Page 105 of Unspoken Rules (Rules 2)

“Stop being so… charming. Nothing’s changed.”

“Yet,” he taunts.

“I thought I’d made myself clear earlier.”

“You did. You were perfectly clear. I don’t have your trust anymore. So I’m going to get it back. I’m going to earn it.”

“You mean you’re ready to tell me everything?” I let myself hope for a brief second. As always, he becomes uncomfortable and shuts down as he balances his weight from one foot to the other. This is my answer. “I see. Enjoy the party, Haze.”

By the time I find Mia and Kass, the guys are back with our drinks and already done with theirs. I bring the plastic cup to my lips and take a huge sip I’ll most likely regret in a few hours. Maybe it’s the heartbreak. Maybe it’s to feel better. I don’t know. But one thing’s for sure…

I want to forget.

Haze

The heat is unbearable. The house is so packed it’s nearly impossible to move around the crowd without smelling what everyone had for dinner. She doesn’t seem to mind, drinking and laughing with her friends. She’s the most beautiful girl here, and she doesn’t even know it. She’s completely clueless, as always. That’s just Winter being Winter.

I’ve been talking with some guy from school for over an hour now, but I can’t stop glancing in her direction. Not going to lie, I only came to this lame party because I hoped that she’d be here. She says she needs space. I can give her space.

I mean, I’m like five feet away from her.

That’s enough space, right?

She’s drinking a lot—like a lot—and I hate it, but I don’t have a say in anything she does anymore. Damn it, Haze. What’s wrong with you? Why can’t you just tell her? Why are you so messed up?

I notice a guy from the varsity team walk by her and turn around to get a second look. He’s staring at her ass. Anger tears through me. I know exactly what he’s thinking. She’s wearing a black dress that shows off all the right curves, and I don’t know if it’s the fact that I can’t have her anymore, but I’ve never wanted to take her upstairs and make her scream my name more than in this very moment.

This is new for me. I’ve never missed someone’s presence. Yes, I miss her body, but for the first time, I also miss… everything. I miss her sticking her freezing feet to my legs at night. I miss her smell. I even miss her trying to push me off the bed in her sleep.

I’m brought back to reality by my phone buzzing for the twentieth time tonight. The guy I was talking to says something about needing another drink, and when I don’t reply, he walks off. I press ignore on Trevor’s call and push my phone deep in my pocket. My guys have been harassing me all day. Word that I was back in town spread a lot quicker than I would’ve liked. They weren’t supposed to find out this fast. I get it. I’ve been the worst leader possible, and I know me leaving out of nowhere and feeding them bullshit excuses is not going to go unpunished.

I did it because they wouldn’t understand. Hell, I don’t even understand. I’ve tried, but I can’t possibly comprehend what this woman did to me. How she and only she can make me want to change. To be better…

“Hey, sexy.” A high-pitched voice rings in my ear, and I curse under my breath.

Bianca.

I analyze her smudged makeup and her lipstick, that’s so bright it could blind you, then focus on her outfit. She’s definitely dressed to impress.

“Hey,” I say, my eyes wandering back to Winter.

“Hey? Is that all you have to say? Hey? I’ve been texting you nonstop. Did you not get my messages? Where have you been?”

“Around.” I shrug.

“How could you not tell me you were back in town?”

A guy the size of a giraffe steps in front of us, his frame blocking the view. And by view, I mean Winter.

“I was busy.” I take two steps sideways to see around him.

Great. Guess I’ll just add “turned me into a stalker” to the list of things Winter Kingston did to me.

“Well, now that you’re back…” She bites down on her lip. “There are other things you could get back to.”

“Thanks, but no, thanks.”

Winter laughs at something that Ryder douche said, and I wince. Come on, Winter, it’s so fucking obvious that he wants you. Can’t you see? I know because I used to look at you that way. I used to and I always will.