Unwritten Rules (Rules 1)

S E V E N

Liar, Liar

“Where the hell were you?”

Two seconds. That’s how long it took for the first question to come bursting out of her mouth. Sitting at the kitchen table in her nightgown, she was waiting to pounce on whoever would walk through the door. She’s the definition of angry. The dark circles under her eyes tell me that she’s exhausted. She came back from her shift at the hospital at eight. She’s probably been sitting there and calling us for hours. I would’ve sent her a text before but didn’t have my phone until now.

“Out,” I say, well aware that she’s not going to let it go.

“I’m not going to ask again. Where were you?”

“I was at a friend’s.”

“It’s past midnight. You can’t seriously expect me to believe that?”

“We were studying. We have a big test on Monday. I didn’t realize how late it was. I’m sorry. I won’t do it again.”

Her face softens although she is still upset. “And about last night? What happened to coming back before midnight?”

“One of my friends wasn’t feeling well, so I took her home. I ended up falling asleep there. I would’ve called, but my phone was dead. By the time I woke up, it was way too late to walk alone, and I didn’t want to wake you.” I hate that I have to lie to her. But she can’t know the truth. She can’t be in danger, too.

The anger slowly dissipates from her stern face. She lets out a long and discouraged sigh. “You never do that again, you hear me? I’m supposed to be watching over you while your mother’s gone. When you move out, you’ll be free to do what you want, but for now, you live with me. If anything happens to you, it’s on me.”

“I know. I’m so sorry. I won’t do it again. I promise.”

She nods and opens her arms in my direction. I walk into her welcoming embrace, relieved that she bought it. At least, for now. Maria has always been like a second mother to me. Lying to her breaks my heart.

“Whose jacket is this?” She pulls away.

“Kendrick’s. I was in a hurry, so I grabbed whatever I could find.”

She nods, but I can tell she’s not a hundred percent convinced. She did his laundry for so long, something tells me she knows every piece of clothing he owns.

Karma is going to hit me really hard for this.

“I’m exhausted. I’m going to bed.” I smile and attempt to walk around her. I can’t believe I avoided the Kendrick questi—

“Do you happen to know where Kendrick is?”

Dang it.

I turn around, my mind racing. “Yeah. He asked me to tell you…”

Think, Winter, think.

“His friend’s parents got divorced. He’s staying with her to help her cope with it. She’s very sad.”

Maria’s face lights up.

“You mean…” She pauses. “My little boy has a girlfriend?”

Shit.

Why did I use the term “her”?

Of course she would think they’re more than friends if he’s staying with her because she’s depressed.

“Yeah.” I force a smile.