Unbroken Rules (Rules 3)

And that’s exactly what scares me.

Because when the sun’s been shining for too long, a storm is waiting around the corner.

“Holy shit. Guys, wake up. You need to see this!”

You know how in the morning you have that moment of complete oblivion? That very short instance of peace. That little while when you don’t remember a thing? Then, progressively, the memories wash over you, and piece by piece, your problems come crawling back

into your brain. That’s what happening to me right now. And my problem is…

I still live with my pain in the ass of a cousin.

“Guys, you need to see this! Come on,” Kendrick calls from the living room, and his footsteps rush down the hall. A loud knock on our bedroom door makes me jump. I open my eyes with a wince and reach for my phone on the nightstand.

8:05 a.m.

Really? He has nothing better to do at 8:05?

“Get your ass in here.” Kendrick hurries back to the kitchen. I glance at Haze, whose head is buried under not one but two pillows to muffle Kendrick’s voice. His hard, defined back is all I can see from this angle. And his arms. God, he’s hot. Eagerness slices through me. Our schedules didn’t align last week. He came home when I was sleeping almost every night. It must’ve been a week and a half since we’ve had some action.

His exposed muscles call out my name, and I’m happy to answer. Sadly, I’m reminded that I didn’t wake up at 8:05 to check out my boyfriend when Kendrick yells, “Guys! Come on!”

Haze rolls onto his back, his eyes still semi closed, and says in a raspy voice, “Dear Winter, I’m sorry I killed your cousin. It’s not my fault he was the most annoying person in the world.”

A chuckle leaves me.

“Guysssss!”

“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” Haze hisses, then raises his voice. “We’re coming.” We painfully drag ourselves out of bed, sharing each other’s frustration. I’m off today, and Haze only works this afternoon. We had plans to sleep in. As soon as we open the door, the sun pulverizes our eyesight. We both wince, blocking the light out with our hands as we march down the hall and into the living room. That’s when I see it.

The first snow.

Slowly falling on the other side of our window, a soft snow covers the city, not giving a damn that it’s not even November yet. I laugh at Kendrick’s hanging jaw.

Seeing snow for the first time will do that you.

Every year, I can’t wait for the snow to melt. But then, every year, I also get excited for the first snow to come. It’s a never-ending cycle. Approaching the window until his nose is merely inches away from the glass, Haze joins Kendrick in his staring session.

“It’s beautiful,” Kendrick states. “I don’t know why you guys complain all the time.”

“Ah. Just wait until you step outside. Shovel for three hours straight to get into your car, and then maybe we can talk. Canada, come for the culture. Stay because your car won’t start.”

Haze and Kendrick snicker, unable to take their eyes off Mother’s Nature show.

“Don’t get too excited. The first snow never stays. Most of it will be gone by the end of the day,” I point out and Haze’s smile transitions into a frown at my statement.

“Aw, don’t worry. Soon, it’ll be here to stay, then you’ll realize what a huge mistake you made and run back to Florida.”

“Don’t hold your breath.” He opens his arm for me, and I move toward his bare chest. He didn’t bother to put on a shirt yet. His skin is burning hot—no surprise there—but I still find myself sighing in relief at the sensation.

Once the guys are done fangirling, we all eat breakfast. Haze is more than happy that, once we’ve brushed our teeth, I’m willing to kiss him.

“What do you want to do before work?” I stalk to him in the kitchen. I’m hoping I can convince him to visit an animal shelter. He pulls me into his arms and cups my ass through my pajamas.

“I have some ideas.” He leans forward.

Kendrick gags next to us.

Haze and Kendrick exchange glances, and I can tell from the way Kendrick rolls his eyes that they did it again. Recently, all they have to do is look at each other to communicate. Don’t ask me how—I don’t get it either. Usually, their eye conversations concern Kendrick going out for a little while so we can have some alone time.