Page 124 of Breaking the Rules

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Chapter Nineteen

Emma

Why is it so bright in here?

My eyelids flutter open then squeeze shut.

That isn't the soft white light of a beach morning.

Which means it's not early.

Which means I'm already late.

Fuck.

I force myself to roll out of bed. My feet hit the ground. My hands go to my hips. My eyes stay closed.

My head throbs as I stumble to the bathroom.

I push the door closed. Click the lock. Flip the light off.

There. That's better.

That's a reasonable level of illumination.

My reflection stares back, ragged and tired. My hair is a limp tragedy. My makeup is smeared. My under-eye circles are dark.

I might as well have a sign on my head readingI drank too much last night. Please, Hunter give me a lecture. Then start poking my bruises. Ask all those questions I can't answer.

If he wants to know to tell Brendon, he can go fuck himself.

But if he really does care…

If I really can trust him…

God, I want that.

I want him.

I want to be able to sit on a bed next to him, climb into his lap, kiss him like the God damn ship is going down.

I go through my morning routine. Shower. Wrap a towel around my chest.

Step into the hallway prepared to pretend his stares annoy me.

But the house is quiet. Empty.

He's not here.

He doesn't work today, but he isn't here.

I guess it's possible his claims about having a life were true. It's possible he's somewhere besides the gym. That he's not making a point of avoiding me.

I find my cell. Pray it's not as late as it seems.

It is. It's a quarter to eleven and I'm due at Inked Hearts thirty minutes ago.

Thank God I'm the only one who checks the schedule.

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