Forgotten Rules (Rules 4)

“I need to talk to Alex,” Kendrick adds. “They used to date. He knows her better than anyone. He knows where she would go in a moment like this.”

I almost laugh.

Yeah, right.

“Don’t worry. She’s a smart girl. I’m sure she won’t do anything stupid,” I reassure the both of us.

A distraught Kendrick hangs up the phone, leaving me to fend for myself against a million worst-case scenarios. I sit there, racking my brain for five minutes before I finally figure it out. Igniting the engine, I rejoin the traffic and speed down the street at full speed.

I think I know exactly where she went.

Kassidy

My heart in my throat and tears blazing my eyes, I stare blankly into the void ahead of me and wait. For what, you ask? Something—anything. Maybe, if I’m lucky, Will’s tree house will collapse and put me out of my misery. As

long as it brings this horrible day to an end, I’m on board.

I haven’t cried once. Correction: I haven’t let myself cry once. I knocked some sense into myself as quickly as Daddy dearest walked out on us—sorry, too soon? He doesn’t deserve my pain. Did it stop the tears from trying me? Did it stop the painful pit from taking residency in my throat? Not one bit. But I won’t break down for someone who doesn’t care.

My father is a cheating, college-girl-banging piece of trash.

There, I said it.

Now I just have to learn to live with it.

I rub my eyes, which are terribly swollen from repressing my emotions, and make a mental note of looking up “can you get eye problems from holding back tears?” later.

I’m not sure why I came here, really. Why my shattered heart lead me to Will’s tree house. From the moment I watched Dale’s dwindle into my rearview mirror, I knew I couldn’t go home. Then memories of the night Will took me to his “secret spot” resurfaced. I remembered how quiet, gorgeous, and peaceful it was there and found myself taking the exit without realizing it.

My phone lights up with another one of my brother’s messages, and I consider powering it off.

Kendrick: Where are you?

Kendrick: Where the fuck are you?

Kendrick: You’re not home.

Kendrick: Mom is worried sick.

Kendrick: Kass, at least tell us you’re okay.

Kendrick: That’s it. I’m calling the cops.

Kendrick: Okay I’m not calling the cops but come home.

I snort at his last text. He can call the cops all he wants; I have nothing to say to either of them right now. I’m about to delete his messages when I hear branches cracking.

I stiffen up.

Five buck says the Universe heard my prayer and sent a big-ass bear. Although, I have to admit, being devoured by a bear isn’t exactly what I was going for.

“Thank fucking God.” A familiar voice startles me.

My gaze descends to the ground.

He’s right there.

Staring up at me with worry, doubt, and relief in his eyes.