Page 81 of Unwritten Rules

“No.” I thrashed against his grip.

He didn’t budge.

Stupid man strength.

“Are you mad at me?” His tone was teasing, and his expression became dangerous.

“Brent. So help me God, let me goright now.” I used as much force as I could to yank my hands downward to get him to release me. No one would put their hands on meeveragain.

He released and showed me his hands. “Fine. Now what?”

Anger grew inside me. He acted like he didn’t know me, sure. That made sense considering we were dealing with a lot more than just a simple hookup. Being seen with him moments after the tabloidal drama with Garrett was not something I wanted anyway. But to kiss her in front of me was such a brutal move. It showed he really didn’t care like he said he did.

“Find Kelly. Get to the next stupid fucking party. That’s it. You want to help? That’sallI want from you and nothing more.” I pushed past him to get downstairs and out to the backyard.

The sea of people awaited me and keeping my head down was going to be an impossible task. I didn’t want them to see me and act like a bunch of starved piranhas, but it was inevitable with my face embedded into their minds in the current climate. Phones were out and a few snapping pictures and calling things out to me. Those pictures would end up on social media, on some random headline, and worst of all, Evans’ desk.

Ignoring them and their chatter, I started texting Kelly.

Me: Kel we need to get to afterparty now

Keeping the screen on, I breached the back door and on the porch. My eyes were peeled for her wild brown hair and usual stand out outfit.

“Circle of life. Or whatever they say.” Brent’s voice invaded my space again. He flicked open his cigarette case and offered me one. Just like that first night.

Part of me wondered if any of these things would have happened if I never got on that stupid motorcycle with him. Never talked to him, even.

“Don’t ignore me when I’m standing right in front of you,” he said.

I stared at the cigarette hanging out of his mouth. How could he be so chill about everything all the time? The constant something happening must be a regular occurrence to these people.

“I’m not here to be chummy with you.”

“Not what you said when–”

“Stop.”

My phone buzzed. Thank God.

Kelly: where u at? ill meet u

Me: back porch come alone plz

Kelly: okayyyyyy weirdo

Brent let out a puff of smoke, looking at me expectantly. “So?”

“She’s coming out. She’s found. You can go now.” It was tempting to shoo him away, but that would be taken as me being playful or something. There was no way I was in the mood for him, and it showed.

He snatched my phone from my hands and held it out of my reach. He was typing something with the one hand he held far above me while I started grabbing for it. Still typing, he used his free hand to push my head away until he was finished.

All while balancing that stupid cigarette in his mouth. “Ah, much better,” he said, handing my phone back.

I glared at him. My screen was back on the homepage and all apps were closed so I didn’t know what he was doing. “What did you do?”

“Since another man wants what’smine, I figured the least you could do was let me have your phone number and you can call me when you need me to crash another date.” He loosely pulled the cigarette from his mouth, flicking the ash from the end.

“You deservenothingfrom me,” I huffed.

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