Forgotten Rules (Rules 4)

Then there’s Alex.

The only genuinely nice guy out of all my brother’s buddies. He’s kind, respectful, the “mom” of the group if you will—I mean, if moms had rock-hard abs and striking green eyes.

I know Alex to have grown up with two younger sisters and overly strict, loaded parents, which raises the question of how the guy with a picture-perfect life ended up dislocating jaws for money.

Illegal habits aside, Alex is a perfect gentleman who’s only ever had a few girlfriends, as opposed to Blake, who got around more than the seasonal flu. Alex is the only guy my brother deemed Kass-boyfriend material, and so Blake and I came up with a plan.

After weeks of begging, we got Alex to cover for us. I pretended to date him, asking Kendrick to drop me off at Alex’s, only to go to Blake’s the second his car dashed down the street. I was so naive back then, so certain what Blake and I had was love. Until our “love” was murdered by a three-word text.

We’re done. Sorry.

Blake ended our six-month relationship over text exactly two weeks ago. Alex told us he was done lying, and if Blake wanted to be with me, he had to put his big-boy pants on and tell Kendrick the truth. Blake decided he’d rather drop the whole thing than get his balls chopped off.

We haven’t said a word to each other since.

Do I feel bad about breaking the sibling rule? Let’s just say the fact that my brother has always had a very public crush on my best friend sure helps me sleep at night. I don’t doubt for a second he would’ve broken the stupid rule in a heartbeat if Zoey was single.

Lucky for me, she has a boyfriend: Sean, some college guy with a big house, a big wallet, and an even bigger ego to match.

When they first started dating, Zoey would go on for hours about how much better older guys were. Turns out the only thing Sean excels at is sitting on his parents’ couch playing video games.

They’ve been on and off for a solid year. These two break up like they breathe, and I’ve stopped counting the times she’s sent me this exact text asking to come over after they had a fight.

I type a quick reply.

Kass: Can’t. My cousin arrives today. I told you.

A few seconds go by.

Zoey: So??? Bring her.

Kass: But I promised I’d show her around town.

Zoey: You can show her around tomorrow. Today we’ll show her a box of tissues and The Notebook.

Kass: Thanks but no thanks.

Zoey: Pleaseee. It’s really over this time. I’m never getting back together with him.

Kass: I’m never going to eat cake again.

Zoey: Huh?

Kass: Oh, I’m sorry. I thought we were listing things we lie to ourselves about.

Zoey: Not funny.

Zoey: U coming over or what?

Kass: *sighs* You’re lucky I love you.

Zoey: YAY! Bring popcorn.

Kendrick nudges me with his elbow, and I look up, smiling at the sight of my cousin scanning the crowd.

“Winter!” Kendrick waves. Her face lights up, and she hurries over, carry-on bag hanging off her shoulder and suitcase rolling by her side. Letting her luggage hit the floor, she walks straight into our arms.

“How was your flight?” I ask when we break away.