Page 182 of Unbroken Rules (Rules 3)

She buried me under a mountain of questions about Haze the instant I got into her car. I didn’t tell her a thing about what happened last night, but I didn’t have to. Turns out, she knew we were in there when she locked the door. She heard us talking when she came down. She even told Kass, Will, and Alex not to take my calls. I considered murdering her for five minutes, then decided I needed a ride more than a dead best friend.

“Yes, I’m sure,” I breathe out. I understand where she’s coming from. Me? Purposefully getting anywhere near Lauren Kingston after what she did? If you’d told me I’d find myself in front of her new place a few days ago, I would’ve laughed in your face. But after I got out of work early, I met up with Judy for a bridesmaid dress fitting. We talked about everything and anything. Somewhere along the twists and turns of our conversation, she convinced me to confront my mom about an issue that’s been gnawing at me my whole life.

My biological father.

Hearing Lauren bring him up on Haze’s recording only increased my curiosity, and the woman may not be a part of my life anymore, but if there’s one thing she owes me, it’s a goddamn name.

“Thanks for the ride.” I reach for the car door.

“Do you want me to wait out front? I can drive you back to your dad’s after,” she offers.

“Would you? It shouldn’t be too long.”

“Of course. I’ll be right here.” She nods.

I smile gratefully. Our friendship is slowly but surely getting back on track.

“You’re the best.” I climb out of her car and walk toward the building hesitantly.

My phone goes off in my pocket.

Unknown Number: I can’t believe you left me butt naked and asleep. Kendrick found me. Not cool, Kingston.

The dopiest grin of all time spreads across my face.

How did he even get my new number?

I do feel bad about leaving him like that, but I couldn’t have been there when he woke up. If I’d so much as seen his smile, heard his voice, kissed him, I would’ve wanted to stay, for good, and the last thing I need is to get sucked into this vicious circle with him again.

Without texting back, I shove my phone inside my pocket and enter the unlocked building. Apartment 11, I repeat to myself as I drag my feet down the hall. I come to a sudden stop in front of mommy dearest’s door and knock.

Maybe she’s not home.

I consider running back to Allie for a second. Then noises flare on the other side.

I hear her distant groan. “Just a minute.”

Someone’s in a good mood.

The door swings open and a complete stranger comes into view. The woman before me is merely a shell of the person I knew, a pale copy. My once perfectly neat mother is wearing an oversized, stained gray T-shirt and joggings. Her hair is a mess, and a cigarette dangles off her lips. Since when does she smoke?

“Winter,” she says coldly and draws the lit cigarette away from her mouth. “What are you doing here?”

I notice an empty liquor bottle on the low table in the living room from over her shoulder. So much for getting sober to win Maika back, huh?

“Just thought it was time we had a chat.”

She raises an eyebrow. “About what?”

“Can I come in?” I’d rather not have her tell me about my biological father in the middle of the hallway.

She doesn’t seem too pleased by my request but grants it anyway, sidling aside to let me in. Her apartment isn’t doing much better than her appearance. Don’t get me wrong, it’s well decorated, just so incredibly messy that I debate on asking her if her roommate is a fifteen-year-old teenager. She beckons to sit at the kitchen table. A cigarette butt holder containing at least five packs lies in the center.

“If you’re here to gloat and relish in my misery, don’t bother. You’ve already ruined my life.”

I bite back a scoff. I ruined her life? What about my miserable childhood? When do I get that back? How about my mommy issues? When do they go away?

“I’m not. I’m here to ask about my dad.”