Page 135 of Rules

From the corner of my eyes, I can hear her friends ushering Maddy away. Just in time for the siren of the ambulance to echo in the distance.

My thumb swipes over Jeanette’s wet cheek. “Hold on, help is on the way.”

* * *

NOW

Blinking away the memories, I try to inhale sharply, but the breath gets stuck in my throat. Burning. It feels like the walls are closing in on me and there isn’t enough space to breathe, much less think clearly.

Gasping, I grab the car keys.

I need to get out of here.

Now.

Just as I’m walking out of my room, the doorbell rings. The sound echoes through the house, making the throbbing in my forehead even more painful.

Dammit.

“Coming!” I rasp, taking two steps at a time. I rush down before whoever’s on the other side of that door presses the buzzer again.

Usually, I would be less of a dick, but after the phone call with my dad, all I want is to be left the fuck alone.

Panting slightly, I pull open the door.

“What are you doing here?” My voice is harder than necessary when I see the person standing on the front porch, but I can’t help myself.

She’s the last person I want to see right now.

“I—” Brook takes a step back like I slapped her, and for a second I feel bad, but then all the irritation and anger come rolling back. She was the one who wanted to break things off only a few short days ago, and now she’s here.

I step outside too, closing the door behind me. “If you came to talk to Jeanette, she’s asleep, barely got out of the hospital, and it would be best to let her rest.”

Brook swallows audibly before lifting her chin just a tad in the air. “I need to talk to you.”

Of course she does.I run my hand through my hair.And of all times, she picks now, when I can’t stand the thought of being next to her.

Being next to anybody, really.

“This really isn’t the best time.”

I need to get out of here. And fast. Before I say something I’ll regret.

Lifting her chin a little higher, Brook takes a step closer, her hand curling around my forearm. “Max, this is…”

I close my eyes, gulping down air, but the only thing it does is get stuck in my throat.

“Not now, Brook!” Forcefully, I pull my hand away, breaking out of her touch. “Another day. I really can’t deal with whatever you have to say right now.”

“B-but…” Those wide eyes look at me like I killed her puppy. Her lower lip trembles, but she sucks it into her mouth as she takes a step back, not wanting to show me her weakness.

Good girl, go away before I destroy you too. After all, it’s what we Sanders are best at.

Without giving her one last look, I turn around and run to the car. I can hear her calling my name, but I don’t slow down, because if I do, I’ll regret it.

Chapter Fifty

BROOK

---