Page 11 of Breaking the Rules
Right on cue, the front door opens.
Hunter steps inside with a takeout bag curled under his arm. His blue eyes flit from Brendon to me.
"What did you get?" I turn to Hunter. Ignore my brother's stare.
"Glass noodles and green curry," Hunter says.
"Thanks." I meant Italian pasta, but noodles are noodles.
"You bought her dinner?" Brendon asks.
Hunter nods.
"I got that." My brother reaches for his wallet.
Hunter shakes his head. "No way in hell."
Brendon nodsfair enough. "Em is gonna stay here for a while."
Concern fills Hunter's blue eyes. "Should I—"
"No. She needs someone around to look out for her." Brendon turns back to me.
"What about Hunter?" I mean, he's not in the headspace for casual sex. And I'm not supposed to fuck with him. "Should I look out for him too?"
"Yeah." Brendon's voice is serious. "You should. You good for that?"
"Oh?" I bite my lip.
"Yeah." Brendon looks between us. "Keep each other honest."
"Sure." I offer Hunter my bestawesome that we're roomiessmile. It's not good. It's more of anoh my God, I saw you naked an hour agoblush.
He smiles back. Drops the bag on the kitchen table. "I'm gonna shower."
"But you—" I zip my lips. No commentary on his recent shower. No need to put that idea in Brendon's head.
"Start without me." Hunter motions to the food then crosses the living room and moves up the stairs.
Brendon waits until the bathroom door shuts to move close enough to whisper. "Seriously, Em. Don't."
"Don't what?"
"I saw the look." His gaze flits to the upstairs. "Don't fuck with him. He's been through a lot."
"A lot meaning…"
"I won't ask about the apartment again," he says.
He doesn't have to adddon't ask what the deal is with Hunter.
I get the message loud and clear.
The tortured bad boy has a secret.
And it's none of my business.
