Rule Breakers Fall Hardest (The Boys, #6)

by Micalea Smeltzer

“I don’t need your money, Hendricks. I have my own inheritance, thank you very much.” “Yes,” I cock my head to the side, “but mine’s bigger.” “Are you seriously trying to have a dick measuring contest with me? I assure you, I may be a girl, but mine’s bigger.”

“I … isn’t it too soon … honey?” He cocks his head to the side. “Darling, it’s never too soon when true love is involved. Come on, say yes. Make me the happiest man alive.”

I used to fantasize about this moment. I was certain he’d be my first kiss, my last too, and every one in between. But that never happened. Now, I’m finally getting a kiss from my childhood Prince Charming, but it’s a kiss full of lies.

Twelve-year-old me is screaming with glee because I’m kissing Daire Hendricks. Twenty-one-year-old-me hates that I like it.

But it pisses me off that if I were a guy sleeping with half the cheerleading squad, I’d be applauded, yet because I’m a girl sleeping with athletes, I’m looked at as a slut even by the guys who use me for sex.

It’s weird sitting across from someone I used to know everything about who is now a virtual stranger.

Samuel. Sammy. I finally know his name. It’s not one I would have chosen, but somehow, it feels perfect.

I need to do this on my own, to prove to myself that I don’t need my dad and his money. I’m a dad now. I have to come up with my own solutions.

The irony here isn’t lost on me. All I wanted when I was a little girl was to marry Daire and become Mrs. Hendricks. Now I’ve done it, but this scenario looks nothing like how I pictured it would.

“If you’re not nice to her, I will drag you out of this room by your ear. You got me?” I may be a foot taller than the girl and weigh a hell of a lot more, but I don’t doubt her for a second. “Got it.”

“I didn’t agree to this,” I remind her. Adjusting her hold on the sheets, she says, “The sooner you learn happy wife, happy life, the better.”

“Maybe.” He kisses her cheek. Okay, now I’m pissed. Rage courses through me, heating my blood, as I stride closer. “Hands off my wife, Cash.”

“I’m not going to ask you again,” I bite out through clenched teeth. “Take. Your. Hands. Off. My. Wife.”

Brothers—we’d go to war for each other, but we also take immense pleasure in watching one another suffer the consequences of their actions when it comes to our dad.

Despite our falling out, my dad and brothers still love Rosie.

Daire jumps to my defense, putting his body in front of mine. “Don’t talk to her like that.”

Smash

My brother has a pet name for my wife? I don’t like that. Not one bit.

“You are so fucking hot and cold, Daire. I can’t read you. I turned him down because you’re the one I always had a big, dumb crush on. Not him, or Roman, or any of your brothers. Just … you. You fucking idiot.”

But no, I’m not interested in your brother, even if he likes me. He wouldn’t be you, and I’m not cruel enough to make him second best.”

“A lot of people never have their great love. It might’ve been short, but I had it, and it was enough to last me a lifetime.”

It hurts that girls can be so vicious to one another when we should be on each other’s sides.

“I might not know exactly what those girls were saying to you, but I can guess. I wanted to show them you’re mine.”

“Because I was in love with you!” Rosie screams, throwing her arms out. Her knuckles hit the window, and she winces, then cradles her right hand in her left. “Everyone knew.” Her voice is softer, her arms wrapping protectively around her body again. “Everyone but you.”

Obviously, she’s wasted far too much time on boys who don’t know what the fuck they’re doing when it comes to women.

“Wipe that shit-eating grin off your face, Hendricks.” My smile only grows as my heart pounds harder in my chest. “You’re welcome, Mrs. Hendricks.”

Only a few months ago, I hated Daire with every part of my being. Now? I very well could be falling in love with him all over again.

It’s easy to forget how fragile life really is. We take it for granted—believing we’re destined to live until we’re old and gray and die peacefully in our sleep, but that isn’t always the case.

I’m going to make Rosie Hendricks mine in every sense of the word.

I rub my thumb against the thick band on my ring finger. I like it there. I like the message it gives. That I’m taken. That I belong to her.

“Our new mascot is pretty cute, don’t you think?” Cree holds Sammy out to me.