Page 18 of Rule Breakers Fall Hardest

I could walk away and forget all about this.Him. I’ve ignored him for years. I could certainly do it again. But if I do it again now, I’ll always feel guilty, especially if it ends up costing him a relationship with his son.

Worst of all, I don’t like the idea of him doing this whole fake marriage thing with someone else. Envy for a faceless, nameless girl rises inside me.

“No, no.” I shake my head quickly. “I’m in.”

I’m possibly the biggest idiot on the planet for not taking him up on his offer to bail out of this whole mess, but I can’t back out now.

“Good.” He lets out a breath and gives me a cautious smile. “When’s your last class of the day?”

“I’m headed to it now.”

With a nod, he releases his hold on me and steps back. “We’ll get the marriage license after. I’ll meet you outside the dining hall. Make sure you have your social security card, and license too.”

Though panic once again washes through me, I dip my chin. “Okay.”

“Okay,” he echoes.

For a long moment, the two of us stand there, watching one another like idiots.

“I… uh… better go.” I toss my thumb over my shoulder and take a step back.

“I’ll see you soon.” With that, he turns on his heel and strides away, towering above many of the other students shuffling their way to their next classes or just hanging around and catching up.

The whole way to class, I give myself a mental pep talk, but by the time I enter the classroom, I don’t feel any better.

Sure enough,I find Daire outside the dining hall just as he promised, his hair damp from a shower. He probably went to the gym while I was in class. It wouldn’t have made sense for him to go all the way to his off-campus housing just to turn around and come back to get me.

“I could’ve met you there,” I grumble as I approach.

“And chance you not showing up?” He tugs on the strap of my backpack, pulling it easily off my shoulder despite the weight. “Not happening.”

I roll my eyes. “I wouldn’t have done that to you.”

Because, apparently, I’m too honorable for my own good.

Outside, I follow him toward his sleek black Porsche 911, curious about whether he still trades cars as much as he used to. He went through at least five cars just while we were in high school. Last I remember, he had a motorcycle too.

“You know,” I start as I reach for the door, only to be gently moved aside so he can open it for me, “you’re going to have to get a new car.”

His lip curls as he looks from the sports car to me, then back. “Why?”

“It’s a two-seater. Where are you going to put Junior? Strap him to the roof?”

“Fuck.” The curse is a low sound.

I smile as I slide into the buttery smooth red leather seat, pleased with myself for thinking of something he obviously hasn’t yet. It’s a shame the Porsche needs to go. It’s gorgeous. He could always keep it, I suppose, but what’s the point?

Daire’s phone automatically connects when he starts the car, and EDM music blares from the speakers.

He turns the volume down with the push of a button on his steering wheel, buckles up, and backs out of the parking spot. Despite the fancy cameras that show him a view all the way around the car, he puts one hand on the back of my headrest and cranes his neck so he can look out the back window. It’s kind of hot, the way his bicep is flexed at my eye level.

Turning back around, he puts the car into gear. The enginepurrs, the low vibration sending a shiver through me.

“When are we telling our parents about this?” I ask after several minutes of silence. “After the deed is done?”

He rubs his jaw with his left hand, then quickly graspsthe wheel so he can use his right to change gears as we navigate the small-town streets.

“I think that’s best.”

---