Page 88 of Breaking Rules

“We’ll never know unless we try,” I murmur.

“You are our savior, Bella.” Tom stands and stretches. “I need to go to bed.”

I stand and collect our mugs. “And I need to see Aunt Millie before she falls asleep.”

“Go ahead. I’ll take those and make sure the guest room is made up.” Ben carefully takes the dishes from my hands, then nudges me toward the living room. “See you tomorrow.”

“Goodnight, boys.”

“Babe,” Tom says, catching my arm. Leaning in so Ben won’t hear us, he whispers, “Alexander likes you. Trust me—I can sense these things.” When he steps back, he gives me a gentle smile.

My heart pangs. Talking about their relationship distracted me. It was a reprieve from my concerns about Xander and the plan I still need to make for my breakup with Jake. Now? All those gloomy thoughts fill my mind again.

“Night, Tom.” All the way up the stairs, I think about what Ben said about Xander, about that girl who tried to commit suicide and him being the one to rescue her. Something is missing, and I can’t figure out what. How does Jake’s broken nose fit into the picture? Is she the girl Jake told me about when we first talked about his friendship with Xander?

God, I need the whole story. I’ll ask Xander forallthe details about his past with Jake. These little bits of information aren’t enough.

* * *

As I closethe door to Aunt Millie’s house behind me, I turn and close my eyes, soaking in the sun’s rays. The weather is unusually warm for the end of October, but the wind that scatters over my skin still makes me shiver. I zip up my leather jacket then pat my pockets, looking for my phone so I can order an Uber.

Movement in the driveway startles me, and when my gaze clashes with Jake’s, my pulse skyrockets.

He’s leaning against his SUV with his arms crossed over his chest, looking far too casual.

I thread my fingers through my hair, only to pull my hand back and fist it when I realize it’s trembling.

This is not how I wanted to see him for the first time in two weeks.

With a deep inhale, I steel my spine and force myself to move his way.

“What are you doing here?” I ask, making sure to keep a couple of feet between us.

He raises his brow, his scowl deepening. “That’s what you want to know?”

“Yeah.” I swallow thickly. “Because I remember telling you I needed a break.”

“The break is over. It’s time to stop this bullshit.” He drops his hands and pushes off the car, towering over me. “I’ve given you more than enough time to get your shit together, and I’ve let all the unanswered calls and texts slide.” He flings his arms wide, and I flinch on instinct, taking a step back. “I’m done being patient. It fucking stops now.”

I wince at his loud voice but force myself to stand tall. “That’s not how?—”

He wraps his palm around my wrist and hauls me toward him, knocking the air from my lungs. In a voice so cold it freezes the blood in my veins, he whispers, “You’re not listening, Isabella.You are my girlfriend.” He squeezes my wrist, his digits sinking deep into my skin. “My girlfriend who left me all alone at my mom’s party for everyone to see, including my parents. I don’t particularly like being a laughingstock.”

I grimace. My resolve slowly evaporates. “Jake, let me go.”

“Tell you what,” he continues, as if he doesn’t hear me. “You can play this game for three more days. I’ll leave you alone until Sunday, but then you’ll bring your ass to the stadium and watch me play. You’ll sit with the other girlfriends and wives and cheer us on. Got it?”

A memory resurfaces in my mind, and my skin crawls.

The bathroom door opens, and Kevin steps inside. He turns the lock then zeroes in on me, eyes burning with an energy I’d recognize anywhere.

“Your mom went to see her friend.”

He steps into me, and I shuffle away until my back hits the wall.

“Stop these games, Isabella. We both know your cunt is desperate for my dick.”

He grabs my shirt and hauls me to him. I push him away, pounding at his chest. It only makes him laugh.

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