Unwritten Rules (Rules 1)

“I’m guessing getting your heart broken by the town’s bad boy isn’t exactly pleasant.”

He knows.

But how? Kendrick might’ve told him about Haze’s stunt at the dinner, but that doesn’t justify Blake’s knowledge of… everything.

“I showed up at your house yesterday morning. After Kendrick told us about Haze’s surprise visit, I thought I’d come and get it straight from you. I couldn’t believe it. That you’d agree to go with him after everything he did, and well…” He pauses. “I saw him drop you off.”

“I…” I begin, but he interrupts me.

“No need to explain yourself. The sight of you two fighting like a married couple told me everything I needed to know.” His eyes become hard. “You’ve fallen for him. Like they all do.”

I lower my head to my feet. I always knew they’d react this way. That’s why I didn’t want to tell them. Because I knew they’d be the ones to tell me the truth I so desperately feared.

“It was the only way Haze wouldn’t ruin Kendrick’s dinner. I had to go out with him. We made a deal—that’s all it was.” I can’t believe I’m still trying to justify my actions.

“Let me guess, the part when you’re bawling your eyes out in Kass’s arms was also part of the deal?”

“Oh for God’s sake, you saw that, too?”

“I saw enough.”

How long did Blake sit outside the house? He might’ve seen the person behind the unknown number. I battle the urge to ask him if he saw someone suspicious, well aware that now is not the time.

Images of Will walking out of the house in a hurry burn within me. I still have no idea what he forgot that what was so important he had to come and get it at my house when Kendrick wasn’t home. But most of all, who let him in? Maria was already at work, and Kass was still in bed.

“Did you tell them?”

“I didn’t, believe it or not.”

“You didn’t?”

“Nope, because you will. You’re gonna be the one to look your cousin in the eyes and tell him you’re in love with the enemy, the guy whose brother almost killed him. That’s not my mess to clean up.”

He’s right. The hatred settling in his tone feels like a never-ending punch in the chest. I wouldn’t say I’m in love with Haze. I can’t be in love with him. I can’t love someone whose only goal was to use me.

I'm not that stupid, am I?

“I’m not in love with him,” I blurt.

“Oh really? Because your tears told me otherwise, and that fight—”

“That was the last time, I promise. I won’t go anywhere near him ever again. You don’t have to believe everything I say, but you have got to believe that.”

“Yeah, well, you see, even if I wanted to believe you, I couldn’t. No girl is ever truly over Haze Adams. Trust me, I know.”

I refrain from asking him to elaborate. Whatever ulterior motive Blake has for hating Haze’s player ways so much, I don’t want to know. I’ve had enough for the day.

“God, I can’t believe you did that,” he lashes out. “Have a thing for the guy whose brother once strangled you, the guy who, may I remind you, put a target on your back by making a deal that was meant to hurt Kendrick. The ultimate player, Winter.”

He was never that guy with me.

But then again, he was trying to seduce me, so I guess I never really knew the real him.

In that moment, I wish I could deny what he’s saying. I wish I could magically come up with an explanation for all the times I agreed to follow him. For the times I laughed with him to the point of tears and the constant text messages. I’d like to find the words to justify feeling the way I did when he kissed me in that motel room. I wish I could take our moments back, but I can’t.

They happened.

And they were wonderful.