Nobody Falls for the Opening Act (Break the Rules Book 2)

Chapter 12

We arrive back at the hotel in the early twilight hours.

As I step out of the car, I look up into the dark sky. Barely a star is visible for miles and miles.

I release a sigh. At least the weight on my shoulders feels lighter now.

We say goodnight to the student who gave us a ride and make our way inside. The golden lobby is near-empty. The front desk worker spots us immediately and offers that warm Botsford employee smile I know so well.

Silently, we board the elevator.

Even quieter, we ride together to the twentieth floor.

As we arrive, I step off first, feeling Harvey’s light steps behind me. “Hey, Addison,” he says.

“Yeah?”

We reach my suite at the end of the hall. I search my pockets for my room key.

“Do…” Harvey bites his cheek. “Do the others know you do this?” he asks. “You know, escape into the night with pervy professors and watch the stars?”

“Uh…” I laugh off his jab at Professor Birkin as I find my key, but I don’t unlock the door yet. “No, they don’t know I do this. And I would appreciate it if you would keep it to yourself.”

Harvey nods. “Okay. It’ll be… our little secret,” he says with a warm smile that makes his eyes even handsomer… somehow.

“Thank you.” After unlocking the door, I push it open. “Well, I guess I’ll see you at breakfast.”

“Yeah. You, too. Addison?”

I will myself to look at him. “Hm?”

Harvey swallows. “You do matter, you know,” he says. “To your friends, to your fans, and to… other people.”

I nod slowly. “I know.”

“It’s just… you said back in the woods that you didn’t, and I… I wanted you to know that it’s not true. You do matter.”

I smile, his words filled with a weight he couldn’t possibly know about. “Thank you, Harvey.”

“You’re welcome.”

He lingers outside my door, his tired eyes searching my face until he gently shifts forward, his head tilting as he purses his— oh.

Oh, no.

I lean away from his kiss. “What are you doing?” I ask.

Harvey stops. “I, uh…”

“Please step back.”

He hops away. “Sorry. I was just…”

“Completely misreading that moment?”

“What? No.” He shakes his head. “No, no, no. I was… I was just giving you a goodnight kiss. A friendly goodnight kiss between… friends.”

“Do you usually kiss your friends goodnight on the lips?”

“All the time!”

I raise a doubtful brow.

“No, really,” he says. “It’s super common in Chicago.”

“Is it?”

“Hell yeah! Especially at Alpha Delta Xi. I mean, some nights I can’t even fall asleep until August slips me a little tongue.”

I nod, unable to smother my smile. “Well, I’m sure August would be happy to do that for you tonight.”

“Oh, definitely.” Harvey takes another quick step back, his cheeks burning red. “So, I guess I’ll go… give his door a friendly knock.”

“You do that.”

“Goodnight, Addison.”

“Goodnight, Harvey.”

He pivots ninety-degrees and marches back down the hall.

I close the door behind me and smile.

What a dork.

He is cute, though.