Page 22 of Just Friends

Blondie kissing the side of his mouth is my undoing.

“I’m out of here,” I say. “I’ll Uber home.”

I can’t stop myself from looking at them again. Blondie’s arm is wrapped around his neck now.

“No, I’ll get Kara,” Margie says. “She’s the DD tonight, so she’s probably ready to dip anyway. No one likes their DD nights.”

I nod, tapping the side of my eyes to stop crying. Rex will probably take Blondie home tonight and screw her brains out. I shut my eyes when memories of the night hescrewedme push through my mind. Even though I’d sworn it wouldn’t change anything, I’ll never forget every way he touched me and how my body responded. I’d had other guys touch me, finger me, but no one has ever made me feel as good as Rex did.

It was like he knew me in every way.

In my perfect world, I’d be kissing his mouth. He’d be taking me back to his place. We’d spend the rest of the night naked in his bed.

Too bad my world isn’t perfect.

Margie takes my hand, and we walk outside.

“I told you I was taking you home, Carolina!” Rex yells behind me when we hit the sidewalk and walk toward Kara’s Honda Civic.

“I told you I’m riding with my friends,” I reply without looking back at him. I know him well enough to know he’s following me.

Margie whips us around, and Rex is only inches away, the streetlight shining over us.

“Look, Rex, she’s hanging out with her girlfriends tonight. We need to gossip about what a dumbass you’re being. I promise to take good care of her.”

“I know how to take care of her better than anyone,” he snaps, but he’s not looking at Margie. He’s looking at me.

Guilt creeps through my blood at the torture on his face. I want to pull away from Margie and let Rex take me home, but I have to stop depending on him. I can’t sit at home on Friday nights when he’s busy and sulk about it. We’re in college now, and our relationship has changed.

“Rex,” I say around a sigh. “I’m going straight back to the dorm.”

He shuts his eyes, defeat covering his features. “Text me when you get back then. I’ll be at your doorstep if I don’t hear back from you in an hour.”

“Uh, stalker much?” Kara cuts in behind us.

I didn’t even notice she’d stopped with us.

“Uh, best friend much?” Rex says, mocking her voice without even giving her a glance. He tips his head down and kisses my forehead. “I hope you had fun tonight, Lina babe. Text me next time you go out, but you’re not wearing that fucking dress, FYI.”

“Hater,” Margie sings out. “Don’t get mad at other guys for wanting something you’re too chicken to touch.”

He slams his mouth shut, fighting to control his smart-ass response. His palm falls at the base of my back as he walks us to Kara’s car, and he stands in place as we pull away.

Is he going back to the party?

To Blondie?

I clench my fingers in my lap, just thinking about it.

“We need to make a quick pit stop at the grocery store,” Margie demands from the front seat. “We need snacks on snacks on snacks.”

“I agree!” Kara says.

“I can definitely use some ice cream,” I add.

Kara drives us to the small convenience store on campus, and we get out, laughing.

“You’re on ice cream duty,” Margie instructs me. She points at Kara. “You’re potato chips.” She points at herself with her thumb. “And I’m on candy.”

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