Page 20 of Best Friend Burden

This girl was roughly college-aged, if I had to guess, and may have even gotten into the club with a fake ID. She was too young for Kiefer, but I held back my jealous instincts. He was a friend. I wasn't about to cockblock him. Although, all things being equal, if somebody was going to fuck the happy back into him, I’d rather it be me.

“We're not dating,” I told her.

“So you wouldn't mind if I...?”

It was hard to imagine him being too receptive to the flirting of anyone in the mood he was in, but it probably would have been good for him.

“No,” I told her, which was at least a partial lie. I did mind, even if I wished I hadn’t. “Go for it. He's all yours.”

There was a bit of fire inside of me. Sure, I wanted him to be happy, but rationally, it was a bad idea to suggest I be the one to do it. Yeah, I was flirting pretty hard the other day in my underwear with him, but that was just me in one of my moods, under the influence of whatever hot masculine pheromones he emitted. Would I have gone to bed with him if he’d been receptive? 100% yes. But that could make things awkward between us and with my needing a place to stay, it was best if I didn't press it.

Or at least that’s what my brain was telling me. My body wasn’t so sure.

The three of us left the bathroom together and little Miss Sorority didn't waste any time. She shuffled her way over to Kiefer, dancing along with the music. With her back to him, I saw her pop something into her mouth and then push her back against his in the process of dancing.

Kiefer turned around, and she was smiling at him. He just rolled his eyes and stepped away. The girl must have thought he was playing hard to get because she pulled the same maneuver again, this time saying, “Hi,” and waving in a cutesy sort of way. “I'm Tar, want to do a shot?”

This girl was pretty. Very pretty in an obvious, traditional sort of way. Bleach blonde hair and big lashes. It would have been judgmental for me to assume she had a freshly inked tattoo on her lower back, but if somebody offered, I'd bet money that she did. And after winning that bet, I would have gone double or nothing that it was of a butterfly.

And, from her persistence, I could only imagine that she wasn't very used to rejection.

Kiefer gave what looked like a half-assed attempt at a polite smile and said, “Not interested.” Then walked away.

I couldn't believe it. This girl was practically throwing herself at Kiefer cooch-first, and he was pushing her away. What was his deal? Did he just not want to be happy? Like at all?

I ran after him.

“Kiefer, what is going on?”

“Nothing,” he said. “I'm going home.”

I followed after him as he walked towards the exit.

“You're being a tight ass,” I said. “You know that girl would blow you no strings attached, right?”

“She's not my type.”

“Look at her,” I said. “She's everyone's type. Or are you not into hot girls? You'd rather just jerk off in your room?”

He glared at me. I was supposed to forget about that or at least pretend to. “She's too young for me,” he said. “I'm not looking for a hook-up. And I've got work in the morning. I'm a grown up.”

“Like I said: tight ass.”

“You like her so much,” he said, “you take her home. I don't give a fuck. See you in the morning.”

With that, he bolted out of the club, letting the door slam behind him.

“Fine,” I said to the door. “Have a good night.”

I turned around and Jackson and Natasha were standing there. Jackson especially looked shocked.

“What's up with him?” I asked.

“You okay?” Natasha asked.

“Yeah.” My voice was louder than it needed to be, and I was obviously shaken by what had just happened.

Jackson gestured to Natasha to wait a second and took me to a quieter corner of the club. “Look, I hate to do this,” he said, “but I would really appreciate it if you could go after him and keep an eye on him.”

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