Page 37 of Breaking Rules

My heart surges at the idea. The anger coursing through me is dampened by the confusing emotions that only stir when Xander is involved. I honestly don’t know how to deal with them. I’m a mess, and I feel exposed. It’s not how I want to feel, especially alone…with him.

“I’m not sure,” I drawl, head down, inspecting my shoes.

“I am.” Again, he puts his hand on the small of my back and ushers me down the sidewalk. Once we climb into his Porsche, I stare blankly out the window. Being distant with him should help. Otherwise, I’m liable to do something stupid.

“Did you have a good time?” Xander asks as he pulls out onto the road.

With a scoff, I turn to him. “Oh yeah. Iespeciallyenjoyed finding my boyfriend with another girl. It was the highlight of my night.”

“I’m glad to see the real Bella is back.” He smirks, though he remains focused on the road. “So sarcastic. Why do I get the feeling you’re only like this with me?”

The nerves that always plague me in his presence are back. He’s got me there. Something about him makes me irrational.

I ignore him and answer his first question. “I enjoyed my time on the dance floor. Meg and Marco kept me company, so that was good.”

“Even though you don’t like crowds?”

I groan and look out the window. After everything that went down, why did he have to bring that up? And more importantly, why does he sound like he cares?

“Like I said, I’m more comfortable in smaller groups, but it’s not like I can’t be in a crowd. I’ve had years to get used to it.” I fold my arms across my chest.

“Years?” he asks. “What happened?”

Hints of that old panic bubble up inside me, but I force them down again. “I don’t want to talk about it. I hardly know you.”

“Okay.” That’s all he says; he doesn’t push me to open up.

The farther we get from the club, the more curious I get. Xander left his own party to help me. He stood up for me despite his friendship with Jake. They’ve been friends for close to a decade, and they’re teammates. Still, he picked me.

“Why did you do that?” I swallow my nerves, locking my hands in my lap. “It was your party, but you left it for me. Why?”

“Because I have my own plans.” He winks at me, a smug smirk playing on his lips.

I frown, annoyed by the secrecy. “Are you going to enlighten me?”

“I don’t want to talk about it. I hardly know you,” he quips, using my own words against me.Smart-ass.

“Whatever.” I straighten in my seat and watch the city pass by out the window.

“I did what was right,” he says eventually. “Miller is an arrogant asshole who can’t look past his own selfishness. He gave you zero reason to believe him, and the fucker didn’t even apologize. He said he didn’t cheat on you, but his actions make it look as if he’s lying. Then he expected you to instantly believe him.”

I am stunned. That’s what I’ve been thinking. It shouldn’t be like this. Jake is the one who should be cognizant of my feelings, yet Xander is the one who gets me.

Suddenly, his comment about how I would have to be the one to cross my own boundaries comes back to me, along with a sense of dread.

I’m afraid I just might do that.

CHAPTER13

GOOD NIGHT, ISABELLA

XANDER

August

As my housecomes into view, I discreetly study Bella. She’s fiddling with her fingers, her teeth sunk into her bottom lip. Is she nervous? Does she regret coming home with me? I never know with this girl; I can’t anticipate her moves, and it’s throwing me off.

As if she can feel my scrutiny, she peers my way. “Thank you. For everything.”

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