Page 36 of Forgotten Rules (Rules 4)

I’d never forgive myself if she got her heart stomped on by Haze like Zoey and I didn’t at least try to warn her.

She holds her hands up. “Believe it or not, I’m actually not a fan of heartless douchebags. I’m one of the girls who don’t enjoy when a man doesn’t give a crap about them. Yes, we do exist.”

“Says the girl who literally just let him take her home,” I mutter under my breath.

“Okay. You know what? I didn’t sleep at his place willingly. Something happened to me, and I was in trouble. Haze helped and offered me a place to stay.”

Shocked by her honesty, I can’t gather a response.

I give in. “Some street fight trouble?”

Disbelief fills her eyes.

“You know?”

“I’ve known for a while now. I’m not blind. Neither is my mom. She knows Kendrick is involved in something she can’t control. I hear your fights at night. Kendrick needs to stop taking the world for idiots. Not to mention Blake’s behavior was so weird back when we were dating. Eventually, I put the pieces together.”

“Why didn’t you say something?”

“Because it’s better to pretend not to know certain things, Winter. I don’t want to get involved in his mess, and I’ve managed to do that successfully until…”

“Until me,” she finishes.

“Well, don’t get me wrong, but you literally threw yourself into the fire. What were you thinking following my brother when he goes out?”

She’s astounded. “Seriously? You heard that, too?”

“You guys are pretty loud when you argue at night.”

The following minutes are spent in utter silence. We haven’t moved one bit, still stuck in traffic.

“Look at her.” Winter motions to the lady dancing in the car next to us.

“Can’t. I’m driving,” I grumble.

“You’re sitting in an unmoving car, actually.”

I surrender, glancing over at the woman. “What?”

“I hope I can be this carefree when I’m older.”

“If and only if you live beyond the age of eighteen.” I regret my bitter words as soon as they roll off my tongue. I can’t help myself when it comes to Haze. Listening to Zoey sob over this guy for a year gave me a full-blown Haze allergy.

“Harsh.” She exhales.

Guilt coils in my throat.

“I know. I know. I’m being an asshole, I’m sorry. It’s just… Haze Adams is only as nice as he needs to be to get your trust. Promise me you’ll stay away.”

It takes her too long to agree for my liking. “I promise.”

I nod, focusing on the road and attempting to convince myself that I fixed it. That I fixed her. But deep down, I know… if Haze decides he wants Winter, homegirl is screwed.

Haze Adams always gets what he wants.

“Finally! Alex, they’re back,” Will shouts when Winter strolls into the house, dropping our shopping bags onto the tiled floor. I come in after her, immediately locking eyes with the broad-shouldered blond in my kitchen.

“Aw, did someone miss us?” Winter teases.