Page 18 of Faking the Rules

"Not really," Declan says easily, his arm sliding around my waist in a gesture that feels simultaneously protective and possessive. "But I'm not complaining. Best thing that everhappened to me was Ellie walking into Professor Harmon's class."

The casual sincerity in his voice catches me off guard. This isn't the script we rehearsed. This is something else—something that makes my heart race and my breath catch.

"You expect me to believe you just happened to meet someone new right after leaving town?" James demands, his voice rising. "This is obviously a rebound. A way to hurt me."

"Believe whatever you want," I say coldly. "It doesn't change the fact that you and I are over. Have been since the moment I found you with Alexa."

"Ellie, please," James steps forward again, desperation in his eyes. "We were together for three years. We were going to get married. You can't throw that away over one mistake."

"She already did," Declan interjects, his voice hardening. "And from where I'm standing, it was the right call."

James's eyes narrow. "This doesn't concern you."

"Actually, it does," Declan says, the dangerous edge in his voice becoming more pronounced. "Because Ellie concerns me. And right now, you're upsetting her."

"I just need five minutes alone with her," James insists. "Five minutes to explain."

"Not happening," Declan's arm tightens around me. "She doesn't owe you anything. Not time, not attention, and certainly not forgiveness."

James looks at me, pleading. "Ellie, come on. This isn't you. Running away, hooking up with some... some jock as a revenge play? You're better than this."

The condescension in his voice ignites something fierce inside me. "You don't get to tell me who I am anymore, James. You lost that right when you decided our relationship meant so little to you that you could throw it away for a night with my cousin."

"It was a mistake," he repeats, as if saying it enough times will erase what he did.

"So you've said." I straighten, finding strength in Declan's solid presence beside me. "And now I've heard you. You've apologized. Consider your conscience cleared. But it changes nothing between us."

"We built a life together," James argues, growing more desperate. "We had plans, a future. You can't just—"

"She can," Declan interrupts, his patience visibly wearing thin. "And she has. Now, I think it's time for you to leave."

"Or what?" James challenges, drawing himself up to his full height—still several inches shorter than Declan. "You'll make me? Big hockey star throwing his weight around?"

I feel Declan tense beside me, his jaw clenching. For a moment, I fear the confrontation will turn physical.

"No," I say quickly, stepping slightly forward. "No one's making anyone do anything. James, you came to apologize. You've done that. Now please, respect my wishes and leave. There's nothing more to say."

James looks between us, defeat finally registering in his expression. "Is he really what you want, Ellie? Some athlete who probably won't remember your name a month from now? You know how these guys are."

The irony of James questioning someone else's fidelity would be laughable if the situation weren't so painful.

"What I want," I say firmly, "is for you to go back to Oregon. Go back to your life and let me live mine."

Something in my tone—the absolute finality, perhaps—seems to finally reach him. His shoulders slump slightly. "At least take my number," he tries one last time. "In case you change your mind. In case this... whatever this is... doesn't work out."

"It's working out just fine," Declan says, the steel back in his voice. "Better than fine, actually."

And then, before I can process what's happening, he turns me gently toward him and kisses me.

Not a chaste peck on the cheek or forehead, but a real kiss—his lips warm and insistent against mine, one hand cupping my face with surprising tenderness. I feel my body instantly relax into his, as if this is what it’s been waiting for. At the same time, desire flies through my body, igniting my nerve endings. Declan’s lips are surprisingly soft and firm, and there’s intention behind the kiss, whispering the promise of something more. The kiss only lasts only a few seconds, but it's enough to leave me breathless, my mind spinning with confusion and desire.

When he pulls back, his eyes hold mine for a moment—a silent question, a wordless apology. Then he turns back to James, his expression resolute.

"We're done here," Declan says, not a question but a statement of fact.

James looks between us once more, the hurt and jealousy in his eyes gradually replaced by resignation. "I get it," he says finally. "Just... be happy, Ellie. That's all I've ever wanted for you."

A hollow claim from the man who shattered my happiness without a second thought. But I nod anyway, suddenly too exhausted for further confrontation.

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