Page 61 of Breaking Rules

A small smile tugs at my lips. At the same time, my heart aches. I haven’t seen Xander since the day his bathroom vanity was installed. It’s my choice, but it still hurts.

“He said you should stop by and check it out.” With his hand in mine, he leads me to the front door. “I was surprised you didn’t want to be there for the install, so you could take pictures of the results or whatever.”

Head lowered, I swallow past the lump in my throat. “It’s okay. We’re both so busy. Our schedules never seem to align.”

I saw Xander from afar at the Warriors game a couple of weeks ago, and it honestly made me sad.

I miss the time I spent at his house.

I miss Milo.

And, though I shouldn’t, I miss Xander himself.

Jake lets me out first and joins me on the porch a moment later. “Have you noticed that since you stopped hanging out with Walker, things are better between us?”

Annoyance courses through me. Of course he’d blame someone else for his faults. “I think it has more to do with the both of us realizing just how much is at stake, don’t you?”

“Maybe you’re right. If a future with you is at stake, I’ll do whatever it takes.”

In response, I fake another smile and head toward his car.

* * *

For the last ten minutes,Jake and his dad have been talking nonstop about the upcoming game against Tampa Bay. Mr. Miller is very proud of his son. It makes my heart feel full. No matter what I think about them, I can appreciate that Jake’s parents love him to bits. He’s where he is now because they believed in him, and they did everything in their power to make his dreams of playing in the NFL come true.

“There you are!” Mrs. Miller calls from behind me.

When I turn, my heart drops straight to the floor. Lungs seizing, I yank on Jake’s hand.

This can’t be happening.

“Look who came to wish me a happy birthday!”

My mother follows Mrs. Miller out of the house. Her gaze is fixed on me. She surveys me, taking in my dress and my hair, her nose wrinkling. Then she shifts to look at Jake, a silly smile on her lips. In her opinion, the only thing I’ve ever done right was date Jake.

“Honey, you look fabulous,” Mother says as she leans in and kisses my cheek.

The strong aroma of her perfume engulfs me. I hold my breath to avoid the dizziness it’s sure to bring.

“With a boyfriend like Jake, you always need to look good. Otherwise, another woman might steal him away from you!”

“I don’t need anyone but Isabella.” Beside me, Jake frowns at her.

She takes a step back from me and kisses his cheek.

When she releases him, he gives her a polite smile. “It’s nice to see you, Samantha.”

“It’s nice to see you too. Both of you, actually. I can’t remember the last time I saw my daughter. Apparently Kevin and I aren’t good enough for our beautiful Isabella.” Eyes the same blue as mine flash to me.

“Or is it the other way around? Am I not good enough to be your daughter?” I ask, not a care in my voice.

Mother’s expression turns pinched, and her smile slips.

She wasn’t expecting that. I’ve always just taken her insults silently, preferring to avoid any form of confrontation. But not today. Today, I’m too fucking angry to let the slights and the backhanded remarks go.

“Isabella!” Mrs. Miller gasps. “It’s my birthday, and this is my house. Please behave. You don’t want to embarrass Jake, do you?”

“Of course not,” I mutter, hands gripped tightly in front of me.

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