Page 28 of Breaking Rules

“Sure,” Miller says, brow wrinkled as he studies me. “It’s already brewing.”

“Great.” I slide back into my seat and smile, a new plan taking shape in my head.

The night of the welcome party, I had a rough idea of how I wanted things to go. Now, I’m certain I’m on the right track. Exposing him to Bella and making her leave him might be the perfect way to play this. Taking away the person he deems his would absolutely be the sweetest revenge.

CHAPTER10

PERFECT MATCH

BELLA

August

It was barelyeight a.m. when I headed out for a run. With so much disappointment built up inside me, it was the best way to let off some steam.

I should’ve stood up to Jake. I’m still frustrated with myself for letting him treat me that way. That dinner was his idea, and yet he did nothing to help me. I should’ve left the moment he came home from the gym.

When I returned to the living room, dressed in sweatpants and a loose tee, he turned on his supportive-partner persona, promising to buy me a new dress to replace the ruined one. He fell all over himself gushing about the cheesecake I’d made, but the act fell flat. He only behaved that way because his teammates were there. His reputation matters more to him than anything—that hasn’t changed since high school.

The moment they left, though? He warned me I should’ve been more careful and chastised me for not cleaning up before I left to change my clothes. None of it hurt me. I let it roll off my back, head low, nodding as if I agreed.

I’ve survived way worse.

It’s impossible to hurt me anymore, after all the pain I endured as a child, but he succeeded in making me angry. The idea of not causing trouble was drilled into my skull until it was all I knew. It taught me to bottle up my emotions, to retreat inside myself and only show the world what they wanted to see. Last night, the urge to stand up for myself tore me apart, but my brain kept insisting I should be silent.

It came as no surprise that my brain won the battle. Again.

I slept in the guest room on the first floor, though I lay in bed for hours, mentally slapping myself for staying at his place at all. I should’ve gone home with Meg. When I remembered Xander and his blonde fucking in the bed I was tossing and turning in all night, my emotions only battled more violently.

All my muscles are sore and achy when I come back from my run, but my mood has improved a ton. After a quick shower, I dry off, collect my hair into a high ponytail, and put on a floral dress.

I sneak out of the bathroom quietly, hoping to leave without having to speak to Jake.

“Babe?”

Fuck. Heart plummeting, I turn.

Jake sits up in bed, rubbing his eyes. “Where are you going?”

“To meet with Xander. He picked out a design, so now we need to discuss next steps.” I step in front of the mirror and quickly apply some mascara before I turn back around. “What are your plans today?”

“Dunno,” he groans, falling back onto the mattress. “I figured I’d hang out with you.”

“I won’t be gone long,” I tell him. “Two hours, max.”

“Okay.” He yawns. “I’ll be waiting for you. Do we have anything to eat?”

“There are leftovers.” I shuffle close and give him a quick peck. Before I can back away, he catches my wrist and pulls me on top of him. Brows pinched, I press my hands to the mattress and push myself up. “What are you doing?”

“How about a quickie?” His hands slide down to my hips, keeping me firmly in place.

A quickie?This motherfucker. First, I’m still angry with him. Second, I don’t have time for that.

“Sorry. I need to get going.” I try to wiggle out of his grip, but he only holds me tighter. “Jake, this isn’t funny.”

With a roll of his eyes, he releases me. “You don’t have five minutes for me?”

“Five minutes?” I snort and sit up. “We’re never that quick.”

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