Page 17 of Rulebreaker

Christ.

“But I’m not the guys. I see it. I seeyou.” She sighs and waves a hand in my direction. “Of course, I can tell by that stubborn scowl you’re sporting that you’re not going to dish out your deepest darkest secrets just because I ask.”

Iamscowling.

And her words have it deepening.

“But I need you to know, I see it. I feel it. And?—”

I brace.

“I’m here if you ever want to talk.” She gives me a sad smile. “As a friend. As a surrogate sister.”

“Thanks,” I mutter.

“And now you sound like you’re chewing glass. But”—she picks up her coat, her backpack, having dropped both into the chair beside her when she popped into my office earlier to check in before she leaves for the day. “I know when a man’s had enough for one day.”

Thank fuck.

“I’ll see you tomorrow.”

I nod, wave, and then focus back on my papers, on organizing my desk, on controlling the small things I can control.

I’m so engrossed in it that I miss Briar pausing in the doorway.

At least until she says, “For the record, it’s been months of you being off.” A beat, my fingers tightening on the stack. “But that off has increased exponentially ever since you gave a certain pop star a ride on the company jet.”

I open my mouth to tell her that it’s not like she thinks.

That I had meetings in Denver anyway.

But Briar’s made her point.

And then I’m alone in my office…

With nothing but memories of one incredible night with a pop star to keep me warm.

SIX

Lily

Flying backto Los Angeles from Albuquerque isn’t a long flight but it’s in the opposite direction I need to go. Aspen’s baby shower is important, though, and I’m excited that I’m able to be here. Briar and Willow planned it around my schedule so it would have been shitty for me to say I’m tired and jet-lagged and just don’t want to get back on another plane.

Now that I’m here, I’m glad I forced myself to come because there’s an excitement in the air that’s contagious. The girls are laughing and giggling when I arrive, waving me over with bright smiles.

“I’m so glad you made it!” Briar says.

“I wouldn’t miss it,” I reply warmly, hugging everyone.

“The guys are carrying in the last of the decorations,” Briar says, just as Atlas appears.

“Briar, where do you want–” He’s carrying what looks like an arch of some kind and promptly bangs into the wall.

I bite my lip as Jade covers a giggle.

“I’ve got it.” Briar sweeps in and takes it from him, moving it outside to a covered patio.

“Oh, this is beautiful,” I say, looking around. The pool area is expansive but there’s a small gazebo at the back of the yard and a section of the patio off to the side where Royal and Dash are setting up chairs.