Page 76 of Unwritten Rules (Rules 1)

We’ve been sitting in the living room and waiting for Nicole to finish covering up what’s left of Kendrick’s wounds with makeup for an hour. Because it turns out Nicole’s a makeup artist.

Well, that’s convenient.

Most of Kendrick’s wounds have healed, but some of the dark bruises scattered across his face and neck have to be taken care of. It’s nothing a little concealer can’t fix.

To say Kendrick was pleased when he found out Nicole had been chosen by his friends would be a lie. He was pissed. Big-time. But he didn’t have a choice. So, he swallowed his pride and let his ex-girlfriend do his makeup. It was obvious that she was dying to know why he was bruised. But the guys gave her one rule and one rule only: don’t ask questions.

The dinner with Maria is scheduled for 7:00. She should be coming home from work anytime now.

“Do you guys happen to know anything about the abandoned building in front of Nicole’s house?” I ask as soon as the sound of Nicole’s heels fade out down the hall. I had to wait until she went to the bathroom to give in to the burning curiosity.

“You mean the abandoned hotel?” Will says, grabbing a handful of chips and shoving it in his mouth like a pig.

Gracefulness at its finest.

“Yes. It used to be a gang meeting spot.”

A shiver skitters down my body.

Whoever texted me was probably part of a gang. Again, all the signs point to Haze. Part of me wishes it was. But the other is desperate to get him out of my head. What can I say? I guess I got used to him annoying me every day.

Will goes back to eating and texting the same way he has for the past thirty minutes. I hear Blake say something from the kitchen about Will being weirdly secretive lately. Apparently, he put a password on his phone, which he never did before, and refuses to let anyone see it. The guys love to say it’s a girl, but he keeps on denying it.

“Why?” Will narrows his eyes.

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“No reason. Just curious.”

Will seems suspicious, but he doesn’t say anything.

“How long has it been since Adams contacted you, Canada?” he asks like I said my thoughts out loud. “We’re wondering if he got sick of you and found some new girl.”

Alex gives him a severe look. Good old papa bear Alex.

“Man, come on. More tact, please?”

“What? Somebody had to say it.”

Deep down, I know they’re probably right. Bianca was, too. She said he’d get tired of me, and he did. After all, everybody keeps on saying that he’s a manwhore.

It’s always disorienting to hear them talk about him like he’s this entirely different person. He was never that guy with me. But then again, it might’ve been exactly what he wanted me to think.

“It’s been a week or so. Why do you care?”

“Word on the street’s that the North Side’s preparing an attack. We wanted to ask if Haze knew something about it. But that would require communication, you see?”

“I’m sorry that I can no longer be your little spy.” Irritated, I get up from the leather couch.

“Where are you going?” Alex asks.

“To my room. I’m bored.”

“You’ll be back for dinner?”

They’re probably worried that the story will lack credibility if I’m not there to confirm everything these two liars say.

“Sure. Just call me when it’s time.”