Rules of the Game (Rule Breaker, #2)

by Jessa Wilder

“I regret a lot of things. But I won’t regret this. You don’t want me to be an asshole? Keep her away from me.”

“We’ve been roommates for the last year, and I’ve never seen you act that cold toward anyone. I know you’ve got history there and that you’re still beat up about Marcus, but that girl didn’t deserve any of your bullshit.”

“I didn’t say anything to her.” “Exactly. You were a closed-off dick. Jax said you all grew up together. What did she do, spit in your cereal growing up?” He took another bite, waiting out my answer.

No one hugged me like he did. He squeezed a little tighter, a little longer, a little closer. I always felt like nothing could touch me when he wrapped me up like that.

When he’d call me Killer back then, it felt like an endearment. Like he was secretly whispering something sweet without the guys knowing.

The walls were covered with pictures of the school’s hockey team. Looking back at her, she wore a Huskies jersey. Jesus… She was a superfan.

stage four alarm bells were going off in my head ALERT, ALERT, ALERT, PLEASE EVACUATE THE PREMISES.

One thing was for certain: she couldn’t know that I was friends with the guys. She’d lose her freaking mind.

once I connected with Anon13, everything snapped into place.

Oh god.

Anon13: He’s an idiot. Me: Well, they can’t all be as perfect as you. Anon13: You haven’t even met me lol Me: Exactly.

I knew full well that was a lie. I couldn’t be in her orbit without being drawn in.

“Lucas.” She tried to make her voice drip with disdain, but we’d played this game before. “Killer.” The nickname slipped out before I could stop it. “Don’t call me that. Wouldn’t want people to get the wrong idea and think we may actually like each other.” Her lips curved in a slight smile, but her eyes remained bland. “You better watch out. Pipsqueak’s got fangs now.” Jax grinned, and he winked at me.

“She doesn’t look okay, Lucas.” I froze, and the muscles in my back clenched. “I know.” “I don’t know what happened between you two, but I know you’re better than this. Get your shit together.” Jax didn’t wait for my response before leaving.

“Marc—” Pain laced through her gaze, and her chest collapsed as she struggled to take a breath. I stepped toward her, needing to help, even if I had no idea how, but she took a step back, holding up her hand.

My heart pounded in my chest at the look of victory in her eyes. Her cheeks flushed with the heat of kicking our asses. “That’s your only one, Killer.” She laughed, her body relaxing into it, and it wrapped around me. It had been entirely too long since I’d heard that sound. I used to go out of my way to hear it.

She was ready, and I desperately wanted her to chase me.

She turned to me with a giant smile, and shock registered through me. What the fuck. My body slammed into the brick wall that was Alex, and I bounced back, losing my footing. He easily stole the ball while I stood fucking stunned. She’d set me up.

Jax collapsed down beside where I was already on the ground, panting. He looked over to me. “How the hell does she have that kind of endurance?” “Fucking Energizer Bunny.” I poured water over my head before sucking back half the bottle.

“I think it’s a great idea.” “You’re not playing,” I commanded, enunciating each word. She raised an eyebrow. “I’m not asking for permission.” “Oh!” Jax cheered, and I was seconds from decking him.

Lastly…shit,” Jax cut himself off. “What?” Piper huffed and tilted her head. “The last rule is no fucking you.”

“That rule can stay. I don’t want to sleep with any of you asses anyway.”

“I’m in.” Jax’s smile widened as he turned to me. “Couldn’t let us have all the fun, could you?” “Need to keep up my winning streak.” A small sound came from Piper, but when I looked over to her, she glared up at me.

A million questions ran through her gaze. Why won’t I talk to her? Why did I pull away? Why did I abandon her when she needed me most? I couldn’t answer any of them. Because she’d never forgive me if I did.

Piper lifted her shirt, revealing her smooth stomach, and my mouth went dry. I followed its path over her sports bra and right into her pissed-off gaze. Wherever the sweet Piper was, she was gone now.

“You’re my tub buddy?” “Fuck yes, Pips. Going to kick her ass.” “Like fuck you are.” I grabbed her arm and practically dragged her to the ice bath. The blonde stared up at Jax, but he just looked between Piper and me with a light in his eyes. Fucking guy saw too much.

The second her foot submerged into the water, she made a high-pitched squeal that went right to my fucking dick. At least I knew the water would take care of it before it became a problem.

She was like the fucking sun.

She shook so hard it created ripples in the water. Screw this. I reached forward, grabbing her by the hips, and dragged her backward until she sat snugly between my legs.

Her skin was smooth and silky beneath my fingers, and I momentarily short-circuited.

“I’m guessing fifteen more seconds till she’s done. You got it in you?” “Yeah, I’m fine.” Piper trembled, and I tightened my arms. “It’s okay. I’ve got you.”

“Hey, what’s wrong?” I got out and touched her shoulder, but she flinched. It felt like a bullet to my gut. I kept my voice calm and didn’t reach for her again. “What’s wrong?” She spun, and shining blue eyes met mine, rimmed with tears. “I believed you before.”

“Believed me about what?” “That you had me,” she said, and I froze.

I went to follow her, but Jax held me back with a firm hand on my shoulder. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you. She’s hurting. She needs time.”

I used to be the one she turned to when she was hurting. I broke free from Jax’s grasp and locked my fingers over my head, growling out, “Fuck!”

When he whispered, “I’ve got you,” every memory of him telling me those same words came rushing forward. The times he’d pull me from nightmares and hold me until I calmed. He stood above that cliff and convinced me so long as I jumped with him, everything would work out. It was all lies. I wasn’t safe with him at all. He’d abandoned me when I needed him. I sucked in a broken breath. He broke me.

Callused hands covered mine, and warm breath fanned over my cheek. “Breathe.” Lucas’s low command had me sucking in a breath and his scent. He gently moved my hands from over my ears, holding them in his own, and his lips grazed my ear. “Breathe, Piper. It’s okay. I’ve got you. You’re safe.”

“There you go. That’s my girl,” he rasped and placed a kiss on my forehead. “We’ll be out of here soon.”

Lucas lowered me to the ground, murmuring reassurances, but my fingers didn’t loosen. I wasn’t ready to let him go. He pressed another kiss into my head, hauled me into his lap, and ran his fingers through my hair, gently pushing it back from my face.

“It wasn’t a drill.” My voice was weak and broke around the words. Lucas ran his thumb over my cheek, wiping away tears. “No, it wasn’t. I’ve got you though. You’re safe.” “How?” I rubbed my temple and tried to clear my head. “How are you here?” His chest rose and fell against me, and he tipped his head back before saying, “I wanted to check on you after what happened at the fair. I didn’t want to leave it that way.”

“The fuck do you think is happening here? Do you really think I’d let Marcus’s little sister stay on her own after that?”

I stiffened as pain lanced through my chest at the mention of Marcus, underlined by the sheer frustration of being reduced to his little sister again.

“Really? I’m just Marcus’s little sister now? That’s not what you were saying a year ago.”

“Piper.” His voice was a hoarse whisper. “What?” “That night never should’ve happened.” “It sure felt like you enjoyed it,” I said through gritted teeth as I seethed.

“I never said I didn’t, but you were the wrong girl, and I fucking knew better. I’m sorry I hurt you. I really am.”

I lost Marcus, but I lost him too, and it nearly killed me.

I climbed under the blanket and buried my face into the shirt. As much as I’d pay for it later, his scent was like an addiction I’d been denied for too long. Tomorrow, I’d find somewhere else to stay. I wrapped the blankets over me and buried my nose into his pillow. Tomorrow.

Anon13: You’re the smartest, wittiest, most determined person I know. It’s been hard but you’ve been doing amazing. Don’t let some dick make you feel any different.

The open carton sat beside the baking tray. I bit my bottom lip and fought against the warmth growing in my chest. It wasn’t until after I finished my muffin that I realized he didn’t have one.

“Yeah, well, not all of us can be blessed with your skin tone. Some of us are the color of the inside of a banana, and we turn bright red when we’re hot. Win some, lose some.”

I needed to get over him. A slow smile spread over my lips. No better way to show him I didn’t care anymore than winning the Hunt.