Page 9 of The KING Review

so… if you’ve got time too, then when better to hammer out some rules, right?

Me:

Rules?

Don’t:

do you have the time?

I consider for a moment before responding.

Me:

I’m at home, too.

I press a palm to my thigh, grappling with sending another text. I don’t usually send multiple messages, but frankly, I can’t stand the idea of her not sending another, so I give in.

Me:

What did you have in mind?

Don’t:

I think we should have a safe word

I bark a laugh to myself, even though I’m alone in my home and she obviously can’t hear me. I can’t help the reaction, but deeper down, I’m beset upon by relief. If she were crossing a line, I’d tell her, and I don’t doubt that she’s just as respectful as her sister when it comes to boundaries; she’d back off if I asked her—even before she told me she’d do that, I knew she would.

But it still makes me feel better about all this—because I know I’m already getting tangled up in something I shouldn’t be. Having a safety net does make me feel… well, safer.

My phone buzzes again.

Don’t:

we should have a way to check in with each other, yknow

Me:

Thank you for saying it first. I’d have brought it up if you didn’t.

Don’t:

haha, yeah, well, as the pushier person in this dynamic, I’d like to make sure I’m not crossing lines without realizing

I respect consent always

Me:

I know that. I’d tell you if you crossed a line.

Don’t:

ha, yeah, I know that too

Me:

We should have a way for both of us to check in, though. Not just me.

Don’t: