Originally Chapter 22 Following Lincoln giving Rae a ride home from mini-golf.

Lincoln

Over the past few weeks, I’d lied and convinced myself that Raegan was one of the few people who were actually themselves around me. Filtering be damned, I thought she was authentic and to hear her say she can’t be is equally infuriating and terrifying. Maybe she hasn’t been real? Maybe I completely misjudged her?

I pull down her street, her parent’s house in view with Paxton’s car in the driveway. This is guaranteed to cause questions, and right now, my best answer is that I was offering to take Nikki home and saw shithead driving with Rae in the passenger seat. I didn’t even realize where he was going as I blindly followed across four lanes of traffic, too angry and bitter to stop.

“Shit,” Rae mutters, bringing me back to the present. She reaches for the door handle as I idle behind Pax’s car.

I turn my attention to her, anger bristling along my arms and up my neck. She had no problem facing off with Pax when it came to Derek. She was willing to go to the mat with him in regards to her personal life remaining just that: private, and now she’s worried about him seeing us together with a valid excuse at her fingertips?

She doesn’t look back at me as she closes the door, wrapping her arms around her chest. She’s outside of my truck and ten feet away, and I can still smell her, still feel her against me. Still taste her lips.

Maggie appears at the front door, her gaze swinging from Rae to me. Curiosity pulls at her brow as she calls out to Rae, whose expression I can’t see because her back is facing me. Maggie moves toward her sister, wrapping an arm around her waist and turning so they both face me.

“Hey, Lincoln!” she waves with her free arm, the other one tethering Rae to her side. It makes comparing the two and their similarities and differences easier, but those thoughts vanish quicker than they began, distracted by how the two move and interact. Maggie laughs, and Raegan follows. Raegan smiles, and Maggie pulls her closer.

Maggie dips her face, whispering something that makes Raegan shake her head. She nods, then her gaze slowly climbs to me. She shakes her head again, keeping my stare.

“Come on, Lincoln.” Maggie drops her grip on Raegan and steps closer to my truck. “I played every card I had left to convince Dad to make fried chicken for dinner since it’s my last week here.”

I already know Maggie’s preparing to leave soon. The topic has broken into conversations with Pax on multiple occasions. I don’t think he knows how to navigate his feelings regarding the subject, which is why it keeps arising.

Maggie beckons me to follow, curling her fingers. “Come on.” She stands outside of my driver’s side door, her full attention on me.

I debate possible excuses. I can’t sit at a Lawson family dinner, not when I want to demand honesty from Raegan while also executing every defensive move I have that will make me forget the details of her that are plaguing each of my thoughts and senses. Rolling my window down would be a dick move, so I turn off the engine and slide out, welcoming the cold as it hits my skin, slowly eating at my insecurities that are working on masking themselves as anger.

“I’ve got a mountain of homeswork, but I’ll definitely see you before you leave,” I tell her.

Maggie twists her head, doubt and questions apparent in her expressive gaze. “Trust me. You don’t want to pass this dinner up.”

She has no idea how much I do.

“Hey. What are you doing here? I tried calling you earlier.” Pax clears the front door, sweeping the front of the house and taking a quick inventory of my presence and truck before he stops on her. “Did you guys drive here together?”

Rae nods. “Yeah. Lincoln gave me a ride home because I wasn’t feeling well.”

Maggie twists. “Are you okay?”

Raegan nods again, crossing her arms over her chest again when a cold wind blows past, shifting her hair and pulling her shirt tighter over her frame. “Yeah, it was my fault. I was really busy today and didn’t get a chance to eat. It started to catch up to me.”

Pax moves, standing beside her like a shield. “Well, you’re going to be happy. Dad made fried chicken.”

“That’s what Maggie said. Tell me there are mashed potatoes.”

Pax grins. “I think he gave up on trying alternative sides after you boycotted dinner last time.”

She balks. “He served baked potatoes with fried chicken!”

Pax laughs. “And Mom made the gravy, so it’s the best of both worlds.” He looks up, lifting his chin in my direction. “Come on. Stick around.”

Raegan’s eyes land on me, her reluctance clear even in the darkness.

“Come on,” Pax says before moving toward the house. “I’m freezing my nuts off out here.”

I step forward. Maybe I want to make her suffer a little. Maybe I’m just a masochist.

Maggie falls into step beside me, hooking her arm with mine.

Raegan walks ahead of us, her hips shifting with each step, a mesmerizing distraction.

“How were the whales?” Maggie asks. “You went out this morning, right?”

We hit the living room, and Raegan turns, rubbing her palms together as she nods and then starts shaking her head. She looks at me again, her discomfort apparent as she takes a step back. “We haven’t seen them in several weeks.”

“Why? What’s happening?”

“Pollution, overfishing, tourism….”

Maggie frowns, her arm securing me to my spot to listen to the conversation. To see the side of Raegan that has always lured me in—any guy who says boobs are a girl’s best asset has never met a girl like Raegan whose mind is filled with sharp wit, compassion, knowledge, and a level of compassion that makes my knees weak.

“Is there anything that can be done?”

“We’re trying. You know how laws go with water, though. No one claims responsibility for the area, and when no one feels the impact, it’s hard for them to care or even consider how it’s impacting a species they know little about.”

“Isn't that the truth,” Maggie says.

“Speaking of which, I need to call Hans and see if he can get one of the other volunteers to go out. I’m scheduled to go out in the morning, and I’d rather spend the time here with you since you’re leaving so soon.”

“Do you think they’d let me come?” Maggie asks.

Rae’s surprise dances across her raised brow. “Would you want to?”

“Hell yes. I’m going to be landlocked for three years. I would love to get out and see the ocean.”

Rae winces like the reminder causes physical pain. “It’s going to be cold,” she warns her.

Maggie grins. “I’ve got coats.”

“You’re taking her whale watching?” Pax asks, setting his phone down.

“Be jealous,” Maggie teases.

“How come you never offer me to go out?”

“Well, you know, because it’s my job, not a tourist attraction, and also the fact you pretty much live at the gym.”

“Can I go?” Pax looks at me. “Lincoln, do you want to come?”

I look at Raegan, seeing the invisible noose dangling in front of her. “Technically, I can probably swing it, but if I ask the aquarium, you have to be committed. I don’t want to ask for this favor, and then you don’t show up.”

Pax draws a large ‘x’ over his chest. “Swear.”

“You guys are going to be so bored,” Raegan warns, looking at them as though she’s mentally dismissed the possibility that I'll accept the invitation.

Mrs. Lawson comes in from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a dishtowel. “I thought I heard you guys.”

“I invited Lincoln to join us for dinner,” Pax says.

“Actually, I did,” Maggie says.

Mrs. Lawson has her permanent smile on. It’s what makes coming here easier and why I accepted invitations to come over freshman year. “Good. Good,” she says, closing the gap between us and placing a hand on my shoulder. “How are you feeling? We watched the last game and were so worried when you got hit. That was just awful.”

Raegan bites the corner of her lip, looking at my shoulder like she can see the pain.

“It knocked the air out of me, but that was all,” I tell her.

Her smile grows with relief. “Come on.” She links her arm with mine, leading me toward the kitchen.

“I’m serious about the boat,” Pax says. “I don’t have any classes tomorrow, just the gym in the morning. I can be ready by ten.” He looks at me. “You should come, man.”

The scents of thyme and fried chicken distract me from my need to make a quick excuse in the kitchen.

“Where?” Mom asks.

“Rae’s taking us out on a boat tomorrow,” Maggie tells her. “Did you know she could do that?”

Dr. Lawson flips a piece of chicken, grease popping like a firecracker that has him taking a step back. “She had to get her license to drive the boats,” he says. “It’s a nice perk since she volunteers so many hours there.”

“But, it’s about to all payoff.” Mrs. Lawson rubs a hand across Rae’s shoulders.

“What? Are they finally going to hire you?” Maggie grabs an empty wine glass.

Rae nods, taking a seat at the table. “Hopefully in January.”

“That’s awesome! You’ll have your degree and the experience. You’re going to be able to transfer anywhere,” Maggie says.

“You should go.” Mrs. Lawson looks at me. “Rae knows the Sound better than any guide.”

“Where have you been? I thought you had today off work?” Dr. Lawson looks at Raegan for a moment before turning his attention back to the hot pan. He looks foreign in front of the stove wearing a sweater vest.

“I was off today.” Raegan keeps her gaze on the table in front of her.

I stare at her, waiting for her to meet my gaze and explain why in the hell she was out on a date with that asshole. I saw him out with another girl. This was supposed to be over.

Raegan takes a drink of the water she poured when walking into the kitchen. “I went and played miniature golf with Derek.”

Paxton’s attention snaps to mine, confusion apparent in his narrowed eyes. “What?”

Maggie pulls her head back, a slow smile climbing as she grabs a filled glass of wine and takes a front-row seat.

“You can’t date my teammates.” Pax shakes his head.

“It’s not your decision,” Raegan says.

“Dad, tell her she can’t date a football player.”

“I have to side with Paxton on this one,” Dr. Lawson begins.

“Why would you?” Mrs. Lawson looks nearly indignant.

“That’s incredibly sexist of you, Dad,” Maggie adds.

“No. It’s reasonable. Dad knows.” Paxton throws a hand out toward him like it’s a lifeboat.

“Knows what?” Reagan’s voice has lost any semblance of patience.

“Yeah, Dad, what do you know that we don’t?” Maggie takes a measured sip, her claws out, ready to battle.

“He’s older. More experienced. That’s all I’m saying,” Dr. Lawson raises his hands with defeat.

“How would you know? Have you asked him how many sexual partners he’s had?” Maggie raises her eyebrows.

Dr. Lawson winces.

“You guys are all overreacting,” Mrs. Lawson chimes in. “It was one date, and they played mini-golf. I don’t think we need to get all excited just yet. Let Rae find out if she even likes the guy.”

“Why would she go on a date with him if she didn’t like him?” Dr. Lawson asks the same damn question that refuses to be heard by my conscience.

“There’s only one thing he wants from you, and you know it.” Pax points a finger at me. “You saw him at the party.”

“Good conversation? Intellect? Humor?” Raegan lists off her bullshit answers with conviction. I don’t know if he’s that good of a liar or if she’s that delirious.

“What do we know about this guy?” Dr. Lawson asks, looking at his wife.

Raegan clamps a hand over her eyes and tips her head back, growling with frustration. “Conversation over.”

“Yeah, this isn’t going anywhere good,” Maggie says. “At this point, Pax and Dad are going to have stockings filled with prunes because they’re clearly full of shit.”

Mrs. Lawson raises her glass in a toast. “Prunes!” Maggie giggles, raising her glass to the same toast.

Pax huffs out a sigh, defeat in his shoulders but missing from his eyes that remain on Raegan. “Outside,” he says.

For a moment, I think he’s directing the comment at me. Asking for my input on how we can keep dickface away, but then he jerks his chin toward Rae and turns toward the back door.

“You should let him just go out there and cool off,” Maggie says. “He’ll get over it. Besides, I want to hear more about Derek.”

“I’ll be right back.” Raegan flips on the outside lights and closes the door behind her, leaving me in the kitchen with her parents, older sister, and enough anger I can’t see straight.

This is the end of all of the bonus scenes from the Bending the Rules and Breaking the Rules Duet! I hope you loved them! If you haven’t finished the Dating Playbook series, click the image to read Defining the Rules, the next book in the series.