Page 78 of Breaking Rules
Chapter Twenty-Two
TRAIN
Iwalkedout of school with Austin.
“Dude,” Austin said. “I think I should be there when you talk to Ferris so you don’t end up in the back of a police cruiser. “Seriously, we have two games left. Coach will have a fucking coronary if you get caught. You won’t play in the game on Friday. And your old man will have your balls on a platter.”
At lunch, I’d filled him in on everything that had happened with Montana that morning. “Someone is fucking with Montana, which means they’re fucking with me. Nina isn’t going to confess that she vandalized school property even if she did. And Ferris isn’t, either. All evidence points to Montana.”
We dodged kids hurrying to their cars.
“You’ve fallen for her, haven’t you?” he asked.
I released a breath. There wasn’t any reason to deny it. I had fought with every fiber in me not to date girls this year. But Montana wasn’t just any girl. “Yeah. I guess I have.” Confiding in my best friend felt as though a weight had been lifted.
He shoved his hands in his jeans pockets. “Does she know?”
Austin and I stopped at a shade tree, the same one I’d found Montana at that morning. She and I had agreed to meet in the same spot. I scanned the area. No Montana.
“Well?” he probed.
“Not yet. And only because I’m a little afraid. She’s got the full package. She’s loyal, caring, feisty, sweet, sexy, and when I’m not with her, I feel lost. But please don’t tell Reagan. I want Montana to hear it from me.”
“My lips are sealed, dude. You know I wouldn’t share that info with anyone unless you wanted me to. So when do you plan on telling her?”
I shrugged. “I’m not sure.” I didn’t know if there was ever a right time.
“You know what I think? You should tell her at the debutante ball. Girls love to hear how you feel when the soft music is playing and you’re slow dancing with them.”
I busted out laughing. “Since when did you become the love guru? Oh wait. That’s when you’re planning on telling Reagan.”
He looked away. “Back to Ferris.”
“Man, don’t get all shy on me.” I thought I would have been the one to fight my feelings.
He swung his brown gaze my way. “I’m busted. Okay.”
At that moment, I spotted Montana and grinned.
She tucked her hair behind her ear as she bounced up.
“You look happy,” Austin said to Montana. “Is it because of this dude?” Austin pointed at me.
“Maybe,” she teased as she batted her lashes.
I loved the shy, flirty vibe she was giving off.
“Okay, man,” Austin said to me. “I’ll cover for you with Coach. Don’t be long. And definitely don’t ruin those hands. Remember, we have two more games.” He darted off.
“He’s right,” Montana said. “Don’t hurt Ferris.”
I was about to respond, when Ferris stalked out, his black spiked hair glistening in the sunlight. “You wanted to talk. So talk.” His tone was a little too sharp for my taste.
I fisted my right hand. “Don’t be a prick. Montana asked you to talk. You said yes. So don’t make it sound like we’re forcing you.”
He held up his hands. “I have to work tonight. Let’s get this over with.”
“Tell me the truth about your friendship with Nina,” Montana said. “Are you tutoring her? Or are you spying for her?”
