Rules

by Doe, Anna B.

  “I am. You make me happy.”

  Leaning closer, I let my lips brush against his. It’s slow and sweet, and it makes my whole body beg for more. More kisses. More of Max’s hands on me. More of him.

  When I blink my eyes open, I see the same need I feel inside me reflected in his eyes. The hunger is barely contained underneath the surface, and I can’t help but wonder how long until the control he has over himself snaps.

  “I’ll do it.” His eyes grow wide at my whispered words. “I’ll go with you to BU.”

  A smile so big you’d think I just gifted him the whole world spreads on his face. He jumps up and pulls me in his arms. The water bottle I was holding falls out of my hands as he spins me in the air, and I can’t help but giggle. It feels freeing, being here with him; it feels freeing and right. Like I finally found my place under the sun.

  “You’re not going to regret it.” He sets me down, his hands cupping my cheeks as his lips fall on mine. He kisses me, long and hard. His tongue swipes over my lower lip, and I let him inside, moaning at the first touch.

  Need ripples through me, so I move closer, my arms wrapping around his neck and bringing our bodies flush against one another.

  “Umpf,” Max hisses, breaking the kiss.

  Moaning in protest, I look at him. “What now?”

  “Didn’t you feel that?”

  “Feel what?” I frown, looking at him. His hands go to my belly, just in time for another small kick against my womb. My heart speeds up like every other time I felt the baby move.

  “Oh, he’s been doing that every so often lately, but never this strong.”

  Max squats down in front of me, his hands pressing harder against my stomach as he waits. Gray eyes dart to my face, filled with wonder. “You still think it’s a boy?”

  “I can feel him kick, and it’s still pretty early.”

  “Maybe it’s a girl,” Max smiles when he feels another, although this time lighter kick against my stomach. “Jeanette has a nasty right hook, just ask your brother. It probably runs in the family.”

  Family.

  I never had a real family. I never thought I wanted one, but I was only fooling myself. Doing my best to protect what little was left of my heart. The old Brook would follow her rules, condemning herself to a solitary life of her own making, but this Brook… She is stronger. And looking back, I realize the rules I thought were supposed to protect me, ended up hurting me instead. They gave me a reason to hide, but I was done with hiding.

  Running my hands through Max’s hair, I look down at him, the joy and love shining from his eyes. He came for me. He told off his parents for me. He would give it all up for me. For our family.

  He deserved nothing less.

  “Max,” I call, his name a wheeze of air that I barely managed to push out of my lungs. Those gray eyes lift to mine as I feel the final brick fall down. This is the boy who knows my deepest, darkest secrets. The boy who saw me at my lowest, yet loves me in spite of it. Maybe I should do the same. “I love you. I fell for you the moment we met in this very spot, and I don’t think I’ve stopped falling since.”

  “Brook…” He gets on his feet, his hands gripping mine. “You don’t…”

  “It’s true. I tried to resist it; I tried to resist you. Even when you came to get me, part of me was fighting against the pull that somehow always brings me back to you. But I’m done fighting. I want this. I want you. I want our family and friends and the future you showed me we could have. I want us to go to college, and I want to sit in the stands, cheering you on. I want lazy Sundays in bed, and family vacations with our friends. I want to see you hold our baby. I love you, and I want us to be a family.”

  “And we will have it,” Max whispers, his forehead touching mine as he pulls me in for a hug. “We’ll have it all.”

  “I know the odds aren’t in our favor.”

  “Screw the odds. If I got you to fall for me, nothing is impossible.”

  “You made me break my rules.”

  “And I’d make you break them all over again just to have you in my arms. You’re mine, Brook Taylor. All of you belongs to me, and I’m not letting you go. Not now, not ever.”

  With that, his lips seal over mine in a kiss that leaves me breathless, stopping every possibility to protest. Not like I wanted to. Because everything he said was true.

  All of me belongs to him, just like all of him belongs to me.

  Forever.

  Epilogue

  BROOK

  “Brook, are you done? We’re already late!” Andrew calls from the living room, where he’s been pacing for the last half hour. I don’t know what has his panties in a twist like that. After all, we’re graduating today.

  After an eventful few weeks that I spent mostly catching up so I could even be considered to graduate, we were finally going to walk across that stage and be done with it. Not the most exciting way of thinking, but I was done with Greyford High.

  “Coming!” I yell back, picking up my cap and placing it on my head.

  Giving myself one final look in the mirror, I barely recognize the girl—woman, really—who’s looking back at me. Her make-up is light, but tasteful, her hair curled in loose locks that fall down her back. She’s all grown up, although a little bit cranky and a lot more hot.

  The dark blue polyester robe that I’m wearing doesn’t help too much with either of my problems, but I suck it up because I promised both Andrew and Max I’d do this.

  Happy, as much as I can be, with my reflection, I leave my room and go in search of Andrew.

  True to his word, he found us an apartment the same week I got back to Greyford. It was fully furnished, which was a big plus, and made moving out a lot easier because we only had to pack our clothes and our few belongings and we were good to go. And although things with Max were amazing, I just preferred staying with Andrew. Not only because I knew Max’s parents were still adjusting to the whole Max-has-a-pregnant-girlfriend thing, but also because I wanted to spend time with Andrew before we all left for college at the end of the summer. We’ve grown really close in the last weeks, and I was going to miss him once we weren’t living in the same town anymore.

  “You look nice,” Andrew says as soon as I step into the living room.

  “Thank you. You don’t look so bad yourself,” I say, taking him in. Like me, he’s dressed in a matching blue robe and cap, dark dress pants and shoes peeking from underneath it. “Ready to go?”

  “Actually.” He stops me before I manage to turn around. Frowning, I look at him pull at his collar.

  “Is something wrong?” It’s not good when Andrew starts to get nervous like he is now.

  “I wanted to talk to you about something before leaving.”

  “Okaay…” I drawl waiting for him to continue. What was this all about? Didn’t he just say we were late?

  Rubbing at the nape of his neck, he sighs. “John is coming to the graduation.”

  “I don’t see how that has anything to do with me.”

  John Hill and I haven’t talked since he gave me the money to help me disappear. I haven’t had any contact with him since, and I didn’t want to. He wasn’t a subject Andrew and I discussed, and I preferred it that way. Having Andrew and my friends in my life was more than enough for me. They were my family, and although we weren’t perfect, it was a family ten times better than my birth parents could ever give me.

  “I know you said you don’t want anything to do with him…”

  “What is this really about, Andrew?” I ask, deciding it’s better to cut to the chase.

  “This,” he sighs, thrusting a folder into my hands.

  “What is this?” I look down, my hands too shaky to open it.

  “It’s a trust fund.”

  “Andrew…”

  “Brook…” he repeats in very much the same tone. “He owes you. I know it, and you know it. There is no reason for you to be broke. And while I know Max will take care of you, I want you to have s
omething of your own.”

  “It’s dirty money from a person who abandoned me. Somebody who never wanted me.”

  Okay, maybe I wasn’t as indifferent as I wanted to be. But can you blame me?

  Andrew’s hands cover mine, which are still holding the folder. “Use the money for something good. Pay for your degree once you’re ready to go to college, or save it for your baby. Whatever you want to do, but please promise me you’ll use it.”

  He looks at me, his eyes pleading. Swallowing hard, I force myself to nod. “If that will give you peace of mind.”

  “It will.” He brushes his rugged palm over my cheek. “I won’t be there every day to keep you safe, but I can give you this. Now, let’s go. We’re really late.”

  * * *

  Andrew wasn’t joking; we really were late. So late that he had to drive like a maniac, and even then, as soon as we got to the football field where the graduation was being held, we were ushered to our places and the ceremony began.

  Tugging at my collar, I look around, searching for my friends. Max and Jeanette were sitting down the row from me, but Lia, Derek and Andrew were lost in the faces of our graduating class since they were closer to the podium.

  I catch a glimpse of Max’s worried gaze on me.

  Are you okay? He mouths, and I give him a thumbs up.

  It’s hotter than what is typical for late May, and all this running didn’t help. I could feel sweat forming on my forehead, and the dress I was wearing underneath the robe was plastered to my body.

  Thankfully, our valedictorian didn’t have a long-ass speech, so the whole thing was happening faster than expected. People started to get up in rows, going to the podium to get their diplomas. I politely clapped with everybody else, only showing real excitement when one of my friends picked up theirs.

  After thirty or so minutes, our row was directed to stand up. I felt a kick against my ribs just as I was getting up. The baby was more active now, and there was no more hiding I was indeed pregnant. My belly got bigger and rounder every day, and honestly, I didn’t know how I was supposed to survive three or so more months like this. Although, I have to admit, having Max with me, his hands or lips touching my belly, did make up for all the bad things, like the fact that I can’t stop sweating and my joints feel swollen twenty-four-seven.

  “Jeanette Sanders,” our principal calls, breaking me out of my thoughts. A loud applause sounds through the room. I can hear Andrew whistling and Lia cheering. Then it all dies down, as the next person is called.

  “Maximillian Sanders.”

  The cheering is even louder now, if possible. There are hoots and hollers coming from the hockey team, his family and our friends.

  I watch him cross the stage, my heart thumping loudly in my chest. He did it, and I couldn’t be more proud of him if I tried.

  As soon as he shakes the principal’s hand and takes his diploma, he turns around, his eyes finding mine.

  Giving me a playful wink, he walks down.

  The row continues to move, and with every person who gets their diploma, my heart is beating faster.

  Why did I agree to this? There is nobody here for me today except my friends. I’m obviously pregnant, and I’m going to embarrass myself…

  “Brook Taylor.”

  I can barely hear it over the sound of my heartbeat.

  Inhaling sharply, I lift my chin up. No backing down now. Forcing my legs to move, I climb the final stair and walk to the principal. He offers me his hand with a polite smile. “Congratulations.”

  “Thank you.” I shake his hand, taking the diploma and walking away as loud cheers and clapping accompany me down the stage.

  As soon as I’m down, I can feel strong hands wrap around me. “You did it!”

  “We did it,” I say, returning his hug.

  Taking a step back, Max looks down at me with the whole world in his eyes. “And this is just the beginning.”

  “And this is just the beginning.”

  Lifting onto the tips of my toes and pressing my mouth against his, I kiss him senseless. Marking him as mine in the room full of people, because all of me already belongs to all of him.

  The End

  Do you want more of Brook and Max? Click here to claim your bonus epilogue of Rules!

  I’d love to hear what you thought of Rules! If you have a moment, please consider leaving a short review.

  * * *

  Are you new to Greyford High? Go back to the beginning and read Lia and Derek’s story in Lines or Andrew and Jeanette’s in Habits! All books can be read as standalones.

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  Looking for a new YA romance? Check out my summer standalone romance Underwater.

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  Acknowledgments

  I can’t believe this is it! For two years, I've lived and breathed the world of Greyford High, and now it's time to say goodbye. These books, these characters, grew up to be so much more than I could ever imagine, each individual story taking me on the journey of a lifetime. I can't even begin to explain to you how proud I am of what they all have accomplished and how they changed and matured since the beginning of the series. It might seem strange to you, but it's not for me. I might be the author of these stories, of this world, but it's my characters who lead the story in the direction it's supposed to go. Yes, I do have some ideas, but it's mostly them that correct me and take me in the right direction. Sometimes I don't like it, most of the time I don't even agree with it, but I take it anyway because I know I owe it to my characters to tell their story. We're all imperfect, but that's the beauty of being human.

  Brook and Max's story was the most difficult one to write. I knew it from the beginning. It destroyed me, both emotionally and mentally, but I really do believe there is a beautiful, although heartbreaking, message hidden behind it.

  As always, I'd love to thank my beautiful team. Nina, thank you for always listening to my rants, even when I repeat myself over and over again. When I first messaged you, out of the blue, I didn’t know what an amazing friend I’d get, and now I can’t imagine my life without you in it. To my beautiful beta readers—Andrea, Stephanie, Melody, Carrie, and Casie—thank you for helping me give my readers the best possible version of this book.

  To my behind-the-scenes team—Tricia, Najla, Abi—this book wouldn't be what it is without you. I’m so happy to be able to work with such talented people.

  To my lovely Bookmantics and Supergirls - thank you guys for all the support you constantly give me. I can't say it enough, but you guys rock.

  To my readers - thank you for giving this book (and series) a chance! I really hope you loved the conclusion to the Greyford High series.

  Until the next book...

  Love,

  Anna

  Playlist

  Lady Gaga – Million Reasons

  Lady Gaga – Till It Happens To You

  James Arthur – Safe Inside

  James Arthur – Heroes

  Bandit Heart – Don’t Let Me Go

  Demi Lovato – Sorry Not Sorry

  Sam Smith – Too Good At Goodbyes

  Shawn Mendes – Bad Reputation

  Rascal Flatts – Here Comes Goodbye

  Plumb – Don’t Deserve You

  Celine Dion – Fade Away

  Pink & Chris Stapleton - Love Me Anyway

  Jillian Jacqueline - Hate Me

  Lauren Daigle – You Say

  Lauren Daigle – Rescue

  Faouzia - Bad Dream

  I Am They - Scars

  Other books by Anna B. Doe

  New York Knights series

  Contemporary Sports Romance novels

  #1 Lost & Found

  #2 Until

  #3 Forever

&n
bsp; Standalone

  Modern Fairytale

  Underwater

  Greyford High series

  YA Sports Romance novels

  #1 Lines

  #2 Habits

  #3 Rules

  About the Author

  Anna B. Doe is a young adult and new adult contemporary romance author. She writes real-life romance that is equal parts sweet and sexy. She’s a coffee and chocolate addict. Like her characters, she loves those two things dark, sweet and with little extra spice.

  When she’s not working for a living or writing her newest book you can find her reading books or binge-watching TV shows. Originally from Croatia, she is always planning her next trip because wanderlust is in her blood.

  She is currently working on various projects. Some more secret than others.

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