Page 62 of Rules

Once I get to the end, my hands fall to my lap. I lift my gaze to look at Brook, who’s been waiting patiently for me to finish reading the test. She is still smiling, a twinkling light shining in her green irises. “You were right.”

“Of course I was.” Her smile widens even more.

“I got an 82.”

“You did. You can do this, Max. There is more to you than a hockey player.”

The exam, now lying in my lap, draws my attention. I look down once again, still not believing it. But the more I look, the more real it seems.

Brook’s words ring in my ears on repeat, as a smile slowly spreads on my lips.

“I can do this.”

Chapter Twenty-One

MAX

“Later!” I yell over my shoulder to the few guys I know before hurrying out of the classroom. My heart beats wildly in my chest, my sweaty palms gripping the paper in my hand.

The hallway is crowded. And as I try to break through the mass, my classmates greet me; girls flirting, boys wanting to discuss upcoming games, but I ignore them all because my mind is set on finding one person and one person only.

With my free hand, I dig my phone out of my pocket, but the only thing that greets me when I light the screen is my unanswered message.

Where are you?

What the hell is it with this girl and not answering her phone?

Disappointment washes over me, but I push it away almost as quickly. Then again, this is Brook we’re talking about. The girl probably has the oldest phone known to man. I’m surprised it’s even working.

I guess I’ll just have to find her myself.

Turning the corner, I try to think of where she might be. It’s midday, and although she loves to spend as much time in the art room as possible, she usually does it before or after classes. During the day, she’s normally hiding in the library. I’m about to change my direction when a flash of red catches my eye.

Stopping in my tracks, I watch over the heads of my classmates, trying to see if that was actually Lia’s head peeking out or not. Because chances are, if this is Lia—not like I’ve seen many, if any, other girl with that particular shade of red hair in Greyford—Brook will be somewhere close by.

As though I summoned her, people who have been standing between us move, revealing her to me. She doesn’t see me yet, but I see her. All five feet nothing dressed in ripped jeans and a black tee. Lia’s hand is looped around hers as they walk. Lia must have said something, because Brook’s head tilts back, neck exposed, her ponytail swaying with the movement as she laughs. And although the hallway is noisy, I can hear it. A slightly raspy sound, carefree and real, rolls in the air, making the fine hair at the nape of my neck stand.

Swallowing the lump that suddenly formed in my throat, I start moving. In the distance, I can hear my name being called, but it’s dulled by the blood pumping through my veins.

Lia is the first to see me, but before she can say anything, I wrap my hands around Brook from behind. Her body is tense as I pull her in my arms, her back crashing to my chest. I can hear her surprised sigh, but then her body relaxes as though it recognizes mine. Not wanting to overthink it, I lift her in the air and spin us both around.

Her head tilts back, leaning against my shoulder, her eyes meeting mine. “What the hell do you think you’re doing, Sanders?”

I laugh at her loud shriek, but give us another spin just for the sake of it before putting her back on the ground and turning her to face me.

“An 85,” I say, shoving the paper in her face.

Her breathing is still labored, a confused frown between her brows. She takes the test from my hands, straightening the crumpled pages, her eyes scanning the words.

I’m buzzing with barely contained energy. When the teacher returned the exams, Brook was the first person I thought of. The first one I wanted to share this with.

The furrow slowly disappears, and I can see the moment she realizes what she’s holding. Her head snaps up, and I only get to see a flash of a smile before she squeals again, jumping at me.

I’m so surprised, I almost lose my footing. Her arms wrap around my neck, legs hanging in the air above the floor as she squeezes tight.

“I knew you could do it!”

The lump I thought I pushed down is back. I pull her to my chest so she doesn’t fall down, returning her hug. Fighting with all the emotions clogging my throat, I listen to her soft giggles.

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