Hostile(54)

Bree stands up, rolling her eyes and pulling at Rhett’s hands. “Let him go. I’m not that drunk or out of it, okay? It was just a stupid weak moment.”

“Weak moment?” Rhett turns to her. “What the hell?”

“I thought you’d want to come to Grayson’s party, so I told you to come. And then I ran into Josh.”

“With your tongue?”

She blushes and then giggles, clearly feeling whatever she had to drink. “I’m having fun, Rhetty. Okay? It wouldn’t be so bad for us all to loosen up. That’s what I decided. The baseball game, prom, a party. I’m just trying to experience it all before it’s over for me too. I mean, you moved out, and Fletch is going to college.” Her words hit me right in the gut, and they must punch Rhett too because he looks sick. “I’m just lonely.”

“Shit.” He releases Josh and turns to Bree. “I’m here, Bree. I’m not going anywhere.”

She sniffles, not laughing anymore, and I see the sadness in her eyes. I feel bad for the poor girl. A lot is changing. “Yes, you are. You moved out. You have a boyfriend.” She gestures to me, and Rhett and I both freeze.

“What?” Josh’s brow crinkles, and Bree’s eyes widen as she covers her mouth.

“Oh shit. No. Not that. Not a boyfriend. I didn’t mean that.” She looks panicked, and my heart nearly leaps out of my chest. Rhett looks like he’s going to puke.

“Boyfriend?” Josh’s glazed-over eyes meet mine. “You two?”

“Uh . . .” I’m still frozen.

“No.” Bree shakes her head, but then she clutches her stomach. “Oh god. I’m going to throw up.”

“Fuck,” Rhett groans and looks to me. “I’m so sorry. I . . .”

“Go.” I nod toward Bree. “Help her. Take her home. It’s okay.”

He looks like he wants to argue, but she makes another gagging noise, and he guides her away, looking back at me with remorse in his eyes. I wave him off and turn back to Josh.

“You’re fucking Rhett?”

I clear my throat, wondering if I can play this off like Bree made a drunken mistake. But I’m so damn tired of it all. I don’t want to play it off. “Yeah.”

He thinks it over and then laughs, slapping my back. “And here I thought I was stealing your girlfriend. Huh. Holy fuck.”

“Nope.” My lips make a popping noise as I wait for him to freak out or say something douchey.

“Huh.”

“Huh?”

He grins and then shrugs. “I mean, he doesn’t do it for me. But if you think he’s hot, cool.”

“That’s it?”

He looks hurt now, frowning. “You think I wouldn’t be okay with you fucking a dude?”

I shrug. “I don’t know. I’m pretty sure my dad wouldn’t be okay with it. He can’t find out.”

He flops down on the couch after grabbing a beer I hope was his and taking a swig. “Well, your dad is an asshole. Mine too. But I’m not. And I’m not going to tell anyone nor do I care who you fuck.”

Oddly enough, I believe him. I sit down next to him, wondering how I misjudged him. “Making out with Bree Moore?”

He chuckles. “Yeah, probably not the best idea when I was drunk off my ass already. I thought I was seeing things when she walked through the door.”

“She seemed pretty out of it.”

“I only saw her drink one beer. But we did do a couple of shots together too.”

“Rhett’s gonna kick your ass.” I kick my feet up on the table in front of the couch, and he looks genuinely worried.

“You think? I swear I didn’t force her. She kissed me, and I kissed her back.” He holds his hands up. “I swear, I even kept my hands around her waist. Bree’s a good girl. I like her.”

I actually believe him. “I think you’ll be fine. She’s a strong girl too. I don’t think she would have been here if she didn’t want to be. But I think she’s kind of upset now too.”

“Yeah, she’s cool.” His goofy grin doesn’t leave his face, and I shake my head before I stand up.

“Look, I’m going over to Rhett’s. Don’t let them burn down the house. Okay?”

“Yeah, go get you some. I’ll hold down the fort.” Though he looks like he’s about to pass out.

I laugh and leave, driving over to Rhett’s, but he isn’t home yet. He looked really worried, so there’s no way I’m leaving before I get a chance to talk to him.

Who knew my friends actually weren’t all that bad?





THIRTY-FIVE





What the hell is happening? Bree just fucking outed Grayson. He seemed calm about it. Well, at least not angry about it, although totally freaked-out. But still, it’s not okay. How could she do that?

And how could she show up at his place and get drunk? Bree doesn’t drink. This isn’t like her. She finishes puking in the bushes and leans against my car. “Oh my god.”

“You told Josh about me and Grayson. What the fuck, Bree?”

Her watery eyes meet mine, and she looks horrified. “I’m so sorry. Oh my god, Rhett. I’m so sorry. I don’t know why I said that. It slipped, and it was so stupid. I’m so sorry.”