Page 59 of Rewrite the Rules

Quinn’s angst is the result of Mani withdrawals. Actually, those two were always at each other’s throats regardless of location. I don’t have much experience with parent dynamics but I’d liken it to a mom and dad fighting.

Quinn took Mani’s move the hardest. She’s spent the last year and a half begging Mani to come home. I wouldn’t be surprised if she has an elaborate kidnapping plan mapped out for our annual girls’ trip at the lodge this year. Quinn values our friendships over everything—family stays close. We all feel that way, but I think somehow Quinn bears the burden of keeping us together.

“Mani, I’d rather bathe in chum and swim through shark-infested waters than move to L.A.,” Quinn seethes.

“You’re so dramatic. It’s not that bad. Nono liked it,” Mani justifies.

Noa cringes and holds her hand out flat, teetering her thumb and pinky in the universal ‘sorta’symbol.

“Oh please, there’s only one reason Noa liked L.A.,” Quinn blurts. She mouths ‘sorry’ to Noa. We’re still not supposed to talk about her summer with Hollywood heartthrob, Chase Ford. She claims silence is the best way for us to help her move on and forget.

“It’s fine. Can we get back to Addie, please? So, explain this to us again. You’re going to have casual sex with your boss?” Noa asks, eagerly redirecting the conversation.

“That’s the plan,” I answer.

“With no strings attached?”

“Exactly.”

“But you won’t be screwing around with other people?” Reese asks.

“Right.”

“And he still doesn’t know you’re a virgin?” Noa picks back up.

“Is it really that big of a deal?”

“Yes!” Quinn barks.Oh, here we go. I knew I pissed off mama bear.“Addie, I’m not trying to be a killjoy, but this isn’t some random guy. I’ve been watching you pine after Joel for months now. And you want your first time to be with someone who doesn’t want a commitment? He is going to break your heart.”

“That’s what the rules are for,” I argue. “Look, guys, if I could replicate the feeling I get with Joel with some knight in shining armor who wanted to get down on one knee and make me an honest woman, I would. But it is what it is. All I know is when I’m with Joel, I know exactly what I want.”

Quinn leans back into the sofa and rubs her eyelids in distress. She grumbles something inaudible. Reese pats her knee. “Bear’s a big girl. She can handle herself.”Thank you, Reese’s Pieces!

“Nono?” I ask, like I always do. She’s usually my ally in matters of the heart.

“It’s dangerous, Addie. Like it or not, sex comes with feelings. But how you handle those feelings I guess is the real question.”I’m going to go ahead and take that as tentative support.

“Quinny? Are you going to hate me?” I ask.

Quinn contorts her face. Her eyes are gleaming with disapproval. “Adler Monroe Haley,” she says.Uh-oh.She just middle-named me.“It’s going to hurt like hell if you fall in love and Joel doesn’t fall in love with you. Do you understand that?”

“Yes, Quinn.”It’s reckless, I know.

“But it’s me. It’sus.” Quinn looks around and nods at each of my girls who are circled around me. “We’ll be here to help you pick up the pieces when this all goes straight to hell. Which it abso-fucking-lutely will by the way.”

“Put me on FaceTime,” Amani squeals through the speakerphone.

Noa props her phone up against a stack of books on my coffee table. I pounce on my friends and the couch creaks in protest under our combined weight. It may collapse.Worth it.Hugs are necessary right now.

My friends are always supportive, but this grace is something more. They all think this is crazy, each for different reasons, but they are allowing me to learn my own lesson.

If they fought me, it might be different. It’s too hard to lie to them and I refuse to be at odds with them over this. If it came down to a choice…well it wouldn’t be much of a choice.Bye, Mr. Lewis.

“Baby Bear?” I turn to see Mani screwing up her face on the little FaceTime thumbnail image. She’s dressed in something low cut and sparkly with her bright red hair covering her shoulders. She squints. Her view is an up-close of my ass, as I’m dog-piled half on top of Reese and Quinn.

“What?”

“Were you seriously just about to get it on with your boss before the girls walked in?”

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