Page 35 of Breaking Rules

I need to find him. He should’ve at least checked on me—no, he shouldbewith me.

Muscles tense with frustration, I stride over to Marco and tap his shoulder.

He squints at me, a smile playing on his lips. “What’s up?”

“Have you seen Jake?”

“I have,” Meg cuts in. She jabs her thumb over her shoulder. “He was over there a few minutes ago. I noticed him while you were upstairs.”

“You’re the best.” I press my sweaty cheek to hers and kiss the air.

“Do you want me to come with you?”

“No, I’m fine.” I march in the direction Meg pointed, trying to politely squeeze past others on my way. I’m so focused on pushing through the crowd that at first the sight in front of me doesn’t register. When it does, I zero in on Jake, who is talking to a girl with red curls. He has his arm casually wrapped around her waist, and her palm is pressed to his chest.

Hands balled into fists, I storm straight for them, only stopping when I’m a step away.

The girl is the first to notice me. She knits her brows together in confusion, clearly unaware of who I am. “Can we help you?”

Rage turns my vision red. “How sweet.We,” I grit out.

That’s when Jake finally notices me. As if in slow motion, his eyes widen, and in one move he releases the woman and takes an abrupt step away. If only I had showed up a few minutes later—he would’ve probably had his tongue down her throat.

“Fuck you, Jake.” Turning on my heel, I storm to the exit, ignoring him as he calls my name. I have no interest in hearing his excuses.

“Bella?”

At the sound of the familiar voice, I come to a stop. Xander stands with Meg and Marco, exactly where I left them. Where didhecome from?

“Isabella!” Jake yells catching up to me. “That wasn’t what you think.” He grabs my hand and spins me to face him, his grip tight enough to make me wince. “Regina is just a friend.”

A bitter laugh escapes my lips. “Do you really expect me to believe that?”

“Why would I lie?” With every word, his voice gets higher, and he digs his fingers into my flesh. “If I ever cheated on you, do you think I could keep it a secret? The truth always comes out. Always. I wouldn’t risk our relationship, I swear.”

“What’s going on?” Xander steps up to us, standing tall beside me.

“Isabella saw me with Regina and thought I was cheating on her,” Jake snaps, his face red with anger.

“If she were just a friend, you wouldn’t have had your arm around her. You wouldn’t have looked like you’d been caught with your pants down,” I grind out, my voice trembling. Unbearable hurt finds its way into my heart, crawling under my skin. Nothing I do will ever be enough. All my life, I’ve known this. I’ll never have love. I’ll never be cared about. I’m disposable, easy to toss when people get bored. “That was why you didn’t want me to come.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” he barks, practically vibrating.

Potent fury sinks into me, locking my muscles, making my body tense.

Hopeless, I glance at Xander. His eyes are trained on Jake, his irises a stormy blue.

“Regina hangs out with the team all the time. She is just a friend. Nothing more.”

Xander looks down at me and gives his head a slight shake.

A wave of confusion washes over me. Is he trying to tell me Jake is lying? My emotions are all over the place, and the fact that I’ve been drinking only makes the situation more complicated.

“I want to go home.” Shoulders pulled back, I clear my throat and look at Jake. “Without you.”

I need space. I need time to consider what I want from this relationship.If I even want to stay in this relationship.

“What is that supposed to mean?” Jake demands, a frown etched onto his face.

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