Forgotten Rules (Rules 4)

He scoffs. “Calm down, drama queen. You can’t feel shit this early.”

“It’s hot in here. Why is it so hot in here?” I hyperventilate. “How could you not tell me? This is all your fault.”

“Me?” He laughs again. “You didn’t even give me a chance to speak before you inhaled the whole thing.”

“Was it yours?” Not important, but I’m curious.

“No. It was for a friend.”

We don’t speak until Will breaks out laughing again.

“Shut up. This isn’t funny.” I swat him in the arm, but he ignores me. So, I push him—more like try to. He barely tumbles back. “Stop laughing!”

He doesn’t give me the time of day, still howling. Irritated, I rattle his shoulder with hits until he snaps, snatching both my wrists and yanking me closer.

A little too close.

My breath gets stuck my throat.

I can’t help zeroing in on his lips, which are perfectly level with my eyes. It barely lasts three seconds. But three seconds is more than enough. Because something has shifted between us.

He’s not laughing anymore.

We stand there, staring at each other in utter silence. Then, as though we’ve both realized the exact same thing, we back away at superhuman speed.

Will clears his throat. “Then don’t.”

“What?” I can’t remember what we were talking about.

“Don’t go home.”

“You’re right. Good idea. I’ll just sleep in the dumpster outside. Looks real comfy.” I turn on my heels. “Thanks for nothing.”

“Where are you going?” he asks.

I shoulder check him as I walk. “I don’t know. Somewhere, anywhere. I’m going to try and find a way to stop this high from happening.”

I’m halfway to the front door when he calls, “Hey, control freak?”

I stop short.

“I think I might be able to help you with that.”

He’s right where I left him, except that now… he’s smiling. And it’s one of his I’m going to get us in trouble smile. I hesitate for a second, then think, Screw it.

I’m already in trouble.

He can’t possibly make it worse.

Wriggling in Will’s passenger seat, I tap my foot anxiously. I wasn’t sold when he told me his miracle remedy required for me to drive somewhere with him. But after he promised he hadn’t been drinking five times, I let him convince me. Although not without asking him why his car was at the party since Blake gave him a ride.

He said something about lending it to Alex to drive to Bianca’s since his ball-busting folks took away his keys again and he had no way of getting there. I’ll never wrap my head around how close these boys are. Lend someone your car just so he can come to a party? Talk about bromance.

“How did you know to come and save me?” I think back to my awkward encounter with Luke.

“I know a girl who needs an excuse to leave when I see one.” He shrugs, eyes fixated on the road. “What’s up with you and golden boy

anyway? I thought you were giving him a chance.”