Page 94 of Rules

“But…” I try again, but the only thing that greets me on the other end of the line is loud beeping.

I pull the phone away and look at my screen, almost in shock. My best friend, residential pushover, just hung up on me.

For days I tried to ignore them all. I went back to my routine, hoping it would help me put a barrier between me and my friends, but when I turned my phone on today to let Lia know I wouldn’t be going with them to Andrew’s party, I got a verbal kick in my ass.

What the fuck now? How am I supposed to go back and act like nothing’s happening? Max is already asking questions. Lia’s being noisier than ever. And what about Andrew? There is no way I’ll be able to ignore him in his own house, and there is no way I’ll be able to look him in the eyes knowing what I know.

I look down at the phone clenched in my hand, realizing I don’t actually have a choice. Lia wants me there and she’ll do everything to get what she wants, including coming to look for me. And more than anything else, I can’t have that happen.

* * *

MAX

Where the hell is she?

I look down at my cards, pretending to be interested in the game when the only thing I want is to get up, find Brook and demand some answers.

I knew something was up almost as soon as I left her at her house the other day. She ran out like the devil was at her feet, and when I texted her, she didn’t answer until I threatened to come back, and even then only to tell me not to.

Then, she comes to my house today but flat out ignores me while she helps Lia haul my sister’s ass out of bed so we can all ring in the new year together, pretending all is perfect when it’s anything but.

I’m about to fold my cards when Andrew walks into the room and straight over to me, completely pissed.

“You better come and take your sister off my bar,” he hisses, barely holding it together. “I think people have seen enough of her lacy panties to last them years.”

I look at him, my eyes narrowing. Yes, he’s pissed, but there is something else hidden beneath it all that makes me suspicious.

“What did you do?” I spit, but don’t wait for his answer before I get up and stride toward the living room and Jeanette.

She’s been acting weird for days, closing herself in her room most of the time and only coming out when she has to. I thought maybe she was having one of those days, but now that I look at Andrew, I realize maybe I was wrong.

Needing to find out exactly what’s happening, I stride through the mass of people that have gathered in the living room. Hoots and hollers are so loud they can be heard clearly over the blasting music.

Swearing under my breath, I break through the crowd until I get to the bar. Slowly I lift my eyes, and when I see them, I curse again, my hands clenching by my sides.

Both Jeanette and Brook are on the bar, dancing and giggling, completely wasted.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” I grit through my teeth. But they both ignore me. Instead, they keep dancing, their asses wiggling in the air. Asses that are just at the right height for me to see way too much. “Jeanette, get the fuck down.”

Somebody pushes me from behind, making me momentarily stumble, but as soon as I regain my balance, I push them back.

“Dude, chill the fuck out,” he slurs. “Let the ladies have fun.”

Pissed off, I turn around and get in his face. “Dude.” I push him back. “That’s my little sister you’re gawking at. If I were you, I’d get lost.”

Even in the dark room, I can see the guy pale, and before I can say anything else, he scurries away.

Taking one deep breath to prepare for the disaster waiting for me on the bar, I turn around just in time to see Jeanette slip. My heart goes to my throat as I watch her stumble only to catch herself in the last second. She giggles, not even realizing she took ten years off my life.

“That’s enough.” I take the few steps that separate us and wrap my hands around her waist, pulling her off the bar and onto her two feet. I’m not sure if that’s the brightest idea, but at least this way she’s close to the floor if she decides to fall down. “We’re going home.”

I turn around to pull Brook down too, but she all but falls on me. Her body collides with mine, kicking the air out of my lungs and making me take a step back from the impact.

“Fuck, Brook!” I grit through my teeth.

When she’s safely on the ground, she looks at me, but I don’t get to say anything else because Jeanette’s drunken giggle interrupts me.

“Buuuuut, Max! I’m having fun!” What the hell did I get myself into? Rubbing my hand over my face, I feel the headache building behind my temples. “Home. Now.”

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