Page 19 of Unbroken Rules (Rules 3)

“If he can’t afford a plane ticket, I’m sure there are cheaper alternatives,” she suggests.

“It’s not that.” Kendrick’s eyes drop.

“What? Did you two make a blood oath to leave Florida together or something?” I tease, but neither Will or Kendrick reply, seemingly uncomfortable. Why are they being so weird?

I’m about to press them for an answer when my mother adds, “Well, in that case, I hope you’ll have enough space in that new apartment of yours for one more, Winter.”

Wait… did I just get forced into hosting Will for the summer?

“And if I were you, I’d start looking now. Like you said, it’s pretty hard to find a decent available apartment this time of year.” She turns on her heels, pulls Maika with her, and heads for the house.

“I’m so sorry, sweetheart,” my dad says and follows her.

The moment they are out of sight, Haze speaks.

“What a lovely woman.”

Against all expectations, I crack up.

“I told you.” I wrap my arms around his neck and lean forward for a kiss. He circles my waist with his tattooed arm, pulling me into him. For one fleeting moment, I forget that everything went to shit. To my disbelief, I’m not worried. If I’ve got him—if I’ve got this, I’ll be fine.

Yes, the situation sucks. But things could be worse. Getting an apartment was always the plan even if, for some unbelievable reason, my mother had allowed us both to live at home until we got a place. We just didn’t expect to be on a deadline.

Kendrick clears his throat, and I pull away from Haze, sending my cousin a look over my shoulder.

“You know when your mom said she hoped you’d have room in your apartment for one more?”

“Yeah?”

Please don’t tell me he’s going to ask me to…

“Make that two.”

Yep. I just got forced into hosting Will and Kendrick for the summer.

“Listen, we’ll pay for our shit and split the rent. But if he can’t stay here, neither can I.”

You have got to be kidding me.

It only takes one second.

Haze looks at me. I look at him.

He knows I don’t have a choice. They’re family. No matter what.

“Fine,” I give in.

Here I am, on a deadline to find a decent and affordable apartment to live in with the most annoying guys this world has ever known and my boyfriend, who happens to have a short temper. I mean… What could go wrong?

Seriously, Winter?

What could go wrong?

Everything.

Everything could go wrong.

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