The Rule Breaker - Crystal Kaswell Page 0,90

There's something about you. Like you know how to handle everything the world throws at you."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. Or maybe it's just the hair." Her laugh is soft. "It is really fierce."

I blink back a tear. "I wish you'd seen it sooner."

"Me too." She rests her head on my shoulder. "I miss you all the time. I'll still miss you. Even if you keep sleeping with my brother, you'll always be my best friend."

"What if I kill him?"

"You can try. But I'm going to kill him first."

Chapter Forty-Six

Oliver

The buzz of my cell interrupts the grunge anthem bouncing around my room.

Holden: You're a fucking idiot.

No argument here.

Oliver: And?

Holden: Is this your idea of making things right?

Oliver: Do you have a point?

Holden: Do you love her?

Oliver: What does that matter?

Holden: Daisy already knows.

Fuck.

Holden: Yeah, dumping her best friend at a party she's attending… not the most subtle move.

Maybe.

Holden: Pretty fucking stupid. Even for you.

Oliver: Learned from the best.

Holden: I'm flipping you off.

Oliver: It's true.

Holden: Okay. I did this first. I'm a disloyal bastard. But now you're a disloyal bastard too. So we're on even ground.

Oliver: Yeah.

Holden: I risked fucking up Daisy's relationship with you. You risked fucking up her relationship with Luna.

Oliver: I get the point.

Holden: You're fucking stupid.

Oliver: I got that already.

Holden: Do you love her?

Oliver: Still don't see how that matters.

Holden: Yes or no?

Why does he want to know?

And what does it matter? This is what makes sense. No matter what anyone else thinks.

Oliver: This is what's best for her.

Holden: Because…

Oliver: Do I have to spell it out for you?

Holden: Yeah. You know I'm barely literate.

I don't want to chuckle, but I do.

Holden: Does it go. I-A-M-A-N-I-D-I-O-T?

Oliver: You got it.

Holden: What? Some bullshit about how you're a fuckup and she deserves better and whatever?

Oliver: Yeah.

Holden: You're probably right.

Oliver: Thanks.

Holden: But shouldn't that be her decision?

Whatever.

Oliver: Is she okay?

Holden: No. You dumped her in the backyard. And she sat there for like three hours. You're an asshole.

Oliver: But she's safe?

Holden: Staying here for the night.

Oliver: Oh.

Holden: Daisy's pissed at you.

Oliver: Really?

Holden: No. It's worse. She's disappointed.

That is worse.

Holden: Get the fuck over yourself, Oliver. I didn't tell you to pull this martyr bullshit. I said if you love her, go for it. You love her. So go for it.

Maybe it's good advice. I don't know.

It's too late.

And I'm too fucking tired.

I lay my cell on the bed. Close my eyes. Try to picture something besides the hurt on her face.

Fail entirety.

I sleep in fits. A few minutes here. Half an hour of listening for the door there.

I'm not sure what I want to hear. Silence. Daisy's light footsteps. Luna's steady ones. Her storming into my room to tell me I'm an asshole.

That she isn't taking my bullshit at face value.

That she isn't going to leave until I do better than I'm sorry.

I am sorry.

And I can't do better.

Holden's voice echoes through my head.

If it's something real…

Fuck you for hurting her.

Shouldn't that be her decision.

I pick up my cell. Check for any word from him. Or her. Or Daisy. Or anything.

Holden: She fell asleep on the couch. Looks peaceful. Like she's dreaming of kicking your ass. Did I mention that you're an idiot? And you need to fix this?

This is supposed to fix it.

To keep them from crumbling completely.

What is it they say? Cut off the arm to save the body? Some shit like that.

But maybe it's something else.

Maybe it's not that I want to hurt her less in the long run. Or save her and Daisy's friendship.

Daisy already knows.

And—

Maybe it's not about her.

Maybe it's about me.

A knock on the door interrupts me. That can't be her. Unless Holden fell asleep too. Unless she found his phone and sent false information to launch a stealth attack.

"Oliver." Dad knocks again. "Can we talk?"

Fuck, how did he get involved? I pinch my forearm. Will myself to wake up from this nightmare.

No good. I'm still sitting on my bed, my fan muffling the rest of the world but failing to cool me.

I'm hot all over. But it's not because I'm filled with thoughts of fucking Luna.

It's something else.

"Yeah." I pull on a t-shirt. Sit up straight.

Dad opens the door. Flips the light. He bends, picks up two mugs of coffee, holds them up like beacons of light.

Like father, like daughter. I guess she learned that from him.

"Is that a bribe?" I ask.

He half-smiles. "It's more that you look terrible."

"It's the middle of the night."

He nods even so. Moves into the room. Offers a cup to me.

"Thanks." I