Page 129 of Unwritten Rules

Cal smiles devilishly, his question clearly on the tip of his tongue.

“Why, obviously, I’d want to know what happened to his unmentionable fiancée! And if any of his books were in any way autobiographical.” He places his forefinger under his chin, tilting his head to the side in thought. “And I’d want to know if his dick is as big as his ego.”

He waggles his dark eyebrows, making his companions laugh before I step out from my hiding spot though they don’t see me until I speak.

“She married my father.”

The trio jump and spin around to find my bemused face staring down at them.

“Professor Hawthorne, sir, I’m sorry. I didn’t—”

“Yes, some of the material has been taken from my own experience.”

Cal’s eyes blow wide, and Percy’s mouth forms an O as I lean closer, placing my palm over my mouth to whisper, “And my ego is a lot smaller.”

Cal’s mouth opening and closing hilariously is the last thing I see as Phillippe pulls up along the hall. I slide into the back seat with a laugh on my lips and love in my heart.

When did this become my life? Because fuck me, I don’t ever want it to change.

* * *

The trip home is made shorter when I check my phone to find the boys have been active.

HENRY

I’ll be Stateside from the end of the month. Peaches and Bash too.

CADEN

Bug and I fly out to Dad’s ranch the same week. New album to record in his studio with the guys.

HENRY

How goes the stork drama?

CADEN

The papers were delivered today. She was okay, I guess.

HENRY

Bella?

CADEN

Doesn’t know a damn thing. Layla refused to see her.

HENRY

Fuck, man. That’s a tough pill to swallow.

CADEN

Yeah. We’ll be good, though, man.

Why are you guys going Stateside anyway?

HENRY