Page 53 of Breaking Rules

Xander’s words about Cindy come back to me. I believe him, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want to ask Jake about her. After the incident at the club with Regina, I can’t help but be suspicious.

I press my phone to my ear. “Yeah?”

“Isabella, baby, I’m still at my parents’ house. Mom asked me to stay for dinner, and you know how that goes.”

In the background, his mother laughs, and his dad responds, though I can’t make out the words.

I stand and cross the room. “Are you staying there tonight?”

“Probably. That way I won’t wake you up.”

“Okay.” I ease onto the bed and lie back.

“Did Walker give you the measurements you needed?” He’s being polite. He doesn’t give a damn about my work. When I tried to show him, he didn’t want to see the designs his friend chose or what I liked the most.

“Yeah, everything’s fine. Actually…” I take a deep breath and garner the strength I need to force the next words out. “When we were at Thierry’s, a girl came in, and when she recognized Xander, she came to our table. She asked me to say hi to you. She said you know her. Her name is Cindy.”

“Cindy?” he asks, his voice a little too high. “What does she look like?”

“She’s blonde. Curvy, with big boobs and long legs.” I don’t mention that Xander told me everyone on the team knows her. This is Jake’s shot to be honest with me.

“I don’t think I know her. If I do, I can’t place her,” he says dismissively.

“Hm. Xander said she was at the club with you guys the night of his welcome party.”

He’s silent for a moment, and when he speaks again, his tone is harsh. “Well, ifWalkertold you that, thenof courseshe was with us, andof courseI know her. How could I not, right? Who fucking cares?! There were all kinds of people partying with the team. I’m Jake Miller. I should know everyone—every random bitch, every stupid fucker.”

I lick my lips, my heart thudding loudly in my ears. “Why are you being so defensive? All I said was?—”

“I heard what you said. I’ll be home soon.” With that, he hangs up.

I put my phone on the nightstand and crawl under the covers. Closing my eyes, I shut everything out, mentally removing myself from the situation I created by bringing up Cindy. I lie quietly, unmoving, begging for sleep to take over.

* * *

“Isabella…”

My eyes flutter open, and for a moment I don’t know where I am. The room is dark and quiet. Behind me, the mattress dips, then Jake is hovering over me, his brow wrinkled. “Did I wake you up?”

“Uh-huh.” I cover my mouth with one hand to stifle a yawn.

“I told you I’d be home soon. Why didn’t you wait up?”

“Sorry. I accidentally dozed off.” It’s a lie, but it’s easier this way. I prop myself up on my elbows.

He backs off a little, his grayish blues roaming over my face. A very calculated breath leaves his mouth, and he asks, “Why did you ask me about that girl?”

Hurt and irritation battle inside me. “Because I’ve never seen her before, yet she somehow recognized me. She asked me to say hi to you. She said you told her I was a homebody.”

“Wow, so I not only know her, but I also talk about you with her?” He throws his head back and barks out a laugh. “Isabella, do you have any idea how nuts that sounds?”

“But Xander?—”

“What?” he all but growls. “Xander what? Did he tell you I was cheating on you?”

“No.” I force myself to stare Jake down, keeping my emotions in check. “He told me Cindy was partying with you guys at the club, that she left with someone from the team but it definitely wasn’t you.”

He chews on his bottom lip, as if my answer surprises him. Then he narrows his eyes. “Doyouthink I’m cheating on you?”

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