Forgotten Rules (Rules 4)

“You know what you need?” Zoey chimes in, grabbing a handful of Jolly Ranchers right out of the bag. “A rebound.” Her eyes light up as if a stroke of genius just hit her, and she shrieks, “No, no! You need to hook up with one of his friends.”

I almost laugh. Me? Dealing with men again after what just happened? What is she on?

“I’m good. I don’t see Alex like that.” I cuddle up to the fluffy pillow next to me.

Zoey rolls her eyes. “Not him, dumbass. Hottie Blondie.”

I crinkle my nose at the nickname Zoey likes to give Will, Kendrick’s real best friend—my brother would deny it with his last breath if you asked, but we all know Will is his ride or die. Blake is a close second.

“Will?” I snort. “You can’t be serious. Dude flirts with the entire planet. I don’t even think it’s possible to be special to him.”

“So? I’m not telling you to marry the guy. Just have some fun.” She wiggles her eyebrows. “I’m sure it would drive Blake crazy.”

“Which would be a good thing if I gave a crap what Blake thinks. I just want to move on.”

“Fine.” She throws a cherry Jolly Rancher into her mouth. “But you have to admit, Will is hot.”

I catch myself picturing him. Jaw as sharp as a knife, toned body from working out five days a week with the guys, deep ocean-blue eyes, dirty-blond hair. I’m not blind. Objectively, Will is way up there in the looks department, but I’ve never seen him that way. Was too busy being annoyed by his existence.

“He’s okay, I guess. Not my type.”

“Okay? Okay?” She’s scandalized. “Are you insane? He’s stupid hot, like in a damaged kind of way. I bet you he just needs someone to pierce through that tough exterior of hard muscles and sarcasm.” She releases a devilish smirk. “Hell, if you’re not up for it, I am.”

“What happened to wanting Sean back?” Morgan points out.

“He hasn’t called since we broke up. I’m done waiting. Time to start living again.” Zoey shrugs.

I know I should be happy for her. I’ve been waiting for Zoey to let go of Sean’s toxic ass for ages, but I also know it means she’ll be chasing her next prey soon.

And in this case… her prey is my brother.

Or Will.

Both terrible choices, really.

The front door opening lures my attention away from Zoey’s not-so-secret agenda. What sounds like an entire classroom stumbles inside my kitchen.

Laughter, bickering, shuffling.

There’s no escaping it this time.

The boys are here.

“You fucking moron.” His laugh destroys every last shred of hope in my body.

Blake.

He’s here.

Of course he is.

He just couldn’t sit this one out.

Kendrick, Blake, and Will materialize in the doorway a heartbeat later. I’m assuming Alex couldn’t make it. Blake stops laughing the second he sees me.

Refusing to acknowledge his presence, I zero in on the ceiling, the floor, the family pictures crowding the walls—every goddamn thing in the room but the dark-haired guy boring holes through my skull. Somewhere along my weak, desperate attempt to pretend he doesn’t exist, I lock eyes with Will.

It must last like three seconds, if that.