Page 57 of Rule Breaker

Jace waved them over. One was blonde and the other brunette. Both pretty, if you were into women with big smiles and big…

“Jace! Oh my God, where have you been hiding?” The blonde one yelled out and reached for him. “Sam and I have been searching for you in this crowd forever!”

“I’ve been making the rounds.” He hugged both women and then turned to the group. “Hailey and Sam, this is Kayden, Maddox, Dane, and Jackson.”

“Are you all on Jace’s hockey team?” Hailey asked as she looked up at Kayden. “Well, you must be for sure.”

Kayden blushed and took another sip of his beer.

“Are you guys gonna stand here in the corner all night?” Sam asked. “I want to dance. Who’s with me?”

Jace volunteered, and so did Dane and Jackson.

“I’m out,” I replied.

“Come on,” Hailey encouraged. “Kayden?”

“Okay.” He put the empty bottle aside and glanced at me. “You sure you don’t want to join us?”

“Go already,” I snapped and turned away, reaching for the cooler and another beer.

Anything to wash away the bitter taste of jealousy that was now burning a hole in my gut. Was Kayden going to hook up with her? I was gonna down another drink and get the hell out of here before I had a chance to find out.

“One dance, and I’ll be back, Mad,” Kayden said.

I refused to look at him, waving him off, gulping down half the beer in record time. I needed the buzz to kick in. Fast.

“You know what? I’m gonna sit this one out too,” Jackson added. “I need another beer.”

Dane looked puzzled, but nodded. The entourage of five pushed their way to the middle of the room and onto the makeshift dance floor.

Fuck it. I reached into my pocket for my cigs and lit up.

“So, you and Kayden are chummy,” Jackson stated.

I shrugged, exhaled, and turned to look at him. “Completely against my better judgment.”

“Nah. Kayden’s a sweet guy. No one can resist him.”

That was probably true as well. I glanced at the crowd and spotted Hailey talking to Kayden, and soon they were dancing together. Close. Really fucking close.

I pushed off the wall and turned around.

“I gotta go.”

“Kayden wants you to stay,” Jackson replied. “We all want you to stay. And you should. Stick around. Hang out with us.”

“Look, you guys are cool, but I think Kayden’s good for the night. And I’ve had all the socializing I can handle.”

Jackson took a sip of beer and nodded. “Okay. Want me to walk back with you?”

“No,” I bit out. “I mean, I’m good. Thanks for the offer.”

I took one last drag and shoved the cigarette butt into my half empty beer bottle.

“Don’t forget to drop by the third floor,” Jackson added.

I nodded, even though I had no intention of ever doing so. Then I gave a reluctant wave and made my way around the perimeter of the room, careful to ensure that I didn’t get anywhere near Kayden. I didn’t want him to spot me leaving.

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