Slow Play (The Rules #3)(36)

My cheeks go hot at the word vibrator. I mean—I own one. Received it as a joke birthday gift two years ago from one of my high school friends and promptly threw it in a box where it remained until I moved in here a few months ago. I found it when I was unpacking, took it out of the package, put some batteries in it and sent myself straight into orgasm land the Sunday before school started.

Talk about relieving the tension. I might’ve used it a few times since then too.

“Well, I guess I can’t go since I already have plans,” I say.

“Screw that.” Kelli stands and cups her hand around her mouth. “Steven!” she shouts. “Get in here!”

“What are you doing?” I hiss whisper at her when she sits.

“Watch and learn,” she says with a pleased smile.

Steven practically runs into the dining room, coming to a skidding stop right beside my chair. “What’s up?” he says, trying to sound cool.

I’m amazed at how fast he did her bidding. She yells and he comes running.

Hmmm.

“Listen, I know you and Alex have a date on Friday night and I think that’s fabulous. You two make the cutest couple.” He blushes. “But…I really want Alex to come to a party with me on Friday night.”

“Oh. Uh, well…” He sounds so sad. I’m about to say something in his defense and tell her to knock it off, but Kelli sits up straighter, giving me a look before she continues.

“Trust me, you’ll eventually benefit from this party we’re going to attend,” Kelli says mysteriously. “And I’m sure you two could get together Saturday night, right?”

“Is that okay with you, Alex?” Steven asks.

I glance up at him and smile. I like that he asks me first. He doesn’t just assume or take what he wants. “I work Saturday afternoon but I’m off at five.”

He nods. “That works. I’m cool with it.” He turns to look at Kelli. “She’s all yours on Friday, Kel.”

She beams. “Thanks Steven. You’re a doll.”

He blushes and nods some more before he heads back to the living room.

“Maybe I didn’t want to go to your sexy party,” I tell her the moment Steven’s gone.

Kelli laughs. “You sound like Stewie from Family Guy. He was always throwing sexy parties. And please, you so want to go.”

“No, I really don’t,” I stress. I’m sure it’s at Jade’s house. Which is really Shep’s house. Which is also Tristan’s house.

Um, yeah. No way.

“Stop being such a prude. It’ll be fun.”

“And what’s up with you calling Steven a doll?”

“He’s like a cute little doll with those big brown eyes always blinking behind his glasses. He’s adorable. I can see the appeal,” she explains as she resumes doing her homework.

I just stare at her. She thinks Steven is adorable? Just two minutes ago she thought he was a suffocating nerd. “How did you convince him so quick to agree anyway?” That had been pretty impressive.

“Jedi mind trick. That and my V-neck sweater always seem to do it if nothing else.”

My gaze drops to her chest, where her ample cleavage is on display. “You flashed him your boobs?”

“Not really. I just squeezed my arms together a little bit. Makes my tits pop nicely.”

“You are too much,” I say, shaking my head.

“You love it. And speaking of too much, have you talked to Tristan?”

My stomach dips just hearing his name. “No.” A pause. I mentally count to ten. “Have you?”

“He texted me last Friday night asking if I was going out but I said no. That was it.” She watches me. “He hasn’t texted you?”

“No.” I shake my head. The jerk. Why hasn’t he texted me? I don’t want him to but still. “I’m glad. I don’t need his drama.”

“What? His drama? He’s the most drama free guy out there. With Tristan, you know what you’re getting.”

“And what’s that exactly? Because he’s been sending me conflicting messages since I met him.”

Kelli frowns. “Conflicting messages? That doesn’t sound like him. He was chasing after you hard. I’m assuming you two never did the deed.”

My cheeks warm. “Of course not. I’m not into one night stands.”

“I’ve heard he’s worth it.”

“You kissed him.” I pause, a little squicked out by that. “How was it?”

Kelli smirks. “You tell me.”

“I haven’t kissed him,” I lie. I don’t like lying but I really don’t want to compare notes on the taste of Tristan’s lips with Kelli.

In fact, knowing that she kissed him drives a white-hot blade of jealousy into my stomach, which is totally ridiculous.

“Really? Well, that’s a shame. Though honestly, I don’t remember much about our kiss. I was drunk, it was awkward, the end.” She waves a hand, dismissing the conversation. “Maybe he’s moved on.”

“From me?” I ask.

She nods, her gaze full of worry.

“I’d be okay with that.” I’m lying again. I don’t mind that he’s kept his distance. Well, a tiny part of me would like to see him but the bigger, louder part of me is saying I should stay away. So if he stays away instead, that makes it easier, right?