Page 7 of Breaking Rules

Meg grunts, bringing me back to the conversation. “Why are you with him?”

That’s a question I find myself asking more and more often. With every passing day, it becomes clearer that Jake and I are too different.

“I don’t know,” I breathe out. “I really don’t.”

Her sigh makes the phone line crackle. “If you’re looking for a reason to break up with him, you should start reading the blogs.”

That twisting in my stomach turns into a ball of dread. “Did he make headlines again?”

“Not really, just seen with the Warriors’ new quarterback and a few other guys.” She lowers her voice, her tone sympathetic. “You’ve been together for six months, living together for three, and as soon as he has a spare minute, he goes out. And he’s always photographed with girls. He’s clubbing like he’s still single.”

Bile rises in my throat at the mental image. “You think he’s cheating on me?”

“I don’t know,” she says, sounding defeated. “I haven’t seen actual proof, but I don’t have a good feeling about it.”

I toss the blanket aside and get out of bed. “Maybe it’s not like that.”

“It definitelylookslike that.” Her tone softens further. “Is everything okay? You can tell me.”

If only that were true. For years, I kept so many secrets, and after a while it became a habit. It’s easier this way—at least people don’t pity me. They can’t resent me for my past or blame me for my mistakes if they don’t know about them.

“Everything’s fine. He and I were happy before. I want to see if we can be like that again.”

Meg is quiet for a long time. Finally, she says, “Just remember, you don’t have to be with him if you’re not sure he’s the one. I know finding an apartment you can afford on your own will be tricky, but I can help you look. Your happiness is important.”

She hit the nail on the head. Since I started having doubts about my future with Jake, I’ve looked for apartments when I can, but I can’t afford a single one on my own.

Ugh, if only I hadn’t been blinded by his affection and given up my apartment so quickly.

“Thank you,” I murmur as I step into the closet. “Can I call you later? I want to change my clothes and wash my face.”

After we hang up, I put my phone on the shelf and pull on a pair of shorts and a loose tee. Then I head to the bathroom to start my morning routine, hoping it will help me clear all the thoughts about Jake racing inside my skull.

* * *

As I paddown the stairs, I check my email on my phone. Since I finished college, I’ve been working for my cousin as an event organizer while also helping him with paperwork and bookkeeping. We have three birthday parties scheduled this week, and from the look of the request lists, I’ll be busy. Honestly, it’s exactly what I need to distract myself from?—

A shrill sound pierces the air, and the thought dies abruptly. Frozen at the bottom of the stairs, I strain to listen. So far, the house has been quiet. Deserted, even. I assumed I was the only one here. Now, a moan floats through the air, then comes the clatter of something heavy hitting the wall.

What the actual fuck?

My face and neck flush impossibly hot, and fleeing to the bedroom crosses my mind. I cringe at the thought, push myself from the railing, and slowly head toward the guest room. A foot from the door, I stop, realizing it’s not pulled all the way closed. If I want to, I can peek inside. Do I want to, though?

Screw it. If my boyfriend is cheating on me, I should know.

With a palm pressed to the door, I silently push it open. As soon as the people on the bed register, relief hits me like a tidal wave. It isn’t Jake. It’s Xander and a blonde I don’t recognize.

Mesmerized, I watch as Xander moves his hips faster and faster. His neck, back, and arms are covered in the most incredible tattoos, so many drawings and whimsical lines blended together. A drop of sweat runs down his back, straight to his butt…and damn, his ass is perfect.

My heartbeat quickens; my nipples harden. Heat crawls up my neck to my cheeks, and my knees wobble.

Why the hell am I so turned on? I shouldn’t be here. I shouldn’t watch them…and yet I can’t make myself take a step back.

Xander wraps his arms around the girl’s waist and flips them around so she’s on top.

I nibble on my bottom lip, shifting a little, my panties dampening. Dang, I would’ve?—

A breath gets stuck in my throat. Xander is staring at me with a sly grin on his face.Fuck.

---