Page 73 of Rule Breakers Fall Hardest

“And he steered you toward a minivan? You could’ve gotten something like mine.” I toss a thumb at my SUV.

“But look.” Excitement lights his eyes. “The doors just slide open.” He pushes a button on the fob, and both rear doors slide back. “And there are these anchor things in the seats back here that the guy said make the car seat more secure.”

“I can’t believe you got a minivan,” I mutter, surveying the behemoth in the driveway. Truthfully, it’s not the worst thing I’ve ever seen. It looks slightly more like an SUV than other minivans I’ve come across, but…

But it’s still a minivan.

Daire Hendricks is driving a minivan.

Uncontrollable laughter bubbles out of me before I can stop it.

He crinkles his nose. “What’s so funny?”

“What do you think your friends are going to say about this?”

Lips pursed, he examines the minivan, then focuses on me again. “I don’t really care. I’m a dad now. This is safe and reliable.” He pats the hood. “Besides, they’re busy with their own lives.”

The hint of hurt in his voice when he says that last part pierces my chest. “I’m sorry.”

He shrugs like it doesn’t bother him.

“It’s senior year,” he reasons, pushing a button to shut the door, “we were bound to grow apart.”

He can rationalize it all he wants, but I think his friends are shitty. He needs them now more than ever.

But I don’t have time to lecture him on that. Not that he’d want me to anyway.

“I’m running late. But this,” I point at him where he stands beside the minivan and make a circle motion with my finger, “makes it worth it.”

I turn to get in my car, but before I climb in, I pause and yank my phone out of where it’s buried in my coat pocket. Whipping back around, I take a photo of Daire.

“What’s what for?” he asks, face scrunched with annoyance.

“Photographic evidence—Bertie is never going to believe me otherwise.”

He huffs something unintelligible as I get into my car.

With a wave, I’m off, and somehow, I make it to class on time.

“Let me see it again.”

I hand Bertie my phone, and she cackles all over again at the picture of Daire standing beside the minivan.

“I can’t believe he bought a minivan.” She passes the device back. “Send that to me.”

“For what?”

“For whenever I need a laugh.” Her eyes dance as she takes a sip of hermargarita.

I had no plans of going out tonight, but Bertie sent me a text inquiring about drinks, and I couldn’t say no. I miss her, so I jump at just about any opportunity to hang out.

Harvey’s is a staple for Aldridge University students. The building is huge, housing a massive bar in the center and a dance floor.

I’ve spent a lot of time here in my years at Aldridge, most of them pining over the athletes who hang out in the large U-shaped booth in one corner. I used to watch Daire with his friends, cursing myself and the longing that plagued me.

I can deny it to myself all I want, but I never stopped missing him after our friendship came to an end.

Back then, the booth was frequently occupied by some of the school’s most popular guys. Mascen Wade—the son of a famous drummer—and his closest friends Cole and Teddy, along with Daire, his friends Cree and Jude, and others I couldn’t name. Mascen, Cole, and Teddy have since graduated, and none of the other guys are here tonight. I recognize Luke there, though. He’s got his fingers wrapped loosely around the neck of a beer and his eyes focused on the table. He doesn’t seem involved in the conversation with the crowd around him.

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