Page 133 of Breaking the Rules

---

Chapter Twenty

Hunter

My cell sits on the passenger seat, reflecting the sun, daring me to text Emma.

There's some way to fix this.

To soothe her.

Convince her I deserve her trust.

I need to figure that out before I push her.

The song switches to the next. Another radio hit. Damn, I have to hand it to Emma. She knows how to pick music that cuts all the way to my bones.

My thoughts swirl as I park on the street and feed the meter.

When I close my eyes, I can feel her fear. The way it furrowed her brow. Shook her voice. Curled her shoulders.

Then I open my eyes and the only thing I can feel is my thudding heart.

It's right there.

Blacklist Tattoo.

Same bright sign.

Same big windows.

Same art lining the walls.

This place was home for years.

For most of my adult life.

Now…

I know I'm not welcome here.

But the degree is up for debate.

I swallow hard as I cross the street.

A red sports car stops just in time. The driver yells a curse, but the words don't flow through my ears.

The last time I was here, Chase pushed me out the door.

I deserved it.

He has every right to hate me.

To make good on his promise and never speak to me again.

I still remember the day that switch turned. He'd scheduled an intervention a few months earlier. Issued an ultimatum—stop drinking or get out of his life forever.

I promised I'd stop.

Picked up a bottle that same night.

---