Exploring the Rules: An Enemies-to-Lovers Sports Romance Standalone Page 33

  “Lacrosse,” Arlo scoffs. “How is that even a sport?”

  “Okay, I’m really going this time.” I take two steps back, offering a half-hearted wave before turning around.

  “Yes,” Paxton says. “Focus on school and important shit.”

  “Like you do?” Poppy asks, sarcasm has her lowering her chin and raising her eyebrows.

  “Do what I say not what I do, or however that shit goes.” He jogs the few feet to catch up to me and drapes an arm over my shoulders, matching my pace.

  “Hey, Lawson!”

  Paxton and I both turn at the sound of our last name. Lincoln stands beside Arlo, grinning.

  “What?” Pax yells.

  “Nothing.” Lincoln shakes his head, and then a girl walks past him, saying something to him that I can’t hear from where we’re stopped some hundred feet away.

  He’s too far away, and my brother is standing too close to confirm it, but I swear Lincoln’s looking directly at me.

  I swallow, staring back.

  “See,” Pax whispers. “Trust me. You don’t want to deal with dating an athlete.” His arm around my shoulders tightens, and he begins to turn, leaving me to follow him, my head on a swivel as I try to watch Lincoln’s reaction.

  The last thing I see before I turn toward the math building is Lincoln flashing a smile to the stranger.

  Continue Reading Bending the Rules

  Acknowledgments

  First and foremost, thank you so much for reading this book. I know there are hundreds of thousands of amazing books, and I truly appreciate you choosing to read this one.

  A very special thanks to Karen Cundy and Lisa Ackroyd for helping me with all of my British knowledge and answering a ridiculous number of questions. You two are rockstars and I love you dearly.

  To my husband who learned how to poach eggs while I wrote this book and delivered dinner to my desk most nights, you prove romance isn’t always a hot makeout scene but about dependability and teamwork.

  And a HUGE thank you to my editor, Arielle Brubaker, who is so instrumental to my sanity each time I get stuck! XO!

  About the Author

  Mariah Dietz is a USA Today Bestselling Author and self proclaimed nerd. She lives with her husband and sons in North Carolina.

  Mariah grew up in a tiny town outside of Portland, Oregon where she spent most of her time immersed in the pages of books that she both read and created.

  She has a love for all things that include her family, good coffee, books, traveling, and dark chocolate. She's also been known to laugh at her own jokes.

  www.mariahdietz.com

  mariah@mariahdietz.com

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