Rule Number Four (Rule Breakers Book 4)

by Nicky Shanks

  “I’ll try my best.” I want to promise him but I know I have a lot of changing to do if I wanna make this work. “I can’t promise you anything, but I can try.”

  He nods. “Fair enough. Is there anything you need before we leave? Now that you’re awake and everything…the room’s going to be full with doctors any minute, and we’ll just be in the way. Do you want us to bring you anything?”

  I don’t know how to ask for anything and I’m embarrassed to even try. Julie notes my reservation and tugs on his t-shirt to get his attention focused back on her. “I can put together a bag for her. I’m sure she’d like to attempt to shower sometime soon and wash her hair. That always feels nice and puts me in a good mood.” Her smile is bright and cheery. “And maybe some magazines and trashy romance novels to help pass the time until you break free?”

  I cringe and think about my sprained ankle from the prison fight. My left foot is wrapped up in bandages like they scoured my body for other ailments while they were fixing the real problem.

  Oliver accepts her answer and stands up to gather his things. He puts his leather jacket on and nods to Julie before leaving her alone with me in the room.

  “Are you sure you’re okay with following those rules? He’s big on those.” She laughs nervously like the rules make her uneasy. “He means well, though. Is there anything you want that you were afraid to ask for when Oliver was here?” She stands and finds a pillow to add behind my head.

  “I like you.” My head rests on the extra padding and I’m instantly drained. “I can’t wait to see Oliver make a good choice and marry you.”

  She giggles. “I think he gets his charm from you a little bit. I haven’t forgotten about what you’ve done to me—or to Oliver—but I can try to get past it if you’ll let me.”

  “Thank you, Julie.” I reach out for her, but she doesn’t take my hand.

  “I’d better go—Oliver is waiting.” She quickly smiles and walks for the door. She turns around as she opens it and her braided hair falls to the side of her body. “I hope this is a good start to a fresh beginning for everyone. I’d hate to waste the last bit of hope for you I have and find out I was destined to be wrong all along.”

  Before I can answer her, she’s gone.

  I won’t let you down.

  Not this time.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Julie

  I’ve changed so much in the past eight months that I hardly recognize myself in the mirror anymore. It’s not a bad thing. It’s just a weird thing. When life becomes too much work, we sort of lose ourselves in the chaos and most of us never make it back to a good place.

  I found my place.

  “I’m afraid I’m not much help,” Veronica says from inside the walk-in closet in the new house. “Everything that tart Staci brought over is either too short or too low-cut.”

  I smile in the mirror. Veronica’s come around since her recovery and she’s taking life one day at a time—which is more than most of us can say. Oliver paid for another year lease on his apartment and once we moved out, he let her move in so she could live a year rent-free and save some money of her own. He’s never asked her about the money he’d given her to disappear, and I’m willing to bet anything that he never will.

  The deep red lipstick that covers my mouth makes my lips look sexier and wider. I like the way Veronica has done my hair too; she’s curled the ends and pinned up the top half so the curls would fall around my head.

  “It’s just a rehearsal dinner, right?” she calls from the closet.

  “A rehearsal dinner and New Year’s Eve party.” I snort. “He’s gone all out and has spent the last week preparing for this party in the backyard.”

  She pops her head out and I turn to look at her. Since her recovery, her hair is growing back thicker and her skin isn’t looking as gray and clammy. I notice her in Oliver more and more each day, and even though he’s kept her at arm’s length and left it to me to handle her, it’s been worth it getting to know the story of why she is…the way she is.

  “He loves you,” she coos and goes back into the closet. “And I know you love him. Watching you two together these past few weeks, it’s been like watching a movie.”

  I laugh and walk toward the closet. “Yeah, a horror film maybe.”

  She shakes her head and smiles. “You know what I mean, don’t play dumb. Look at this one.” She holds up a cream and royal blue dress with nude lace that would hit me at the knees. The bottom of the dress fans out and it looks like a dress for a princess. “I think this one will complement your eyes nicely.”

  I sift through the rack she’s been looking at. “That’s the only one that’s decent, you mean.”

  “Put it on and let’s see.” She steps out of the room so I can slip into the dress. Once it’s on, it fits me like it’s specially made for my body. I smooth out the stomach part and twirl around in the mirror for a minute before stepping back out to show her. She whistles and claps her hands as I turn once again to show her the whole dress. Someone clears their throat from the doorway and I stop twirling. I feel his eyes on me before I can blink.

  “Oh, don’t stop on my account.” Oliver’s smooth voice excites me. “Is that the dress you’re wearing to the rehearsal dinner?” He narrows his eyes at Veronica, who excuses herself from the room and shuts the door behind her. I take a step backward and put my hands on my hips.

  He’s already in his dress slacks and white dress shirt; he looks like an expensively dressed Ken doll with every wave of his muscles tightened as his shirt covers them. His black tie is hanging halfway tied around his neck so I reach up to tighten it, but he stops me mid-air.

  “That dress makes me wanna do bad fucking things to you, baby. Are you sure you want to wear that?” His arms catch me and he grazes his warm lips over my ear as he pulls me close.

  “When are you going to learn that I do what I want?” I tease and his rough hands slide up the sides of the skirt. His palms find the bottom of my ass where the lace panties stop and he grips the flesh.

  “Trust me, I know that already.” He laughs into my hair. “That’s what I love most about you.” Once he has a good enough grip on me, he picks me up and wraps my legs around his torso. One arm releases its grip around me and he unzips his pants swiftly before pushing my lace panties aside in a matter of seconds. I lick my lips when the tip of his hard-on reaches the sensitive part between my open legs. He laughs into my neck as he teases me and moves a few feet over to a nearby chair.

  His eyes lock onto mine. “You’re gonna be my wife tomorrow.”

  “I know, it’s still crazy to think about.” He trails kisses down my neck. “I can’t believe this is our life.”

  He chuckles. “I can’t believe this is my life.” My arms wrap around his neck as he prepares to sit down into the chair behind him. “You are the most perfectly imperfect person I’ve ever fucking met, and there’s no room in my life for anyone else but you. Have you written your vows yet?”

  I blush. “I’ve started them.”

  “I’ve had mine done before I even asked you.” He blushes too. “That’s how fucking badly I wanted you to say yes and be mine.”

  I hungrily kiss his lips and press myself against him. “I’ve always been yours.”

  Oliver slowly sits down in the chair and eases into me with passion; my dress flows around us as I tighten my legs around his body. I moan into the air and tip my head back while his fingers find the straps of the dress and push them down. He massages my breasts and kisses them lightly while moving up and down with the strides of my body pushing against him. I lean in and he buries his face in between them; he moans into my flesh and it vibrates every last nerve in my body that hasn’t already joined in the frenzy.

  My hands hook behind his neck and he finds my lips with his. “You were made for me,” he whispers and brushes hair from my face. “I’m going to give you everything you’ve ever wanted.”

  “And more.” I catch my breath and his
hips quicken.

  “So much fucking more.”

  We didn’t realize how long we’d been in the room until we hear someone slightly knocking and jiggling the door handle. “Uh, hello? We have a rehearsal dinner to get to?” Staci’s voice is muffled from the other side. I silently thank Veronica for locking the door on her way out, and as romantic as we both wanted it to be…we have to hurry and finish before Staci knocks the door down.

  Oliver holds his hand over my mouth when I finish because he knows I’m uncontrollably loud sometimes. This time is no different; he kisses my forehead when everything comes back into focus and laughs. “I love you.” His chest heaves up and down. “I literally love my fucking life.”

  I smile and peck his lips. “I’m glad to hear that.”

  His left eyebrow rises in humor. “So elusive, Miss Remington. Better watch out, because less than twenty-four hours from now you’re going to be Mrs. Julie Jackson.” The smile widens on his lips and it’s hard to lift my body off of his because I don’t want to go to the dinner. I just want to stay here with him and wait for tomorrow.

  He stands up and shakes his dick back into his pants, zipping them back up. I adjust my panties back to their original state and he helps me re-strap my dress and fix my hair so it doesn’t look like we were having sex. He snorts and kisses me on the nose when he sees my frown. “Oh, baby. It’s not that bad and these are people who love us. We deserve this. You deserve this.” He kisses my fingers and walks me over to the door. After he unlocks it, Staci bursts in with a scowl on her face.

  “I did not plan this entire thing—and your entire wedding—to be booted out the night before it all goes down. What is happening in here?”

  Oliver laughs and puts his arms over both our shoulders. “Oh, Staci. Let’s just get downstairs, okay? You have plenty of time to yell at us after the wedding.”

  Staci looks surprised and honestly, so am I. She doesn’t say anything to ruin the moment and we let him lead us downstairs.

  “Here we go.” He squeezes my side and lets Staci walk to Randy. Everyone I love and care about is scattered around the backyard with smiles on their faces. Mrs. Atchley holds her champagne glass in the air and everyone follows suit.

  “To Oliver and Julie,” she calls out. “May your forever start now and never end.”

  Everyone toasts and starts chatting amongst themselves as Oliver and I split apart and each take half of the backyard to mingle. Harley and his brother Victor sit at a table with two very dolled up younger girls who look like they’re at a celebrity event. Their wide eyes sparkle when I approach them and the more I speak to them, the more uneasy it makes me to feel like someone they look up to.

  I’m average.

  Ordinary.

  “Hey, I’m glad you guys made it back for this!” I hear Oliver say behind me, and when I look to see who he’s talking about, Heather runs to me and scoops me into a hug. Oliver and Brandon shake hands and talk about California while Heather breaks free from me and hands me a small package wrapped in lilac-colored paper.

  “For you.” She catches her breath. “We just now made it back, sorry we’re late.”

  I wave her off. “No worries, what’s this for?”

  “Open it!” she squeals and her body shakes. “It’s a surprise!”

  I open the small package and there’s a box inside. I take the lid off and Brandon and Oliver join us to catch my reaction to whatever’s inside.

  There’s a charm inside shaped like a baby’s foot.

  “You’re pregnant?” Oliver gasps and looks at Heather. “I thought you couldn’t have kids?”

  I hold the box for everyone to see and the crowd gets excited. “I thought so too, but here we are.” She laughs and Brandon moves to be next to her. “I wanted you to be the first to know, Julie.”

  “Why?” My mouth moves before my brain. “I mean, it’s an honor, but why me?”

  “You brought us together. You may not know it, but all of this—” Brandon waves his hand around the backyard. “—This is because of you and your inability to give up on people. You didn’t give up on me and I tried to get you back because of it. I wouldn’t have met Heather if it wasn’t for you, and I wouldn’t have everything I’ve ever wanted if it wasn’t for you. You’re magic, Jules.” He smiles and Oliver slides his arm around my waist.

  He looks down at me with a tear in his eye. “It’s true what he’s saying, you know.”

  I bite the inside of my cheek. “Well, congratulations, I’m really happy for you.” I reach out and hug Heather, but I don’t feel like I did anything to help them with this.

  I’m not a unicorn.

  I’m not magic.

  “Baby, smile. I know you don’t believe us when we tell you stuff like that, but why would everyone around you lie about the same thing?” Oliver whispers in my ear.

  I don’t answer him and continue making my way around the backyard, talking to people and nibbling on snacks before it’s nightfall and people start saying their goodbyes and telling us they will see us tomorrow. Oliver decided not to stay somewhere else for the night, but he promised that he’d stay downstairs and stay true to the tradition of not seeing each other until we walk down the aisle.

  I didn’t get a chance to talk to Randy about any of this, but he and Clyde have already made it known where they stand. They have fallen for Oliver just like I have, and they’ve accepted him as part of the family. Veronica and Mrs. Atchley talk for most of the night and Lucy even pops her head in for a few minutes after her shift at work.

  Everyone that matters.

  Everyone that deserves to be here, is here.

  Oliver winks at me from across the lawn, and I know he’s not going to get through the night without trying to sneak into the bedroom. The way he walks toward me sends chills down my spine and I cross my legs without knowing it.

  “Are you glad we broke the rules?” he asks.

  The wicked smile that spreads across my face makes him lick his lips and nervously look around.

  “Fuck the rules.”

  His eyes darken and he steps closer to me, making me nervous because I know he doesn’t care who’s around and he’ll take what he wants.

  Fuck the rules.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Oliver

  I didn’t fucking sleep at all last night. Not only did my wonderful future wife lock me out of my own bedroom, the fucking sofa that she insisted on putting in the living room is uncomfortable as hell. I smile anyway regardless of what lack of sleep I got because in just a few short hours, she’s going to be my wife.

  I zip into the kitchen and start the coffee; I check the fridge for anything edible and find some eggs and milk so I take them out and shut the door. Julie is flittering around upstairs and she opens a door to call out, “There’s pancake mix in the second cabinet!” She shuts the door again and I have no trouble finding what I need.

  When I’ve made a large stack of pancakes and fluffy scrambled eggs, I make a quick plate for her and dash outside in the backyard to steal a flower from one of the vendors already setting up. Actually, they’ve all been coming and going since dawn, but I’m sure Julie was up way before that. The guy bringing in the white roses looks at me like I’m crazy, but I don’t fucking care. After darting back inside and putting the flower on the tray, I pour a cup of coffee in her favorite mug that says, “Best Aunt Ever” and add a few spoonfuls of sugar. Stepping back to examine my masterpiece, I frown.

  It needs something else.

  I click my fingers together and rummage around for a piece of paper and a pen. When I find what I need, I can’t think of anything to say that I haven’t already said in my vows. I don’t want to spoil the surprise for later, but I have to think of something quick.

  Sunshine,

  Fuck the rules.

  I love you.

  Love,

  Oliver

  I smile down at the vulgar words that no one’s going to get but the two of us. I like that a
bout our relationship—we have little inside conversations that no one else knows. I don’t like to share her, but I know it’s necessary because of the kind of person she is.

  Sticking the note on the tray, I hurry up the stairs and place it on the floor in front of the closed—and probably still locked—bedroom door. I knock a few times and she walks up to the door but doesn’t open it.

  “You know I’m not opening this door,” she says. “What do you need?”

  I laugh and take a few steps backward. “I made breakfast; it’s outside the door and I’m walking away.” I do what I say and go back downstairs to answer the ringing doorbell. When I reach it, Staci is chomping at the bit to be let in like a stray dog.

  “Where is she?”

  I point to the ceiling. “Upstairs.”

  She doesn’t say anything else to me as she brushes past me with a dress bag and it dawns on me that if I intercept her, then I can see Julie’s wedding dress early. Staci hightails it up the stairs like she knows my plan and it disappears quicker than I thought of it.

  “Hey, man,” Harley says as he opens the front door and lets himself in. “It’s a zoo out there. Your mom is out there dictating everything and growing horns.” He laughs and pats me on the shoulder. “So, is it time to drink yet?”

  I snort. “It’s barely eight a.m. I’m not trying to be sloshed at my own wedding.”

  “Just afterward, right?” He chuckles. “Come on outside, I have a surprise for you. Call it my wedding gift to you guys if you want.” He pulls me outside and he forgets that it’s fucking January and cold as hell out there for a guy in pajamas. His arms wave around like a magic wand and I follow his gaze to a Jeep with a big red bow over it.

  Wait.

  That’s my Jeep.

  “Is that—”

  He jumps up and down like an excited schoolboy. “That’s almost seventy percent your original Jeep, man! I salvaged and repaired enough to make it count…do you like it?”