Bye-Bye Jerk, Hello Mr. Right by Rosie Steppe

Chapter 171

I froze.

I hadn't thought about that.

Probably not. I mean, I haven't kissed many people. Even with Jace, who I crushed on for ages, I only ever stole kisses when he was sick, half-asleep, or passed out drunk. And even then, it was just on his cheek or the back of his hand. But earlier with Hayden... our lips actually touched. That wasn't something Jace and I did much.

Jace used to kiss me on the cheek or forehead all the time, but a real kiss? Lips meeting, like really kissing? There was only one time.

I remember him saying, "Rea, we're too close. I just can't do it."

The truth-was, he just didn't love me enough. Someone once told me that when two people kiss, and it's real-like lips and tongues tangling-it's all dopamine. It's supposed to be uncontrollable.

If you can control it, well, that means you're just not that into them.

"I don't like hypotheticals," I finally said to Hayden.

His jaw tightened, and I watched his Adam's apple move as he swallowed. "But I want to know."

The intensity in his eyes was so strong, I could barely breathe under the weight of it.

I let out a sarcastic laugh. "Why's it such a big deal? First time a girl's kissed you?"

"Yes."

like a slap, and my smile totally

jerk: "Well, I'll make it up to you." "How?" Hayden asked,

but suddenly it felt like I was

kind of "make it up"

shut this down, stop whatever hopes he had, there was only one

the kissing. If you're gonna start catching feelings, I'll have to find

boyfriends every day?" His voice

then what choice do I

you to fake this

+25 BONUS

shove and

down the window, giving him one last look. "Not

Nothing.

about to say more, but bit it back. Instead, I rolled up the window and slammed on

the car sped off, I glanced in the rearview mirror. Hayden was still there, standing alone in the dark. He looked... abandoned,

guilt hit

back to his place across from mine, but I couldn't face going

tried calling Lena again-still no