Unwritten Rules (Rules 1)

“You’re unbelievable, you know that?” He shakes his head. “And who the hell is Samantha?”

“It was my grandmother’s name. Also the first name that came to my mind.”

“So, correct me if I’m wrong, you’re suggesting that I’m sleeping with your grandmother?”

“You just infected my brain with images.” I bury my face in between my hands.

“That was the point.” I peek through my fingers and catch his smirk.

We’re still laughing when the waitress brings us our coffees and rests them in front of us. Ruining one of Haze Adams’s possible hookups? Check.

WE’RE ON OUR THIRD COFFEE WHEN the waitress comes to tell us they’re closing in thirty minutes. We’ve been talking about anything and everything for close to two hours, and to my great surprise, it’s actually been a lot less awful than I expected. Haze knows how to hold a conversation. Not to mention the guy’s actually really funny when he’s not in “street fighter” mode.

“All right. Enough.” His voice interrupts my thoughts.

“What?”

I have a little idea of what he’s going to say.

“The evening’s been great. You’ve been lovely. Now spit it out.”

“Spit what out?”

“The question you obviously came here to ask me.”

Busted.

“I’m not dumb, Kingston. You wouldn’t be here with me after what happened to Kendrick if it wasn’t important.”

I hate how he sees so clearly through my game.

“Is it so hard to believe that I could just be a nice person who wants to spend time with you without getting anything in return?” I rest my hand on my heart and pretend to be offended. He laughs.

“Winter, come on.”

“Fine, smartass.” I sigh. “I was wondering if maybe you could do something for me.”

“Try me.”

“Here’s the thing.” I take a deep breath. “Kendrick’s at his worst right now, thanks to your brother and his fighters. The last thing we need is for word to spread that the East Side is vulnerable especially a month before the f…”

He doesn’t say anything. But he doesn’t have to. The look in his eyes is more than enough to cut me off. I press my lips together, uncertain.

“That’s a lot you’re asking from me.” He glances around the diner as if he fears someone might be listening. “I know I owe you after what my brother did to you. But I think I did my part to repay you when I saved your cousin. You’re asking me to cover for my enemies. I can’t do that. I won’t.” I feel in my bones that his answer is final.

I can’t believe how stupid the guys and I were to think that a nice little coffee date would be enough to convince Haze Adams to show kindness.

“Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t make any promises.”

“Wrong. You can promise me one thing.” I gather every ounce of courage I have left and let our eyes meet. “You can at least try and talk to your brother. And when the fight does come, don’t be too violent.”

Haze smirks. “So you do think I’m going to win, huh?”

“Haze, please.”

“And what makes you think I would do such a thing for you?”

His words feel like a slap. He’s right. I have no idea why we thought he would somehow act civilized and do something right for once. And for some girl he just met?