Page 115 of The Kissing Booth
‘Why?’
‘Well, for starters, he’s been, quote, “God knows where doing God knows what this past week,” and he’s – again I quote – “going to get kicked out of college before he’s even started if he keeps acting as stupid and reckless as this”.’
I sighed, and ran a hand through my hair. Lee added, ‘It’ll blow over. But I’d rather not be around.’
‘How was the after-party?’
‘You missed some serious shit,’ he told me gravely, then cracked another huge smile. ‘It was freaking hilarious. Warren got wasted and was doing some major karaoke, complete with dancing and telling everyone he loved them. Funniest thingever. No fights or anything though.’
‘That’s because there was no Noah,’ I said.
He laughed. ‘True, true...’ He cleared his throat. ‘Um, I’d ask how your night went and tease you to “tell me every single detail,girlfriend”’ – he put on a falsetto voice and pretended to flip his hair – ‘but I don’t really want to know all about you doing the nasty with my brother.’
I smiled. ‘I didn’t think you’d want to know, to be honest. But on that note, my chum, did you and Rachel...?’
‘No, we did not,’ he said, rather proudly, sticking his chin out.
‘Really? I thought you guys would’ve by now.’
‘So did I...’ He shrugged. ‘But she said she wasn’t ready, so, I don’t know, we’ll just wait till she is.’
‘Aw!’ I cooed. I tweaked his nose. ‘You’re whipped, my friend.’
Lee didn’t even argue. He just rolled his eyes at me. And he blushed under all his freckles. I giggled, but not in a mean way.
‘Does Rachel know how whipped you are?’
‘Well, uh...’
‘Oh my God! You said it, didn’t you? You totally did!You said you loved her!When did you say it? Was it when you were slow dancing? Were you under the stars at the after-party?’
Lee laughed, putting his hands firmly on my shoulders. ‘Calm down, Miss Romantic. If you give me the chance, I’ll tell you how it happened.’ I mimed zipping my lips shut. ‘When we were slow dancing, I just kind of blurted it out really quietly. She didn’t hear and said, “What?” so I had to say it louder, but she still didn’t get it, so I had to say it really loud, and then a few people looked over and she started blushing like crazy...’ He smiled and laughed. ‘It was really cute actually, ’cause then she said it back with this bright red blush – honestly, she was like a beetroot, and—’
I smacked his arm. ‘That’s so mean!’
‘It’s not mean, it was cute, Isaidit was cute! And stop interrupting! Anyway. She said it back, looking like a reallycutebeetroot,’ he said pointedly, ‘and I said, “What? I can’t hear you,” so she had to say it really loud too.’
I smiled. ‘Aw, thatiscute.’
‘You’re rubbing off on me,’ he said, pushing my shoulder. ‘I’m turning all mushy, hanging around with you all these years.’
‘Did you kiss her then? After you guys said it?’
‘Duh.’
‘Aw...’
‘Are you going to stand here gushing and cooing all day or are we going to watch someJudge Judy? After you take a shower, of course. Your mascara is all smudged.’ He poked me under the eyes and then all but skipped past me into the house.
All I could do was laugh and shake my head as Lee made himself at home talking to Brad and my dad while I headed upstairs to clean up and change.
There was something nagging at my mind though: my stupid little brother teasing me about – about being in... in love with Noah...
I couldn’t be.
I mean, I knew at the start it wasn’t... well, it wasn’t anything serious until last night, officially. And even before last night, I couldn’t be... I wasn’t...
Was I?
