My blood pressure is through the roof. I can’t even swallow the lump in my throat.
“Y’all need to go.”
His low laughter screamsMake me.
“What’s up, Rube?” comes a voice from behind them.
Rube and his two goons turn, and I’m startled by the sight of Joel Ruddick. He’s with Kwami and an older kid I don’t recognize. Immediate tension fills the store as the guys sort of face off, three on three. Joel and Kwami always seem so chill when I see them, but right now they look hard.
