Against the Rules (Even The Score #4)

77. king

CHAPTER 77

KING

NO, I'M GODDAMN CONFRONTING

There was only one thought circling my head like birds in old cartoons.

I’m in love .

We accidentally grabbed the half-empty bottle of purple lube from my dorm, and when Willow figured out which one she preferred with penetrative sex, we needed to pick up more.

We had sex four times, the drive was fucking beautiful, I had her hand in mine, and I was a stuffed animal, soft and plushy, unlike anything I’d been before.

Willow pulled her hand away to check the mirror.

I frowned. "Sudden motion distracts drivers."

"Hm?"

"When I’m driving and I’m comfortable with us holding hands, you switching that up is a hazard on the road."

"Uh-huh."

"It’s not funny. You not holding my hand could lead to a car accident."

"Couldn’t holding hands also be considered distracted driving?"

"So is putting my hand between your legs." I grinned. "Pick one, Angel. We’re holding hands or you’re cumming on mine."

With a laugh, she slipped her hand in mine, and I squeezed. I loved touching her. I couldn’t stop. Especially not after finally getting inside of her— fuck, was she tight. And warm. And perfect.

And mine .

In the pharmacy parking lot, she tried to open her door.

"Where are you going?"

She raised an eyebrow. "In with you?"

"Fuck no." I stretched across the seat. "My girlfriend’s not going to run errands. What are you thinking? That’s my job." I pressed my lips to her neck a dozen times, kissing her until she laughed. "You’re supposed to sit here and look gorgeous. I’ll get whatever you want. Give your boyfriend a kiss."

I captured her lips for a real one and she smiled. "You sure?"

"Damn sure. Give me—fifty more kisses?—"

She burst into laughter while I peppered her neck with kisses again, just for another taste of her. The happiness was overwhelming. I couldn’t get enough.

"There’s a surprise, that’s why I made you come with me," I murmured, nipping her shoulder.

"New position?"

"Before the hotel. I’ll be right back, okay?"

When I drew back, she had the sweetest smile on her perfect lips. "I love you."

"I love you ." Reluctantly, I exited the truck. I kept glancing back at her, at my hot girlfriend in the truck, who giggled every time I walked backwards and made it known I was drooling over her again.

Fuck it.

"You’re so hot!" I yelled and she covered her face, obviously laughing. "I should’ve said beautiful, right? That’s the better thing to—you’re fucking beautiful!"

The faster I grabbed the lube, the faster I could take her to the surprise. I stole one last look at her before I headed inside, humming Mean Motherfucker .

There was only one bottle of lube left.

"Hey." I held up my wallet to the lady behind the counter. "Do you have any more of the dark purple lube?"

"We have some in the back. How much were you looking for? Do you want condoms? We have those in the same area."

"No condoms. And, uh…I don’t know. Does lube expire? When does it expire?"

"Takes about a year."

"Can I get however much you can sell me?"

The pharmacist gave me an amused look and walked away.

I stretched back and grabbed a box of chocolates off the lower shelf, adding them to the counter. Willow didn’t have a show for tonight, she didn’t have to worry about it messing up her vocal cords. Fuck it, I grabbed a box of candy from the bottom. And a chocolate rose.

The doors opened again, Adam's voice breaking through.

"You pick out stuff for sweet popcorn, chocolate syrup, sprinkles, sea animal gummies, and I’ll make the savory popcorn, garlic powder and mustard seasoning."

"How are we sneaking in chocolate syrup?" Piper asked, amused.

"Creatively."

Kassie’s laugh echoed from the doors. "If you drop the sprinkles, they’ll ban you for life."

I remained motionless by the counter.

Oh…shit.

This wasn’t the closest pharmacy to campus, but it was the closest one to the movie theater downtown—I didn’t bother to check the group chat to see if they were up to anything tonight.

Without lube, sex was done for the night. None of the other pharmacies would be open nearby. But what if the guys saw me leave right now and walked me to my truck? Were they close to the doors? Would they see me?

"King?"

I stared straight ahead and didn’t move. That was definitely Adam behind me. I needed to say something. Clearing my throat, I shifted back.

"I thought you were going to your mom’s?"

"Quick visit," I lied, feeling shitty about it. "Heading back to Marrs."

"Nah, man, come with us. Kassie’s dragging us to some black-and-white horror movie." He grinned, holding up Piper’s favorite gummies. "Do you take bribes? I’ll buy your candy."

"Sir?" The cashier approached behind the counter again and dumped an armful of lube onto the counter. "We have fifteen bottles here but there’s extra stock in storage, I’ll be right back. If you change your mind on the condoms, I can grab those too."

My eyes slid to Adam, the cogs turning behind his eyes, thinking it over. But he didn’t say anything until she left.

"Why did you lie?"

I was silent.

Adam ran a hand through his hair. "Man, what the fuck?"

"I shouldn’t have lied. I’m sorry."

"Why’d you lie? "

"Adam—"

"There’s no new girl. You didn’t confront the SHU boyfriend, you’re fucking behind his back. Ruining his life."

I squeezed my eyes shut. "Jesus Christ ."

"No condoms?"

"Adam—"

"What the fuck, King?"

"You know what? She never had a boyfriend, and now she does, and he’s me. I’m having a good night—the best fucking night—and you’re going to meet her, I swear you will, but for right now, let it go. We don’t have to do this."

"Why would I believe you?"

"Why does it fucking matter? "

Adam scoffed. "You’re convincing yourself it’s okay because?—"

"Do you want to talk about the real issue here?" I demanded.

"What real issue?"

"Now that you’re with Piper, you know how you hurt people, and it’s eating you up on the inside. I get that you feel shitty but putting that on me won’t make you feel better!"

For long seconds, Adam stared. "No."

I gave a firm nod. It was the truth.

"You don’t know what you’re talking about?—"

"No, everyone’s too busy with their own shit to see it. What is it, Adam? Are you worried some guy is going to pull a Marrs Manwhore? Take Piper? What does that have to do with me? "

He tried to shake his head, but I’d never seen his face so red. "You’re deflecting."

"No, I’m goddamn confronting. There’s a difference. You’ve been on my ass since I met this girl, I’m asking you to back off."

"You’re just pissed you got your ass beat."

Ryan walked up the aisle, surprised to see me. "King?"

I thumbed towards him. "Ryan talks about how much shit he’s pulled you out of, what about me? Huh? I’m the one who kept him from finding out about the car that caught fire outside the frat house, the taxidermied squirrel you stole from the training center, I’m the reason he didn’t know about Marrs fucking Manwhore!"

Ryan swiveled over to look at Adam. "He better be fucking joking . "

"What the hell are we—King?" Kassie appeared too. "Holy shit, that’s so much lube."

"What’s going on?" Piper asked, coming through. "Why are we yelling?"

Adam started to explain, as if he knew enough about what was going on, but I butted in. It was the first time I ever really yelled at Adam. "Every prank I helped you cover up, every shit situation I got you out of, Adam, why can’t you leave it alone and be happy for me?!"