Rule Number One
Chapter fifteen
Aurora Driscoll
Hayes isn’t waiting for me in the library like I expected. He’s usually early. To class, to our first tutoring session. For someone so casual about, well, everything, he’s overly punctual. Except on the day we’re supposed to talk about the scheme he concocted.
“Figures,” I grumble, and drop my backpack on the table, then sit down.
In the past, it’s annoyed me to find Hayes waiting for me around every corner. But today, it was welcome. Not because I want to see him, but because it means we can get everything settled quicker. I have a feeling this is going to be absolutely miserable, and the sooner it’s over with, the better.
A sigh falls from my lips. I tuck my hands in the pocket of my burgundy hoodie and turn up the classical music flowing through my earbuds. Tchaikovsky doesn’t just soothe me; his work reminds me of what I’m working toward. My ballet intensive. Becoming a principal dancer. Making my family proud.
I’m reviewing a part of my winter performance in my mind when someone slides into the seat across from me. Someone who is decidedly not Hayes Rosewood.
Mckinleigh smiles at me and motions to her ear. I frown and slowly take out one of my earbuds.
“I thought I’d see you here,” she says brightly. “But Hayes isn’t here. Did you two break up already?”
The hope in her voice is simultaneously laughable and unsettling. It’s only been a few days since the party. Maybe Hayes was right. She’s stalker material.
“No.”
Mckinleigh blinks her long lashes, waiting for me to elaborate.
I do not.
She lets out a fake laugh. “That’s so great! He must be running late. I’m sure he was busy working out or got held up in traffic, and not with another girl or anything.”
I press my lips together. Clearly, she thinks this will get under my skin. Maybe if I were actually dating Hayes and cared if he was with another girl, it would. Unfortunately for her, I’m not.
“Is there a reason you came over here?” I ask.
“Oh, um—” She shifts in her seat. “I wanted to see if you wanted to come to a little get-together this weekend.” Her words come out quick, as though she didn’t plan to say them. “The events are usually reserved for sorority sisters, but if you came with me, you’d be allowed.”
I don’t have anything against sororities.
My mom was in one and has a lot of great friends from those days.
I considered rushing for her sake, but I felt like the process would be too stressful.
Some people definitely take it a little too far, though, and I think Mckinleigh might fall in that category.
She probably thinks she’s superior to me because she got accepted into one.
“No thanks, I’m busy,” I say, and go to put my earbud back in.
Mckinleigh sputters. “With Hayes?”
I can’t help it, I let out a little laugh. Gotta hand it to the woman, she knows her priorities. I wonder what she could do if she channeled all this energy into something productive.
Mckinleigh’s saccharine sunny expression darkens at my outburst.
“I don’t know why he settled for you,” she sneers. “You can’t be what he needs.”
Hayes rounds a corner. His saunter falters when he spots Mckinleigh.
“I don’t have to be,” I reply calmly, and level her with my gaze. “Because I’m who he wants.”
Mckinleigh glares. Hayes appears at the end of the table. I tip my head back and take in his wide-eyed expression. His auburn locks are windswept, and his expression is a little flushed, like he might have jogged here.
“You’re late.”
He shoots me an apologetic smile, then bends down and presses a kiss to my forehead, making me stiffen. Tingles cascade from the top of my head over the back of my neck, causing goose bumps to prickle my skin.
“I’m sorry. I was helping a friend.” He glances at Mckinleigh. “What’s going on here?”
“Mckinleigh invited me to a party, but now that I’ve refused, I’m sure she’ll be on her way,” I explain.
She sniffs with disdain but pushes back from the table.
“I’ll see you around.”
It sounds like a threat, but I’m not afraid of her in the least. Her jabs during our conversation were weak and not thought through. I nod to her, and she stomps away, drawing the eyes of others in the library.
Hayes takes the seat she was occupying. The brown long-sleeved shirt he’s wearing makes his green eyes stand out more, the gold in them catching the light of the window next to us.
“I’m sorry,” he says again. “One of my friends needed a ride after sparring practice, and I got stuck in traffic.” He shakes his head. “I didn’t think she’d corner you like that.”
“You might have a stalker after all,” I remark dryly.
“All the more reason to keep this up,” he replies with a half laugh.
The reminder of our relationship makes my stomach tighten up again.
“We should talk rules, or something like that,” I stammer.
He rakes a hand through his hair. “Yeah, that makes sense. Did you have something in mind?”
Every thought in my head vanishes at his words. Heat creeps up my neck. I’ve never been in a regular relationship. How am I supposed to give boundaries for a fake one?
“No kissing,” I blurt out, then wince as his eyebrows shoot up.
Very subtle, Aurora.
I criticized Mckinleigh for not thinking before she spoke, and now look at me.
“Should I have not kissed your forehead?” he asks, and the sincerity in his voice surprises me. “I thought it would sell things more, but I probably should have talked to you first.”
My head is shaking before my thoughts are fully formed. I think I left my brain out in front of the library. I should go get it before finishing this conversation.
“No, I just meant—” I cut off, my face hotter than a Georgia summer.
How do I tell him—without utterly embarrassing myself—that I don’t want to kiss on the lips? It sounds so childish.
Realization sweeps over his features, which then gives way to a smirk that makes my stomach swoop.
“I see. You don’t want us to really kiss, because you’re afraid I’ll ruin every one you have from then on. No one else could compare.” He sits back in his seat. “Don’t worry, I won’t kiss you unless you ask me to.”
A switch flips inside of me, taking me from nervous to angry at breakneck speed. I glare at him.
“I’m tempted to find Mckinleigh and tell her you changed your mind and want her instead. I think your ego needs to be punished.”
He chuckles. “Nice to have you back, Princess. I’ve been waiting for the Aurora I know to return. She disappeared there for a minute.”
I cross my arms. Did he say all of that just so I’d stop being nervous?
“You don’t know me,” I shoot back, not liking that his plan worked.
“Not as well as I’d like to, no.”
We share a look. Hayes sparkling with mischief. Me shooting sparks of a different kind. I let out a huff.
“Okay, that’s rule number one then. No kissing.”
“Unless you ask,” he adds.
I roll my eyes. “Not happening.”
“A man can dream.”