Page 82 of Unwritten Rules (Rules 1)

He’s nice, he’s funny, and he’s… well, Haze Adams.

As for Kendrick, I bet he’s wondering whether or not it’d be okay to stab him with a fork. On the bright side, Haze did behave like he promised. He’s been sweet, polite, and he made sure not to do anything that might result in Kendrick slapping him with the pizza box. It’s 9:30. I’m surprised we made it this far without a conflict of some sort.

“Well, thank you so much for dinner. It was great talking to you, but I’m afraid we have to go,” Haze says just as we finish throwing the paper plates away.

“We?” Kendrick says through gritted teeth.

That’s the first time he’s spoken to Haze all night. So many questions must be spinning around in his head right now: Why did he show up? How did he know about the dinner? Is something going on between them? What the hell is this?

“Yeah, we’re going on a little adventure tonight. Aren’t we, sweetie pie?” Haze smirks.

I swear he is calling me the most ridiculous nicknames on purpose.

“Yeah.” I press my lips together.

“You two have fu

n.” Maria hugs both me and Haze. “It was great to meet you. Take care of my niece, okay? She’s like a daughter to me.”

Something shifts in his eyes. I can’t tell what.

“Of course.” He nods.

As Haze leads the way toward the front door, I ignore Kass and Kendrick’s furious glances. I can hear Kendrick thinking, Don’t you dare walk through that door. My eyes connect with his. I give him an apologetic look before stepping out of the house and following Haze into his brand-new car. There’s so much Kendrick doesn’t know or understand.

“What? No more motorcycle?”

“We have a long ride ahead of us. I thought you’d be more comfortable in a car.”

Going on an adventure to an unknown location with Haze Adams?

It could either turn out to be a great idea…

Or the worst one I’ve ever had.

T H I R T E E N

I Like You

“Where are you taking me?” I ask for the third time. Haze keeps his eyes glued to the road. He’s a stubborn one, I admit. But what he doesn’t know is—I’m worse.

“Earth to Haze?”

Still no answer.

“I love this song.” He turns up the radio to spite me.

I said it before, and I’ll say it again: Haze’s subject-changing skills will never cease to amaze me.

“Can you stop changing the subject?”

He arches an eyebrow. “Can you stop being curious?”

“We’ve been driving for an hour and a half. Can you blame me for wanting to know?”

“We’re going somewhere really nice, I promise,” he says, rolling the window down to let the night breeze into the car.

“Last time you said that, we ended up trespassing on the roof of an abandoned building.”