Unbroken Rules (Rules 3)

I can’t believe what he does next.

He curses under his breath, removes his coat, and drops it on my shoulders, no questions asked.

Even when he’s pissed at me, even when he thinks I just made out with another guy, he’s still Haze. And this, right there, is why I can’t let him go.

He’s the one freezing now, snowflakes multiplying on his black T-shirt with every passing second.

“I don’t need it.” I attempt to give it back.

“Winter, don’t you dare,” he warns.

Damn, okay, Hazie.

“Nothing happened. He was at the door when I came home. Said he wanted to check on me. Then he confessed his feelings and I rejected him, but he still made a move on me and I swear I would’ve pushed him away. You just happened to walk in at the wrong time. I’m so sorry.” I pause, realization washing over me. “No, I take that back. I’m not sorry. You want to know why he was worried about me? Because I was miserable. I was a mess because you left. Again. I’ve never needed you as much as I did today and you…” My tears turn cold before they can stream down my cheek. “So, you know what? Fine. Leave. If that’s what you want, just go. I’m sick of chasing you. I’m sick of loving someone who doesn’t love me enough to stay. You suck.”

Man, did I really have to add the you suck at the end? Way to ruin the dramatic effect.

My speech only heightens his anger. He steps forward until he’s so close, I have to crane my neck.

“Is that what you think? That I don’t fucking love you?” he snaps, the anger in his blue eyes sending shivers down my spine. “Of course I do. I love you more than it should be allowed to. You think I didn’t want to be with you today? Winter, it’s all I wanted to do. It’s all I’ve wanted for weeks now.”

“Then why didn’t you?” I’m all sorts of emotional. “Just tell me why.”

He debates on my request, silent for a short moment.

“Tell me or let me go.”

Like my words just slapped him in the face, he steps back. He seems to actually be considering his options, and it terrifies me. He can’t be considering it. Panicked, I get on the tip of my toes and slam my mouth to his. I kiss him with all I have, and in the middle of this semi snowstorm…

He kisses me back.

He’s angry—no, he’s furious—but he doesn’t push me away. It feels like I can breathe again. Our lips dance together, equally desperate for this moment. His hand jumps to my back, and he pulls me flush against his chest. We’re both freezing our asses off, kissing like idiots in a snowy parking lot.

I break away from him. “I love you, goddamn it. Can’t you see that? It’s you. Not him. You,” I say through frozen tears. When he sees the wreck that I am, pain and anger flee his gaze.

He believes me.

“What the hell are you doing? Get back inside.” Caleb’s voice makes us turn around.

Ugh.

We see him running out of the apartment complex with my coat hanging off his arm. He doesn’t stop until he’s next to me.

“Put your coat on. What are you? Crazy?” He hands it to me, and I give Haze’s back. “Come on.” Caleb captures my arm to drag me back inside. Haze’s hands clench into tight fists the second Caleb touches me, and I know punches will be flying soon. I whisk my arm away from his hold.

“Caleb, I need you to go.”

He stops, surprised. “What?”

“I made it clear. Multiple times. I don’t feel that way about you, Haze or not. I told you I didn’t want this, but you still made a move on me up there. Just go, please.”

Haze’s fists unfold as he watches Caleb’s expression fall to the ground. I don’t mean to hurt him. We used to be close friends, but no is no. Haze motions to walk to his car, which I do. I feel sorry for Caleb, but I know, from this day forward, he can’t be a part of my life anymore. He’s always going to want more than I can offer. I climb inside Haze’s car, and he starts the engine. Just before we drive off, he rolls the window down to say something to Caleb.

“Thanks for the coat though.”

We disappear down the street in a roar. I look at him in disbelief. Savage much?

“He tried to force himself on my girlfriend. Trust me, he deserved worse.” He intertwines our fingers.