Page 47 of The Pinkie Pact

"Wait." Kieran put out a hand. "We still need to discuss what happened the other night."

She flung herself back on the couch. "Oh, right."

"Right," he said back, eyes narrowing in on her. "So why'd you do it anyway?"

How totally awkward. I tried not to wiggle my knee because I knew the real answer and wondered how on earth she'd handle it.

She chewed on her lower lip. "Um, hmm."

"Hmm, yes?" he asked.

"Um, well, can I just say I had my reasons for doing it and I'll tell you sometime in the future when it's the right time?"

I could tell that answer surprised him, and he clearly didn't know what to say or do. "I have no idea how to respond to that."

The couch moved as she squirmed. "I know. It's weird. But it's the truth. And I know it was wrong, and I should never have done it, no matter what."

Kieran seemed to recover with that apology. "That's right. Never. I mean, if I wanted to... you could be in serious trouble. That's considered infliction of bodily harm."

At those words, the color drained from Kara's face.

"Imagine if the tables were reversed and a guy drugs a girl..." Kieran continued. "You know how serious it is. We've talked about all that. I know you protect each other and watch your drinks and everything."

Barely nodding, Kara glanced down at the coffee table, clearly upset.

"Of course, I'm not going to do anything," Kieran said. "You know that. But the moral of the story is you don't drug people to get your way."

"I know. And I'm sorry," she whispered, still downcast, her eyes filling with tears.

Kieran's face softened. "I know. It's okay."

She finally looked up at him, and I glimpsed the big brother in him, feeling terrible because she was fighting the tears.

"Oh, God, don't cry on me, K."

Reaching over, I pulled her to me. "Let it out, boo."

Boys and girls had very different ideas when it came to tears. You needed to get those suckers out to feel better, not stuff them down like most guys did.

With my arm around her, squeezing her, she cried and sniffled, my eyes going back and forth between her and Kieran's uncomfortable face. As I stroked her hair, she buried her head in my shoulder, and I tried not to think of the snot she was wiping on me.

After several more minutes passed, the sniffling stopped, and she glanced up at me. "Sorry about your shirt. You might want to wash that."

"I'm thinking so," I said, laughing. "Feel better?"

"Loads." Her face was red from the crying, making her smile appear even brighter. "And now, I'm ready for that shower."

"Me next. We are disgusting."

The sweat and grime from last night were still on me, and I couldn't wait to wash it all away.

"Yeah. You guysarekind of ripe," Kieran said, a teasing light in his eyes.

Standing up, Kara shoved him in the shoulder as she walked past. I supposed that was their version of a hug. Once she disappeared into the bathroom, Kieran clasped his hands together, leaned forward in his chair, and focused all of his attention on me.

"And now, it's our turn."

An Apology

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