Unbroken Rules (Rules 3)

“So, that’s it? You did all this just to get rid of me?”

“Don’t make this any harder than it needs to be.” He doesn’t flinch.

“Fine.” My voice falters. “Don’t worry. I’ll never bother you again.”

He opens his mouth, like he wants to say something, but decides against it.

“Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a party to enjoy. After all, I’m single.” I walk off, elbows ramming into my rib cage on the way to… I don’t know where? I’m going to find Allie and tell her I’m leaving, that’s where.

I’m heading for the staircase when I bump into someone. I tumble back a step and mutter an apology.

“Winter?”

My eyes snap up.

“Caleb?” I say with a surprisingly real smile. Before the night I ruined it all, before he fell for me, before he told all me about Haze on my birthday, he was my best friend. The guy I could always turn to.

He notices my distraught expression. “Are you okay? You look like you could use a friend.”

I dodge his question. “What are you doing here?”

“You are aware that I have other friends, right? Someone invited me.” He laughs. “What about you?”

My gaze wanders to Haze, who found his way back to the couch. But you know who also found their way back to the couch? The blonde girl.

Except that now, she’s sitting on his lap.

Death in 3, 2, 1…

“Huh, mind telling me what the hell your boyfriend is doing with Laura?”

Breathe, Winter.

“So, that’s her name,” I say more to myself than to him. “He’s not my boyfriend anymore. We’re officially over.”

“You decided you couldn’t deal with the lies, huh?”

“No, it’s actually not my doing,” I painfully admit.

“Wait, you mean… he’s the one who broke up with you?” He sounds astounded.

“Yep. Made it crystal clear. He doesn’t love me anymore.”

He frowns, not buying it.

“Want to put that to the test?” He hooks one arm around my waist so fast my breath hitches in my throat.

“Caleb,” I warn.

“Just trust me,” he says with a reassuring smile. I can tell from the way he’s looking at me that he’s trying to prove a point. His right hand lies flat on my back while his other smooths down the fabric of my dress. Then he kisses my cheek. It’s harmless, but I still feel uncomfortable. Caleb tilts his head forward to whisper, “He’s mentally murdering me right now.”

Certain that he’s wrong, I pull away and send a quick glance in Haze’s direction. Our eyes instantly connect through the dimmed red-colored lights. He’s staring straight at us, his eyes loaded with anger.

“Doesn’t mean anything.” I focus on Caleb.

“Trust me, he’s jealous.”

He’s probably just drunk.