Forgotten Rules (Rules 4)

I hang on to their every word.

Wow, I am such a creep right now.

“Thank you for showing me you were worth knowing.”

Haze is out of the bathroom a second later. I hide like the professional stalker that I am, awaiting the front door’s slam. Winter wanders into the hall next, head free of Haze’s helmet. I lurch out of my hiding spot, making her jump.

“Thank you for showing me you were worth knowing? Seriously?” I blurt out.

Winter, come on, you’re smarter than this. He is so going to break your heart. Reeking of shame, she rounds me, rushing up the stairs without a word.

“When you catch feelings and he drops you, don’t say I didn’t warn you,” I call right before she closes her bedroom door.

I instantly regret being hard on her. I don’t mean to be the bad guy. I don’t mean to be the annoying cousin, but she has no idea who she’s dealing with. People don’t change. Especially not the kind with bulging muscles and tattoos.

My phone lights up with another of Zoey’s impatient texts, and I lock myself into the bathroom for a much-needed shower. Once I’m done, I change out of my work clothes into joggers and a crop top.

Lacing a hoodie around my hips in case I get cold, I zoom down the stairs, stopping short at the sound of my brother’s voice. He’s on the phone in the guest room. I don’t think much of it, making a beeline for the front door.

“Going out?”

I jolt, spinning to see Will staring at me, back against the wall, buff arms crossed over his chest. He looks me up and down so shamelessly my stomach flips. I swallow hard, drinking in his appearance. We might’ve stopped texting after I told him about my date with Luke, but that doesn’t mean I’m any less attracted to his dumb ass.

He’s wearing dark sweatpants and an unzipped black jacket on top of a white tank top, which accentuates that ridiculous body of his. I’m guessing he just finished working out.

“What are you doing here?”

“Just hanging out with Kendrick. He had to take a call.” He gestures to the distant guest room with a flick of his chin.

I nod, but I can’t stop wondering what he’d look like if someone tore those sweaty clothes off him. Even better, if I tore those sweaty clothes off him.

Kass, knock it off!

“You?” he asks.

“Heading out. Movie night with my friends.”

“Which friends?” He cocks an eyebrow. “And don’t say Zoey because she doesn’t qualify as one.”

He still doesn’t like her. Noted.

“What’d she ever do to you?” I slide into the pair of sneakers I left by the door.

“Me? Nothing. It’s you she’s constantly bossing around.”

“She doesn’t—”

My phone pings with a text.

“Hold on.” I pick it out of my sweats pocket.

“Let me guess, it’s her.”

He’s spot-on, but I don’t tell him that, unlocking my phone to a list of things I have to get for movie night. Not that I’m surprised. We said we’d take turns buying food for our rom-com marathons, but Morgan and I are the only ones ever holding up our ends of the deal.

Zoey always forgets and texts me to grab some things on the way. She hasn’t been able to pay me back yet, but it’s okay. Although I have to admit I could’ve done without her list this week. I’m really short on money. Still haven’t gotten paid.

“What does she want?” He reads me loud and clear.