Page 43 of Breaking Rules

“No. I slept at Xander’s house.”

Ben drops the spoon he got out to stir sugar. It falls on the floor with a ding. He’s staring at me, wide-eyed and slack-jawed.

“What?” I ask.

“Wasn’t it Xander’s party?” Ben picks up the spoon and drops it into the sink.

“It was,” I confirm.

With a sleepy groan, he slips into the chair across from me. “Did he give you his keys?”

“No. He stood up for me. He told Jake to cool off, to give me some time. Then he left the club with me.”

“Wow, maybe people really do change. In college, he was a first-class asshole. The Xander I knew would’ve never taken his friend’s girl’s side. Never.” Ben’s face lights up with a smile, but it dies as quickly as it appeared. “Though maybe there’s another reason he was being such a gentleman.”

“What’s that?”

“Keep in mind, I transferred in when they were seniors. Plus, I never hung out with the football team, but I heard rumors. Jake and Xander were more like frenemies than friends. They were always competing for the same girls—like, so competitive I’m surprised they didn’t lose their spots on the team.” He leans back, holding his mug.

“Jake told me they had problems because of girls.”

“Problems?” He laughs heartily, barely avoiding spilling his coffee. “Ask your boyfriend who broke his nose senior year.”

My stomach sinks. “Xander broke it?”

“According to rumors. Though maybe you should ask him.” He takes a deep breath, leveling me with a heavy stare. “Be very careful with Xander. Maybe he’s changed. Maybe he’s a better man now, but I wouldn’t put it past him to use you to get to Jake.”

“Oh.” I set my mug on the table, worried the coffee will only worsen the way my stomach churns.

“Oh?What does that mean?”

“Xander flirts with me all the time. At first, he’d make comments that made me uneasy,” I say quietly. “I told him to stop, and he did. For the most part.”

“Did you tell Jake about it?”

“Yeah. He dismissed me. Said I’m not Xander’s type. Said he’s a natural flirt.”

“Xander definitely got around in college. Yeah, that was a long time ago, but I still don’t like this situation.” He leans across the table and covers my hand. “Don’t let this dude get into your head.”

Before I can respond, my aunt appears. “Bella! What a pleasant surprise.”

“Aunt Millie, I’m sorry if I woke you up.” I stand and wrap her in a tight hug.

“Oh, I’ve been up. I’m glad you’re here. I barely see you lately.” She returns the hug and kisses my cheek before she steps back and looks me over. “This dress looks wonderful on you. What have you been up to?”

“I was at a party.” I shoot a glance in Ben’s direction, silently communicating that I don’t want to talk about my argument with Jake. I don’t want Aunt Millie to worry about me. “I stayed with a friend and thought I’d stop by and see you on my way home.”

“Do you have time for breakfast?” She ambles into the kitchen and opens the fridge.

“Yeah, I’d love that.” With a smile, I drop back into my seat. “I have the entire day.”

“Must be my lucky day.” She shoots me a wink.

My insides light up in the way only she can make them. Dear God, I love this woman.

I stay with them until seven p.m., avoiding the inevitable as long as possible. Jake texts several times, asking when I’ll be home, and Xander checks in as well, telling me that Jake called him. I ignore them all.

Jake’s house is the last place on Earth I want to be, but after dinner I call an Uber and head there anyway, working up the nerve to face the issue now that I’ve spent the entire day running from it.

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