Page 38 of Rule Breakers Fall Hardest

“You act like you’ve never seen a cock before.”

Hearing that word,cock, coming out of his mouth, has my stomach performing somersaults.

“Not one like this,” I admit. The second the words are out, I wince. The last thing I want to do is compliment the asshole. “Wait.” I lean in, squinting. “What’s that?” I point at its head. “Is that thing pierced?”

I’ve only heard of such things, never seen it in person.

“Uh, yeah.” He rubs the back of his head, still not at all fazed by his nakedness.

“When did you do that?” I blurt.

He shrugs, keeping his gaze averted. “Drunken bet sophomore year. Hurt like a bitch. Couldn’t have sex for months, but chicks love it.”

I swallow thickly. I’ll just bet they do.

“Anyway,” I inhale a breath, “can I crash here?” I clasp my hands beneath my chin. “Please?”

I can’t believe I’m pleading with Daire, of all people, to save me from the ghost, but I’ll get no sleep otherwise.

Sighing, he surveys the mess I’ve made with my blankets and mattress. “Might as well. You’re already here.”

“Thank you! You won’t even know I’m here.”

He frowns, brow furrowed. “I already know you’re here.”

“It was a figure of speech.” I straighten the sheet and scoop up my blankets. “This place really is haunted, though. You’ll see.”

“Mhm,” he hums, watching me wiggle around in an attempt to get settled. “Impossible that it could be a draft or the house shifting.”

“Are you going to put pants on now?” I ask, swiping a pillow off his bed because I’m not about to go back to my room and get one of mine. The one I had tucked under my arm is probably on the floor in the hallway.

“Nope.” He settles on his bed, pulling the covers over his body.

It’s quiet between us for so long I’m convinced he’s fallen asleep.

But then, from the darkness, he says, “I’ll take a picture for you.”

I roll over so I’m facing him. “Huh?”

“A dick pic. That way you can look your fill any time you want.”

With a squeak, I roll away again and bury my head under my blanket. “That won’t be necessary.”

He chuckles, amused by my obvious discomfort. “Good night, Rosie.”

I don’t respond, but I think it’s a while before either of us goes back to sleep.

11

DAIRE

Last year,I missed Thanksgiving with my family since I had an away game that weekend. This time, I have no legitimate excuse to avoid going home, despite how badly I wish I didn’t have to face this.

We board her family’s private jet, since Cash called dibs on my dad’s. Ironically, when my dad called to tell me Cash would be using the jet to fly home from Colorado, he’d already arranged for me to travel with Rosie, since we’re literal neighbors. It would’ve been the perfect opportunity to say, “Cool, I was going to fly with her anyway, since she’s my wife.” But I kept my mouth shut.

It’s been easy enough until now to ignore reality.

My family can’t know the real reason I married Rosie. They have to believe this is real, just like everyone else.

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