Page 10 of Rules We Break

River comes in behind me. “He’s right. We stick with the king.”

“But you’re freaking huge and we’re practically laying over each other.” I complain, but there’s no real heart behind it. I love waking up tangled between them.

“That’s the point, Love. We don’t want any room.”

The saleswoman comes toward us, seemingly recovered from her shock. “Is this the winner?”

River sits up, pulling me with him, then holds up his hand to guide me to stand. He entwines our fingers. “We’re not interested.”

There’s an edge to his voice that hints at something more and Alex’s soft chuckle tells me he heard it too.

When we’re out of the store and in Alex’s car, I’m squished in the back seat. The sports model isn’t truly designed for three people and a quick glance back from Alex has him saying, “I’ll pick up a different one tomorrow.”

“A different car?”

“Yeah, something big enough for the three of us.”

My breath hitches, I love it when they’re sweet like this. “You don’t have to.”

He arches a brow then puts the car in drive. “I want to. Now, let’s get you home so we can set up the tree.”

A thrill goes through me at the idea of our first Christmas together.

* * *

Christmas music floods through the hidden speakers in our apartment. It’s still taking me time to adjust to just how rich they really are. I have a few more years working at the hospital before they’ll pay me a decent wage but, against what I previously believed, I’m more than happy to let the two of them spend their money on me. Hell, I’m pretty sure it would hurt River if he couldn’t take care of us.

The door opens, revealing a disheveled River and Alex, dragging a cart with a massive Christmas tree on it. The smell of pine instantly filling the air and bringing a smile to my lips.

They push the cart inside and that’s when I spot the boxes of decorations. I hop on the balls of my feet, practically vibrating with giddiness, and I immediately start digging through the boxes.

River and Alex lift the tree easily, moving it to the stand I already set up, not even attempting to move me out of the way.

The box is filled with multicolored ornaments, in all shapes and sizes. Everything I could possibly want and love. Nothing like I’d expect River to have. “Where are these from?”

River blushes a pretty shade of pink and my heart skips. “I ordered them online.” He looks nervous and so unlike his normal self.

“Love them.” I say, already nose deep in the boxes again when they have the tree set up. I turn back with a string of Christmas lights in my hand that River’s eyes focus on. Tingles travel down my spine at the way he’s looking at me.

I swallow hard as images of being wrapped up in these lights flash in my brain and River’s smirk tells me he knows exactly what I’m thinking.

Alex’s phone rings before anything can come of it.

He answers. “Hey, Mom.”

I can’t make out what she’s saying but whatever it is has Alex’s shoulder folding in, and he nods his head dejectedly even though his mom can’t see him.

“No, no, it’s okay. I understand.”

Whatever she’s saying on the other line it’s definitely not okay. A pit of unease forms in my stomach and worry takes over me. By the time Alex hangs up the phone, everything about him screams disappointment.

I stride up to him and wrap my arms around his middle. It’s a testament of how he’s feeling that he doesn't give me his usual beaming smile. Instead, his lips tip up in the corner in a mockery of his usual grin.

I grab his cheeks in my hands and pull his forehead to mine. “What happened?”

“Nothing.”

“Do not nothing me. We’re a team. What happened?”

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