Page 76 of Rule Breakers Fall Hardest

After paying our bill, I gather up my to-go boxes and head out. It’s strange, leaving alone. I can’t remember the last time I didn’t go home with a guy after a night at Harvey’s. My, how things have changed.

Once I’m in the driver’s seat with the doors locked, I shoot Daire a text that I’m on my way.

It’s almost muscle memory to head back to campus and the dorms—so much so that I find myself ready to turn out of the lot in that direction before course correcting and turning toward downtown instead.

I have to stifle a giggle when I pull into the driveway beside the minivan. I’m not sure I’m ever going to get over Daire’s dad-mobile.

With the back door open, I snag my backpack and slip it over my shoulder, then pick up the to-go boxes. Cursing when I reach the door, I set the boxes down at my feet to search through my backpack for the house key. Before I can get my hands on it, though, the door opens. I take in Daire from head to toe. Blond hair still slightly damp from a shower, curling at the ends. A gray Aldridge U sweatshirt hugging his muscular frame. Down my eyes go, taking in the loose gym shorts and stopping at his bare feet.

“I heard you pull in,” he says by way of explanation.

I arch a brow, bending to retrieve the boxes, but he snatches them from the ground before I can.

“Sounds like you were waiting for me.”

He shrugs, but he doesn’t deny it, which brings a stupidly big smile to my face.

Once the door is locked behind us, I follow him to the kitchen, where he puts the boxes in the fridge.

Popping his head out, he holds up a bottle of wine. “Do you want a drink?”

“Just water, please.” I set my backpack on the counter and pull out the books and materials I need. It’s late, and the last thing I want to do is schoolwork, but I should get a jump-start on it.

Daire fills a glass with ice and water, then he sticks a straw in it like I always do. “How was your time with Bertie?”

“Good.” I smile, feeling all warm inside at the memory of Luke asking her to dance. “I left her dancing with Luke.”

“Luke…?”

“Covey. On your team.”

Daire’s lips part, and his eyes go wide. “Seriously?”

“Mhm,” I hum, cracking the lid to my laptop to see how much life the battery has left. “He seems into her.”

He scratches at his jaw and turns away. “That’s shocking.”

I close my laptop with asnap. “What’s that supposed to mean?” There’s more bite in my tone than is probably warranted, but I can’t help but rush to Bertie’s defense.

“I didn’t mean it like that.” He spins around and lifts both hands in defense. “Just that Luke doesn’t really go out, and when he does, he tends to stick to himself. I know he hooks up some, but it’s rare. He’s a scholarship student. He’s serious about all this. He wants to go pro.”

He’s certainly good enough to go that route.

“Good for him.” I pull out my charging cord and plug in my laptop. “I’m going to shower. Are you going to be up for a while? I thought I’d come back down after and do some homework.”

Nodding, he turns to rummage through the pantry.

Daire isalwayshungry. I guess it makes sense. He’s an athlete, after all. But it’s been an adjustment for me, as well as a stark reminder that while I might not live with my parents anymore, the way my mom used to monitor what foods I ate still haunts me. I have to remind myself often that Daire’s snacking is not excessive. Logically, I understand that there’s nothing wrong with having a snack, but being in his proximity like this has shown me that even though I’ve tried so hard to heal from it, some trauma lingers.

“I’ll be down here.” He shuts the pantry door.

I leave my stuff and head upstairs to my room. I’ve kept the space simple. That way, if we get caught with a social worker needing to do a home visit, it looks like a typical guestroom and not like my husband and I sleep in separate beds.

While the water warms, I reach for my speaker and turn it on so it can connect to my phone.

The EDM playlist I click on is probably not something most people would think I’d like, but the fast-paced music, usually accompanied by a booming bass, has always soothed me.

Under the spray, I work the sweet, floral-smelling shampoo through my long hair. As I rinse, watching the white soap suds swirl down the drain and disappear, my thoughts drift to Daire. How he greeted me at the door and chatted while I unpacked my things. Almost like he missed me. I gave up hope that our relationship could be repaired a long time ago, even as some little kernel inside me still stupidly yearned for him. But was it stupid? After tonight, I can’t say for sure…

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