Page 160 of Unbroken Rules (Rules 3)

HAZE

“You’re never going to believe what she said next.” The blonde twirls her extension around her finger. Fiddling with my phone, I debate on whether or not I could get away with standing up mid-conversation and storming out of the coffee shop. What the fuck was I thinking? Why did I let Vic talk me into this?

When he set me up with some girl he knew, I didn’t want to go, but he told her I would do it before I could say no and I felt bad. He insisted that it can’t be healthy to go this long without some action, but I don’t care. I don’t even remember her name. Carrie? Callie? Cassie? She’s beautiful, sure, but I need much more than that. It wouldn’t hurt if she made me laugh. Maybe even surprise me with a snarky comeback once in a while. I’d like to feel like this conversation is going somewhere, and right now, the only place it’s leading me is right out the fucking door.

We had coffee, we talked, I paid. Now I just have to find an excuse to leave.

“Shit, would you look at the time? It’s late. I should go.” I rise to my feet.

“But… it’s 2:00 p.m.,” she stutters, confused.

“Yeah, exactly. It’s late.” I force a smile. “It was great meeting you.”

I begin walking away.

Don’t say it.

Don’t say it.

Don’t say it.”

“Haze, wait.”

I turn around.

“Will you call me?” she tries.

Fuck.

Remember what you said, Haze. No more lying. You’ve been good for almost a year. Don’t ruin it, now.

“Honestly?”

She nods.

“Probably not.”

And she’s offended. Awesome.

“I’m so sorry. I promise it’s not you. I’m just… getting out of a relationship.”

The face she makes screams, “Warning! Warning! Damaged goods right here!” I can practically feel her losing interest in me. Vic said this line always worked with girls back when Bea left him for someone else. But, in my case, it’s expired. Been invalid for quite a while now.

It’s almost been a year, Haze.

You should be over it.

I bet she is.

“Okay, bye now.” I rush out of the coffee shop, my mind racing, and glance down at my phone to see a text from Vic.

Vic: You drank all the milk. AGAIN. Pick some up on the way home asshole.

I grin. Living with this guy has been… something. We decided to become roommates after I came back from my US trip—I still have to go back home every six months as I’m not a Canadian citizen—and move into a bigger place together. I made sure our new place was as far away as possible from, well, the past. I chose an entirely different neighborhood, simply because it seemed like the right thing to do for everyone.

I look up from my phone the second the pedestrian light comes on. I’m about to cross the street, but I can’t…

Because my heart gets ripped out of my chest and brutally shoved back in.