“Insatiable,” I mumbled, tugging on my baggy pajama shorts after slathering my skin in my favorite body butter.
My eyes went wide when I caught my reflection in the mirror.Faint light pink bruise spreading across my chest.
That jerk had left hickeys on my breasts!
Anger and annoyance filled my veins as I pulled on an oversized T-shirt.After wearing my mismatched socks, I dried my hair, hearing the muffled voices of people talking outside.
I should go meet Amanda…
But how the hell could I face her?
Her brother—heryoungerbrother—and I had done unspeakable things in a hotel room.
Underherroof.
My chest tightened.
A knot of guilt and shame twisted tighter as I paced, my mind spinning with lies I would have to tell.I wasn’t good at lying.
In fourth grade, when I had beaten up a few bullies for cornering Dylan, the principal called me to his office and asked me if I had punched Ron so hard that he broke a tooth.
I had just shrugged and replied with, “It will grow back.I’m missing my AP science class.Can I go back?”
Oh, my god.What was I going to say to Amanda?
‘Hi, Katie!How’s Pollux?Didn’t know you liked them young?’
The image of Amanda throwing me out of her apartment, of our childhood friendship breaking apart, flashed like a nightmare in my mind.
I shivered, swallowing the anxiety and bracing myself for the worst.
Dylan was an adult.I hadn’t even known it washimuntil the next day.I had even forgotten what he had looked like!
But he knew it was me.Still, he went along with everything.
Did I do something to lead him on when we were younger?I bit the inside of my cheek.It wouldn’t be the first time.Men have always told me that I kept leading them on when I was at college.So, I had stopped befriending men altogether, convinced I’d missed some social cue I wasn’t meant to understand.
But Dylan… he was different.He wouldn’t call me a bitch if I said no.He wouldn’t justify his actions by playing the ‘nice guy’ card.
So… why did he want me?Like me?
I shook my head, trying to force myself out of the dark spiral of self-blame.I had to face my best friend.
“Katie!”Amanda’s voice rang out the moment I opened the door.
I forced a smile, stepping into the kitchen, only to freeze.
There she was.Amanda, my sweet and scary best-friend, standing bright and cheerful, completely unaware, while shirtless Dylan leaned casually against the island, his smirk barely concealed.
Was it too late to turn around and slam the door shut?
19
KATIE IS MINE
KATIE
“Hi!”I tried to beam excitedly when Amanda hugged me.“I missed you!”That was the sincere truth.
