Read Broken (Breaking the Rules) for Free Online

her gorgeous eyes.
    Jackson leaned over and whispered into my ear, distracting me from their conversation, “You look so beautiful, Andi.”
    My cheeks immediately reddened because I felt like he was teasing me, considering I was in no way beautiful at the moment. “Yeah, sure. You just want to make sure you get laid tonight. Don’t worry, I’ll be pretty before tonight,” I grumbled, rolling my eyes.
    He grabbed my hand and his hot breath shot into my ear as he said with no humor in his voice, “I don’t fucking lie. You are beautiful. You look like an angel sitting in the sunlight by this window. Don’t ever downplay your looks.”
    My heart skipped a few beats. Okay, so maybe he hadn’t been messing with me. He smelled of soap and aftershave, which had me swooning.
    Jeanie interrupted our moment by setting down the guys’ coffees. Everyone turned their attention to Olive as she told several stories from some modeling jobs she had done recently. She was such an innocent, so listening to the things that she described as horrific was really just funny. We were all laughing hysterically at her stories.
    Once everyone had finished their coffee, Ian spoke to us. “You ladies should come to the bar tonight. Drinks on me,” he suggested, smiling at Olive.
    She looked embarrassed, but I saved her from having to tell him no. “Ian, that’s sweet, but I actually have a date,” I chimed in, winking at Jackson.
    The poor guy looked sad. “Well, Olive, you could come. There’s going to be a pretty cool band,” he piped, in a last-ditch effort to get my adorable friend to see him again.
    “I’m sorry, Ian, but I have other plans. But maybe another time?” she asked softly. Poor Olive. There wouldn’t be another time. She was letting him down easy. There was no way in hell she would go to a bar. It really was sad because I could tell she felt something for this guy.
    “Come on, man. Let’s go,” Jackson broke in, slapping Ian on the back as he stood. “Andi, I’ll pick you up at seven tonight at your place. Sushi sound good?” he inquired, winking.
    “Um, I was thinking steak,” I teased. He just grinned as he started walking away. “Wait! I didn’t tell you my address,” I called after him.
    “No worries. George already did,” he assured me as he walked out with Ian right behind him.
    “Oh my goodness, Andi! Jackson looks like a keeper. Are you sure you want to ditch him after the weekend?”
    I rolled my eyes. “Those are the rules, Olive. So, yes, I will be ditching him,” I told her honestly. She pouted—actually pouted—at my words.
    “Why do you care so much?” I demanded. Looking embarrassed, she glanced down at her napkin and began fiddling with it. “No reason,” she whispered quietly.
    Suddenly, I realized why she cared. She really had an interest in Ian. “Ah, you like Ian!” I teased.
    Her eyes frantically darted to mine. “I do not!” she hissed, but her face told a different story.
    “Whatever, chica. I can read you better than you think. No worries. We’ll make it happen. I’ll make sure you see him again,” I promised. Not waiting for her response, I grabbed her hand and pulled her with me so we could head to the market. I had a date to prepare for.
     
     
    A DARK TWO WEEKS…
    So apparently, the doctor says I’m depressed. No shit, Sherlock. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that one out. He said that I need to take antidepressants.
    “Did you take your first pill?” Drill Sergeant Pepper asks.
    I roll my eyes at her and snatch up the pill bottle. I toss the pill back and chase it with my water bottle. Not wanting to converse, I slide back into the comfort of my bed.
    “Look, Andi. I know things are hard for you, but you have to snap out of it. You need to get a hold of that heart and put it in check. Next week you have a finals and you haven’t even studied. Please just do it for me. I am dying right along with you seeing you this way,” Pepper says