Page 106 of Unwritten Rules

“You should also clean up your hands and face. Probably before you see anyone else.”

His face softened further, and he got far too close to me. His eyes were still wild enough and his jaw muscles flickering with his thoughts. A hand came up to my face while he was still leaning over me, arm over my head. “I should.”

My eyes flicked down before I could look at his mouth. “Yeah, you should.”

“Mhm,” his lips brushed mine.

I obliged his mouth with mine, tasting the copper flavor of his blood on my tongue.What am I doing?

“Uh, guys?” Kelly’s voice made Brent stiffen and turn to face her. “What thehellhappened to your face?”

?Chapter 27

Fallon

“So...what happened?” Kelly shut the door to her car.

We decided to go to the festival after all. I wanted to go and have fun despite the chaos swirling around. Dodging Alexander would be a challenge, though.

I bit my lip and played with my hands. “A lot happened.”

“Clearly,” she scoffed, “I see you getting dragged away by Garrett, and then come find you kissing Brent with a bunch of dudes in the background stomping each other out.”

Clicking the lock button on her key fob, we went to stand in line at the entrance booth for the festival.

“Things are a bit weird,” I admitted as the employee put on my wristband.

“At least he’s hot, right?” She chuckled.

I rolled my eyes and grasped her hand, swinging our arms as we walked through the gate.

The festival was beautiful. Cold air wrapped around me with the smell of smoke, cinnamon, and wood intermingling, making Halloween feel even closer. Traditional fall festival booths were scattered around, a corn maze boasted a few acres of confusion, and there were plenty of snacks to try.

“Step right up!” a voice called from a game booth. Rows of toys hung from the top, tempting everyone to try their luck at a rigged game. A guy tossed ring after ring with a girl at his side and a group of people around him, hoping for him to land the perfect shot. They cheered as he won a large teddy bear, handing it over to the ecstatic girl.

Other groups crowded around as some worked with determination in their brows with the miniature saws on pumpkin carving, working on the best designs to take home with them. Nearby, a squealing group of people gathered around barrels filled with water–apple bobbing. Each had someone bent over the edge, desperately trying to catch an apple with their teeth.

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