Page 145 of Rules

If Brook wants to disappear, we won’t find her.

* * *

What the hell am I doing here?

It’s dark, and the snow is falling heavily. Even though I just turned off the engine as not to draw unnecessary attention to myself, the cold slowly but surely has started to creep inside my car.

My stomach rumbles loudly, and as I shift in my seat, I feel my stiff muscles ache.

I was supposed to go home, get something to eat and take a hot shower to wash away the soreness in my muscles if I planned to play tomorrow, but I couldn’t escape this nagging feeling inside of me.

Yes, I’m still pissed at Brook for doing what she did, but the worry I felt for her safety was overwhelming.

As soon as I sat down in my car, the memory of Brook standing on my front porch the other day assaulted me.

I need to talk to you.

I could see the desperation in her eyes, thefear, yet I drove her away without listening. Without even giving her a second to explain.

Was I part of the reason she left?

Maybe if I wasn’t so stuck in my own ass, maybe if I’d have given her a chance to explain…

A shadow stumbles down the street. It’s too dark to see who it is, but I can feel my blood buzz in anticipation as I watch the person near.

Maybe it’s Brook. Maybe she didn’t leave, but just chose to stay away…

But it doesn’t take me long to realize it’s not her. It’s a woman, older by the looks of it. She climbs the stairs of Brook’s building, almost tripping over her own feet on the way up. The only thing that saves her is the fact that she’s gripping the shaky railing like her life depends on it. I guess it does.

In utter silence, I watch the building, trying to figure out which of the windows is Brook’s.

Shame settles in my gut. I don’t even know which floor she lives on. What else did I miss? What else didn’t I bother to ask and she kept it to herself?

Where are you, Brook?

I don’t want to accept that she’s gone, but the sinking feeling inside of me begs to differ.

Where are you?

Chapter Fifty-Three

BROOK

Entering the sleek brick building, I take a moment to look around myself. Rich cream-colored walls are covered with paintings that even from afar look like the real deal and not some cheap copy. Expensive mahogany furniture is filling the small lobby: receptionist desk on one side with two leather sofas and a small coffee table on the other. A delicate chandelier is hanging off the ceiling, giving the whole room a warm look, although I can’t feel it. Everything in here is just too much. Over-the-top intimidating. Even the potted plants look like they were specially bred just so they could be put in this high-class office that belonged to the future mayor of this town.

Taking a deep breath, my mind starts debating if this was a good idea as I walk toward the receptionist’s desk, but I shut it down before it can get out of control.

This is theonlyidea I have. The only option. I wouldn’t be here if there was anything else to do.

The young woman sitting behind the desk lifts her gaze to meet mine. She’s in her early to mid-twenties most likely. Her blond hair is curled in loose spirals, face covered in makeup that probably took an hour to apply and is more appropriate for going to the club than working in the office. Her white blouse, the only thing I can see behind a high-top desk, is unbuttoned, showing off her ample cleavage.

“How can I help you Miss?” she plasters a smile on her red lips, but I can see the way her eyes take me in, judging me. With one swipe of her eyes over my frame, she deems me unworthy, a nuisance that doesn’t belong in this luxurious office.

Honey, if you only knew…

“I’m here to talk to Mr. Hill,” I say shortly, refusing to leave her an opening to send me away easily.

Brown eyes pop out at my brisk, no-nonsense voice. She opens and closes her mouth a few times, but no words come out. Finally, she snaps it shut and looks down at her computer. I can hear her typing quickly, probably checking his schedule. “I’m sorry, but Mr. Hill’s schedule is full at the moment.”

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