Page 21 of Rules

Everything she’s afraid of.

“Go home, Sanders.”

Her words break me out of my trance, and I start stalking behind her, anger and determination burning in my veins. “I’m taking you home.”

“I’m taking the bus.”

“It’s late.”

“It’s not the first time I’m doing it, and it won’t be the last. Go home, or find somebody else to play a knight in shining armor for. I don’t need saving.”

She shoos me off and continues on her way, dismissing me yet again, but this time I’m faster. My hand wraps around her wrist, pulling her back.

“I don’t think so.”

Her lips part, surprise shining in her eyes, but one blink and the mask of indifference is back in place.

“Let me go,” she grits through her teeth.

A corner of my lips tilts in a smile. “Not a chance.”

Cool Brook irritates the hell out of me, but I can work with the firecracker side of her.

“Let. Me. Go.”

“I’m driving you home.”

“I’m taking a bus.”

“Brook…” I say in a warning.

“Max.”

We stare at each other expectantly, fire meeting ice, waiting to see who’ll crack first. But no way am I backing down on this one.

She tries to pull her hand out of my grasp, but my hold on her is strong. I can see her wince, so I loosen my grip slightly. The last thing I want to do is hurt her, no matter how stubborn she’s being.

“I either take you home, or I’ll follow you there. It’s your choice.”

Her lips are set in a tight line. The next time she tries to pull her hand away, I let her go. She cradles her arm close to her chest, rubbing the sting away.

“Fine,” she mutters stubbornly, turning away. “Suit yourself.”

“Fine.”

“Fine.”

To onlookers, we probably look like a pair of difficult five-years-olds. But I refuse to give in. It’s not just because it’s her—although I’d be lying if I said she doesn’t intrigue me—but it’s something I’d do for any girl. The world is full of douchebags ready to strike at any moment, and nobody’s going to get hurt because I couldn’t take ten minutes to get them home safely.

Falling in step behind her, I walk her home. Because of course, she didn’t plan to take the bus in the first place. Stubborn as a mule, that one. I keep a healthy distance between us, knowing that we’ll get into another fight if I come any closer, and I was done with fighting for tonight. I wasn’t lying when I said earlier that my head is hurting. The steady throb is still present behind my temples.

Brook tries to ignore me. She probably thought I’d give up after a while, but not a chance. I feel her lingering stares every now and then, usually when she’s turning a corner, so it looks accidental in case I do catch her looking at me.

But I see them.

Just like I see her.

We walk silently for a bit.

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