Page 62 of Unwritten Rules (The Sunburnt Hearts #1)

I’m already tethering on the edge of losing my shit, having steered clear from tipping over this past week by using every ounce of restraint I possess, but the bomb Raya just dropped is the last straw.

Zoe is the reason why Tatum quit her job and walked away.

She knew sending the photo to Phil would put an end to us, and I’m sure she did it with great pleasure and a smile on her fucking face.

If she thinks I’m going to magically fall back into her bed like nothing has happened, then she’s more deluded than I thought.

“I have to go,” I rasp out, reaching for my gym bag. I don’t bother zipping it up before slinging it over my shoulder. “Thank you for telling me about this.”

Raya’s eyes widen as she follows me out of the room, rushing to fall into step with me. My long stride makes it difficult for her to do so.

“Where are you going?” she demands breathlessly. “You better not do anything stupid, Sin.”

We step into the almost empty car park, save for a few cars belonging to the staff. My Audi clicks to life as we approach it. I don’t bother looking at Raya as I toss my bag into the back seat and reach for the driver’s door handle.

“Just something I should’ve done a long time ago.”

Raya watches helplessly as I get into my car, the engine roaring as I tear out of the parking lot. Hands tightening around the steering wheel, I lean back into the seat and exhale a sharp breath.

I hope I don’t regret what I’m about to do. But I know if I don’t do this, I’ll never forgive myself for staying silent.

The sharp rap on the door is enough to alert the whole street to my presence. Having people look out their windows at the ruckus isn’t enough to stop my insistent banging though. The muscles in my back tense as I straighten my spine, eyes locked on the polished wood.

Behind the door, hurried footsteps rush forward.

Within seconds, I’m face to face with Zoe—honey eyes wide and confused.

She’s in nothing but a thin white robe, leaving nothing to the imagination.

But my eyes aren’t on her body, they’re locked on her face, a thunderous expression mirrored in her pupils.

“Sin,” Zoe chuckles nervously, eyes searching my face. Manicured fingers comb through the end of her shoulder-length hair while the other wraps firmly around her waist. “What are you doing here?”

“You took it a step too far.” I’m not beating around the bush or limiting my emotions to protect hers.

“What you did last week…” I shove my hand through my hair, tugging at the roots.

“It was beyond fucked, Zoe. You had no right to follow me and take photos without my consent. And then to go and send it to Phil knowing what would happen…”

“You left me with no choice,” she defends, voice rising an octave.

“I told you that you would regret treating me the way you did, and now you’re seeing the fallout from those choices.

” A smug grin slips onto her face. “I can’t believe it was the coach’s daughter you were shacking up with this whole time.

I should’ve fucking known. It was so obvious with how you would look at her when you thought no one was watching. But I was always watching, Sin.”

“You’re psychotic,” I seethe.

“And you’re a fucking liar,” she spits in response.

Hands fisting at my sides, jaw ticking, I hold her gaze. “This is your final warning, Zoe. If you don’t stay the fuck away from me, I will make sure your ass is booted from the cheer squad.”

For the first time, the colour drains from her face. Checkmate .

Zoe jabs her finger into my chest, features twisting in anger as she spits, “You wouldn’t dare, Sin.”

A smirk tilts up my mouth, one that holds so much venom it could kill a grown man. “Fucking try me. If you so much as look in my direction or speak my name, I will do what I can to get you off the team. It’s not a threat, Zoe, it’s a promise.”

Her lips form an O as her finger falls away from my chest. She swallows hard, contemplating her next move.

Threatening to have her kicked from the team wasn’t something I had considered before the drive over here.

But I needed something significant—something that holds a lot of meaning to her—to hold over her head.

Cheerleading is all she ever talks about, next to fame and money.

So what better way to get off her back than threaten to take away the one thing that brings her the most joy?

Do I have the power to get her kicked off the team? I’m not sure, but she doesn’t need to know that.

“You’re an asshole, Sin,” Zoe seethes, a fire burning in her honey eyes.

“Yeah, an asshole who is done with your shit,” I retort hotly. “Leave me alone, Zoe. I mean it, or I’m going to make life extremely difficult for you.”

Zoe opens her mouth, but closes it upon seeing my arched brows, daring her to try me so I can make good on my promise.

She stays silent.

For the first time in a week, relief floods my body as one battle I’ve been fighting has come to an end. I take a step back and shove my hands into the front pocket of my hoodie. Zoe tracks my movement with her eyes, still at a loss for words.

I don’t say a word as I turn on my heels and stalk to my car parked haphazardly on the street. Having said all I needed to, my steps feel lighter and my head a little clearer.

Winning this battle is the first of many raging around me. My biggest challenge is figuring out how I’m going to get Tatum back. She may have been willing to walk away, but I’m not. And I will fight to the end to show her just what she means to me.