Page 94 of Rule Breakers Fall Hardest

My phone buzzes on the bathroom counter. I cringe, hoping Bertie isn’t backing out after all, but the message is from Daire.

Daire: You were still in your bathroom when I left. I put a gift for you on your bed. Wear it tonight.

I frown at the text message.

Wear it?

I crack my bathroom door open and venture into the bedroom. Sure enough, there’s a hastily wrapped box on the mattress. I can’t help but smile at the thought of Daire wrapping this up himself.

Quickly, I tear into the paper and lift the lid. Inside, I find a jersey.

It’s blue and orange, our school’s colors, with Aldridge Hockey on the front along with an angry-looking wolf.

A giddy sensation hits me when I turn it around and find Daire’s jersey number, six, on it.

I expect the area above the number to be blank—or at the most, to sayHendricks.

But no, this is Daire. He doesn’t do anything half-assed.

Mrs. Hendrickshas been added to the top.

I trace my finger over the outline ofMrs.

Don’t cry, don’t cry, don’t cry. You’ll ruin your makeup!

It’s hard not to break down at the thoughtfulness of the gift. It’s custom, which means he had to have put the order in soon after that disastrous game, before we ever truly made up for the past. Before… Heat floods my body at the memory of what happened on the couch last week. Nothing remotely close has happened since. He hasn’t even kissed me.

It hasn’t been awkward, though.

I’m terrified to make a move, to show how much I actually want him. And by the way he watches me, so thoughtful and with what I swear is longing, I think he feels the same.

The changes are mind-boggling. Only a few months ago, I hated Daire with every part of my being. Now? I very well could be falling in love with him all over again.

I lay the shirt down on the bed, and as I pick up the box to throw it away, I find a note inside.

In case anyone ever doubtsyou’re mine.

-Daire

Feeling like I’m floating along on a high, I stick the note in my nightstand drawer, then force myself to finish getting ready. The last thing I do is put the jersey on.

I don’t bother texting Daire back. He’s busy getting ready for the game. I’d rather thank him in person anyway. Preferably with my mouth in certain places he didn’t allow me to explore last time.

I stuff my wallet with my ID into my pocket and shoot a text to Bertie to let her know I’m on my way.

Turning up the music in the car, I head toward campus, and by the time I pull up outside the dorm, I’ve already had a full dance party.

“Your bass is shaking. I thought it was an earthquake.” Bertie has to yell to be heard over the music. She reaches over and turns it down. “Are you trying—what are you wearing?” She gapes at my jersey.

I grin, wiggling in my seat. “You haven’t even seen the best part yet.”

“Show me!”

I pull away from the curb and head toward the arena. “You’ll see it when I get out.”

“Fine.” She crosses her arms over her chest. “Make me wait.”

“So,” I drawl, “what’s up with you and Luke?”

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