Page 65 of The Rules
Crossed the distance. Closed the space. No words. No plan.
She reached for him—not careful, not composed. Just raw. Human. Desperate. She collided with him like gravity had pulled her there. Arms around him, breath tight in her throat. She held on like he was the only thing keeping her from falling apart.
Joshua wrapped her up without question. His arms came around her—tight, grounding, there.
And that was it. That was the moment.
She broke. Quietly. Completely. No sobs. Just sharp, shaking breaths against his chest, her hands gripping his jacket like she might fall through the ground. She hated it. Hated needing this. Hated how her body refused to let go.
And Joshua? He didn’t flinch, didn’t ask. He just held her like he'd done it a thousand times.
His familiar presence was a safety, grounding her in a way she hadn't expected. When his arms wrapped around her, she melted into the embrace, her body seeking solace in the warmth and safety he offered.
His voice was low— calm.
"Kath?"
She could sense the undercurrent of anger in his tone, not directed at her, but at whoever had caused her such distress.
He stroked her back, the motion soft and soothing.
"Tell me what happened," he said, voice gentler now.
She breathed in, but the tightness in her chest remained.
She pulled back slightly, meeting his gaze. Her voice was barely above a whisper.
"I—I … someone was following me."
Joshua went still, as if something had snapped beneath the surface. His grip tightened, and Kath could feel the protectiveness emanating from him, reaching a whole new level.
Katherine's breath caught in her throat as Joshua's voice took on a steely edge, leaving no room for argument. "I'm walking you home," he stated, his tone leaving no doubt that it was not a suggestion or a request.
A wave of relief washed over her—unexpected, but welcome. She hadn’t realized how tightly she’d been holding herself together until his offer gave her something solid to lean on.
Joshua must have seen it—the way her shoulders sagged just slightly, the tension slipping from her frame—because his voice came softer then, though still certain.
"And I’m staying," he said, leaving no room for argument. "Until you’re okay."
She nodded, letting Josh steer her down the familiar path.
But the moment cracked when she remembered the phone.
Ben.
Her heart stuttered.
She hadn’t ended the call.
With a jolt of guilt, she fumbled for her bag, fingers digging through its depths until they found the still-warm device.
The screen was lit—Ben still on the line. Still there.
Stilllistening.
For a second, she froze.
Then— She hitend. No words. No explanation. Just silence.
