Unbroken Rules (Rules 3)

That’s what’s happening right now.

I pull my phone out and see a text from Allie. She’s asking if I’m okay. I text back that I need a breather and not to worry about me. Stepping out of the bathroom, I head for the stairs leading back to the deck and stop dead in my tracks when I hear a voice I know all too well.

“You’ve had enough, Vic.”

Haze.

My heart sinks.

As in literally… because I’m on a boat. Get it?

Shut up, Winter.

“For real though, are you at least invited to the wedding?” Vic cackles.

“You know I’m not,” Haze says quietly.

“Well, you should be. As far as I’m concerned, Harry should give you some credit. Make you best man or something.”

I frown.

“I might’ve gotten his new girlfriend into the house, but I didn’t create what they have. They did that all on their own.”

Wait, what?

Haze got Judy into the house?

“Stop being so modest, man. If it weren’t for his home care, Winter’s dad would still be a single pringle. And I mean… you paid for it.”

My jaw falls to the floor.

At first, my brain attempts to convince itself that I heard him wrong. But then, the truth completes a puzzle I didn’t even know was missing a piece.

Haze… paid for my dad’s care?

I always wondered about the insurance company’s sudden change of heart. My dad never gave me a real explanation. Does he know that Haze paid for it? Shit, that must’ve been so expensive. I can’t believe it. Haze is the reason I didn’t lose my mind while my dad was healing. Without Judy, I would’ve been alone to take care of him, Jay, and Maika full-time.

On autopilot, I step out of hiding and expose myself to a very drunk combo. They’re both leaned back against the wall, drinking beers.

“What the hell?” It comes out way louder than intended.

Haze’s face collapses at the sight of me.

That’s Vic’s cue.

“I… I’m going to go see if they have any food.” He disappears up the stairs in a hurry.

An intolerable silence sits between us.

Haze speaks first.

“How long have you been listening?” he sighs.

“Long enough.”

He begins to say something, but I can’t hear him, thanks to the loud music upstairs. Irritated, I act on impulse and snatch his beer from his hand. I finish it in one gulp and throw it into a nearby trash can. Then, I grab his arm, lead him into the guest bedroom Allie assigned to me, and shut the door.

Kendrick, Alex, Will, Kass, Allie, and I will be sleeping inside the boat tonight. It’s coming back to the shore at around 3:00 a.m. for the guests to leave, but we decided not to bother arranging for a designated driver and will be sleeping at the marina. I flick the light on and wait. I don’t even know what I expect him to say.