Page 173 of Unbroken Rules (Rules 3)

Ugh. Did I just call him babe?

I never, ever call him babe. I just said it in front of Haze to clarify that I’m dating Matt. He frowns at the nickname but doesn’t question it. I kiss him on the cheek, and he wraps one arm around me for a quick embrace. All I want to do when he presses his lips to my forehead is watch out for Haze’s reaction.

Haze’s eyes are cold, empty. Like he’s doing everything in his power to hide how he’s feeling, but I know him too well to buy the fake façade he portrays. That hurt.

“Matt, this is Haze,” I say politely.

“Nice to meet you.” Matt holds out his hand, but Haze doesn’t shake it—doesn’t even consider shaking it. He raises a challenging eyebrow at him.

“So that’s my replacement, huh?”

“Excuse me?” Matt frowns.

With a shit-eating grin, Haze says, “You downgraded.”

I’m going to kill him.

“Haze!” I scold.

Matt’s eyes light up in realization. “Is this…”

“The boyfriend? Yup. Took you long enough,” Haze says.

“Ex-boyfriend,” I correct. “You know the one I told you about? The guy I’m never getting back with?”

The cocky smile is instantly slapped off Haze’s face.

“Really, Winter? Matthew Connor? I thought you had better taste.”

“Wait… You know him?” I frown.

“Know of him. Our parents used to do business together. He’s an asshole.”

“We’re leaving.” I grip Matt’s arm to pull him away but…

“Hold on. Haze, was it? I’ve heard that name somewhere. Wait. Haze as in Haze Adams? You’re the kid Adams Inc. disowned, aren’t you?”

Haze doesn’t deny it, nor confirm it.

“How’s it feel being rejected by your own parents?”

Baffled, I eye Matt. Where did that come from?

“You want to repeat that, see what happens?” Haze says through gritted teeth, going all alpha male as he steps dangerously close to Matt. The vein that always pops out in his neck when he’s angry captures my attention.

“Okay. Good chat.” I practically have to shove Matt back inside the building before the situation degenerates. Matt proceeds to bash Haze for the next twenty minutes.

When we we’re informed of the trial picking up again, I push all Haze-related thoughts out of my head.

“I’ve come to a decision,” the judge says.

If I thought these words were stressful in movies, I’d obviously never experienced them in real life. With my heart thumping against my rib cage, I assess the complete stranger whose next sentence will affect my entire family. Matt intertwines our fingers to display his support.

“I believe young parents can sometimes make mistakes, and it doesn’t have to define who they are for the rest of their lives. Ms. Kingston, leaving your three-year-old alone outside didn’t define you.”

The air escapes my lungs. Lauren’s lips quirk into a smile.

No, it can’t be.