Unspoken Rules (Rules 2)

The tears evolve into sobs.

“Well, then, I guess you’ll never move on.”

I turn to look at him one last time and see a tear escape his eye. I can barely believe it. He’s crying. Haze is crying.

“Because I’m never going to stop loving you.”

Next thing I know the door’s closed behind me and I’m watching the lake house disappear in Kendrick’s rearview mirror along with our memories. They grow distant until they’re completely out of sight. Until they’re just that: memories. Memories of a time when we still stood a chance.

Kendrick doesn’t dare speak, just listening to me sniffle like a maniac. I’m crying so hard I’m legally blind at this point. He eventually turns on the radio to cover up his awkward witnessing of my breakdown.

What are you doing, Winter? You should be happy. You dodged the bullet, I tell myself.

But then why…

Why does it feel like I didn’t dodge it at all?

20

Blocked Numbers

“I’m starving,” Kendrick says, pulling up to a fast-food restaurant’s drive-through and rolling his window down. We’ve been on the road for way too many hours to count. Haze really did take me to the middle of nowhere. My cousin and I haven’t exchanged a word since we left the lake house. I’ve decided that I’m not in the mood to talk to him or anyone ever again, period.

“Hi, can I get four cheeseburgers—extra cheese, no ketchup—large fries, and a Coke?” Kendrick says.

I’m surprise that he got me two burgers. I’d barely eat one.

“Do you want anything?” He turns to me, and I scoff.

Of course this is all for him.

“You’re a pig, you know that?”

“There it is,” he says, proud of himself.

“What?”

“That smile.”

He’s right. I’ve almost never truly smiled since the day Riley showed up. It’s been a while since my life’s been nothing but tears and constant worries.

“Sir? Your order, please?” the employee insists.

“Rig

ht. Sorry. She’ll have a salad and water.”

“I’m sorry, what? Are you putting me on a diet?” I punch him in the arm.

“You’ll need to look your best for your next boy.” He wiggles his eyebrows, and I shudder, the thought stamping down my rib cage.

My next boy.

My next boy that won’t be Haze.

We get our food, and Kendrick parks the car.

“Come on, you’re driving.” He unbuckles his seat belt.