Page 102 of Changing Rules

Now? The way he’s laser focused on her lips makes hot rage roll through me.

“Xander,” Marco calls.

I swallow past the boulder in my throat, working to get my shit together.

“Xander?”

Wetting my lips, I force myself to turn. “Yeah, sorry.”

He leads me to an empty seat, and as I get settled, I recognize the blonde beside me. It’s Meg’s sister.

“Hey, Liz.”

“Alexander.” She gives me a knowing smile.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I probably look weird.Weirdly jealous.

“It’s nice to see you. Again.”

“You too.” I give her a smile, though my focus drifts back to Bella and Bowman. Gritting my teeth, I squeeze my eyes shut and shift in my seat so they’re out of sight. “How are you?”

“Good, all good.” She tilts her head to the side. “I wasn’t expecting to see you here tonight.”

“Marco invited me.”

She chuckles. “I believe it. I couldn’t imagine Meg would—she looks pretty pissed. But honestly, I’m glad you’re here.”

“Thank you.” My muscles relax a little. At least someone other than Marco doesn’t hate my guts.

But it’s only a matter of seconds before I’m watching Bella again. My heart sinks. She looks so full of joy, so invested in her conversation with Bowman. Jealousy rages inside me, right alongside uncertainty. I would’ve killed for a chance to sit beside her, to refill her glass, to make her laugh, to beg her to tell me about her time in New York, about school. But more than anything, I want her to be happy.

And it’s time to admit she might be happier without me.

For forty minutes,I’ve tried to hold conversations, make jokes, and be present. I shoved my jealousy into a box and studiously avoided looking at Bella. Enough is enough.

In my periphery, she stands, and the air instantly escapes my lungs. I stay rooted to the spot, playing it cool, even though every cell in my body demands I follow her.

As she strolls into the house, she tosses her hair a little, an unconscious gesture, letting it spill down over her shoulders.

The cascade of hair breaks my concentration, sending my thoughts flying to all the nights I watched her brush it before bed, how she’d sit in front of the mirror, counting to a hundred.

Silky and bright, smelling like strawberries and coconut.

I clench my jaw and pretend to listen to the conversation Liz and the man beside her are having while I figure out how to follow Bella without raising suspicions.

“Xander?” Marco calls out as he steps out of the house. “I think someone scratched your car.” He throws a thumb over his shoulder.

With a grimace, I stand. It’s not a big deal, probably an easy fix, but I’ve been here for less than an hour. How the hell did that happen?

“C’mon. I’ll show you.”

“Thanks.” I follow him into the house, only to run right into him as he comes to an abrupt stop and turns around.

He gives me a lopsided grin. “I might have lied about your car.” Rocking back on his heels, he shrugs. “Meg is withholding sex—my punishment for inviting you. So, I thought, what else do I have to lose?”

I blink at him, stuffing my hands into my pockets. “I’m sorry, man. I hate that I’m causing you so much trouble.”

“Oh, please.” He huffs. “She’ll be the one to jump my bones.”

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