Page 34 of Unbroken Rules (Rules 3)

I should’ve told him sooner. I never intended to keep it from him. But I also never thought I’d have to see Caleb often after we went out to celebrate, so why bother telling Haze about the time I ruined my longest friendship on one of the worst nights of my life? He didn’t tell me about all the girls he slept with.

I see the pieces of the puzzle connecting in his eyes. “He’s… He’s your first time, isn’t he? He’s the guy that sucked.”

Caleb makes a face. “Okay, ouch.”

If awkwardness could kill you, I’d be six feet under by now.

“That’s why you were acting so weird,” Haze says, more to himself than me.

“I wasn’t hiding it from you, I swear.”

“Why do you think she didn’t tell you, bro? We have history. She just met you,” Caleb cuts in, taking a threatening step forward. Haze tilts his head, warning him.

“Guys, stop,” I say, panic taking over me. This is getting out of control. Caleb’s anger lessens when our eyes meet.

“I… I’m sorry.” Caleb shakes his head. “I think I had too much to drink. I’m going to head home.” He heads for the door.

“Would you look at that, he says smart things sometimes.”

“Haze!” I scold him.

r /> “What did you just say to me?” Caleb’s face twitches in anger, and he strides back to us. God he has no idea who he’s dealing with. Haze could destroy him with his eyes closed.

Goodbye, Caleb. It was nice knowing you.

“You heard me.” Haze’s arrogant expression could set off the calmest person on earth. Caleb attempts another step, but my hands fly to his chest.

“Cale, stop! Go home, please.”

Haze scoffs. “Yeah, go home, Caleb. Go dream about my girlfriend because that’s the only way you’ll ever have her in your bed again.”

We all gasp.

Holy shit.

It seems to happen in slow motion, yet too quickly for me to keep up. Caleb shoves me out of the way and puts up a fist, launching it at Haze, who easily dodges the incoming hit. Haze captures Caleb’s fist midair and bends him down, twisting his arm behind his back. We hear a cracking sound the human body definitely shouldn’t make, and Caleb whimpers in pain.

“Are you fucking insane?” Kendrick yells at Haze, stepping into the action and barely tearing them away from each other. Caleb winces as he holds his arm, while Haze stands there, blinded by rage, chest rising and falling with heavy breaths. He glances around the room, takes in every scared eye set on him, every shocked face. But the one that seems to hurt him the most… is mine.

A mix of emotions collide in his blue eyes. Regret, pain, anger. I know him by heart. I know exactly what he’s thinking when he gives Caleb and me one last look and turns around.

“Haze, wai—”

Then he’s out the door.

9

Mistakes

THEN

I’d never sat on my bathroom floor. I’d never noticed how high the ceiling was or how uncomfortable the tiles were. But I’d also never locked myself in a room with a bottle of rum to ugly cry on my birthday either. So, I guess tonight was a night of firsts.

Throwing my head back with a sigh, I watched the room spin and clumsily wiped the tears burning my eyes. The party was still raging downstairs. Twenty-One Pilots boomed out of the living room speakers, making the walls shake and barely drowning out the sound of glass breaking in the distance.

I hoped it was my mom’s crystal vase.

I hoped it was something she loved.