Page 153 of Rule Breakers Fall Hardest

I don’t tell him, but teenage Rosie is currently giggling and kicking her feet giddily.

How is this my life?

After class,I’m headed to my car when I spot Bertie ahead of me.

I can’t say she’s flat-out ignoring me, but she’s certainly shifty.

I hurry after her before she can get too far away.

“Hey! Bertie!” I call out as she approaches the entrance to my old dorm.

She turns around, eyes widening like a deer in headlights.

What the hell is going on with her?

Luckily, she doesn’t run away from me.

“Hey,” she replies, voice soft. She clutches a book to her chest and drops her attention to the ground between us. “What’s up?”

“What’s up?” I repeat with a laugh. “Bertie, something’s going on with you, and I’m worried. I’m your best friend. I can sense these things.”

She frowns, biting her lip, and her eyes go glassy like she might cry.

My heart aches at the expression. What the hell could have her so upset?

Exhaling a heavy breath, she grabs my hand and tugs me into the building with her. She won’t meet my eyes on the way up to the room, but I keep my mouth shut, resigned to be patient. When we get inside, she throws her bag down on the table and walks into her room.

I stand in the middle of the living space, scanning each detail.

This was once my home too, but it feels like a stranger’s place now. Like it belongs to a Rosie from an alternate universe.

For a moment, I consider following Bertie, but I don’t want to push too hard, so I wait here.

She comes out a moment later and drops a plastic object onto the coffee table.

It clatters, startling me, and when it stops, my heart drops.

“Look at it,” she gasps, wrapping her arms around herself.

“Bertie.” Her name is a quiet exhale.

“Look at it,” she says again, bottom lip wobbling.

I don’t need to look. I already know what it’s going to say. “You’re pregnant.”

At my words, she bursts into tears.

“Aw, Bertie.” I wrap my arms around my best friend, absorbing her sobs with my shoulder. I guide her to the couch, and she clings to me the whole way, clearly needing to be held. There’s no way I’ll let go until she’s ready.

Eventually her sobs turn into hiccups, and she pulls away to dry her eyes.

“I’m sorry for snotting all over you.” She gives a watery laugh, wiping her face with the cuff of her sleeve.

“Eh.” I wave a dismissive hand. “I’m used to all kinds of things, thanks to Sammy. Snot, pee, poop. I’ve seen it all.”

She inhales a shaky breath and lets it out slowly. “I’m going to have a baby.” For a moment, she’s silent, then she drops her head back and laughs hysterically. “Wow, that’s crazy to say out loud.”

“You’re going to have a baby,” I repeat.

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