The Only Rule

Chapter 11a: Love, and

“Ok all good?”

Dan asked, his right hand hanging onto the rim of his van’s trunk. Down below, Dominic and Tyler were lifting a Fender and an amp into the car. After they finished, they rubbed their hands like a fly scheming to annoy the rest of humanity.

Nodding in assurance, Hunt replied, “I think we’re all good,” then turned his head back and called out to Liam and Val, who were just descending the stairs, leaving the bar. “All out?”

Skipping a few steps, Liam shouted, “Yeah! All good!”

Turning back to Dan, Dominic nodded and let Dan close the trunk. Resting his hand on the cup, Dan looked over at him and asked, “Alright—so you really aren’t coming with us? Still fits for two more,”

“Nah, I’ll catch up later. Need to warm up the car anyway—baby’s been collecting dust,” Hunt said, patting the hood.

Dan raised a brow. “Hasn’t it been like—your daily ride for the month—”

“Well she needs even more TLC,” he grinned, brushing it off.

Still looked unconvinced, Dan tilted his head in confusion—before nodding to Tyler, who’s been holding back a laugh, proposing, “Just let the duo take it bro, we need to review anyway—”

“Naaah, not trusting her with them,” Dominic replied with a big grin, adding, “besides—Ren’s still gonna be late. I could review ‘em with her first—”

“Come on she’ll be out in 30—ok, how about we wait—”

“Bro, drop it.”

When Tyler cut him off, a hand already placed on Dan’s shoulder, nodding for him to just get the hint and leave the f**k out.

From the back, Val walked past, casting Hunt a narrowed, knowing look, a mischievous smile spreading across his face. Just then, Wyatt walked by and gave him a playful jolt to the head, laughing, “Zip it, Dan. You act like you’ve never been in love before.”

Val chuckled and climbed into the van, but Dan still stood there, eyes darting between them, confused—until realization finally dawned. “Wait—” he started to piece it together, but Tyler, still grinning, was already dragging him into the driver’s seat. Once he was seated, Dan mouthed to Tyler, “Him and Paradis? No way—they’re mortal enemies—”

“Dan you’re a f*****g dipwit.” When from beside him, Val gave him an exasperated look.

“Quit it.” Dominic finally walked over with his arms folded, acting unbothered. Next to him, Liam had his arm casually slung around Dominic’s shoulders, an amused grin on his face. The sunlight cast a halo-like glow around the two blonds, like they were angels—albeit very mischievous ones.

Behind Dan’s dumbfounded look, Val leaned out of the van’s window. “Alright, meet us backstage later,” he said, smirking.

Hunt nodded, “Got it. Drive safe you guys.”

The three musketeers waved as the van pulled away, wearing matching grins—but not until Liam dropped a bomb.

“So, where were we?”

Hunt’s grin instantly turned into a frown. “Get lost,” he muttered, shrugging Wyatt’s arm off his shoulders. Cavill burst out laughing, following him as he stormed ahead, leaving the other blonde staring after them with a wtf look—before he groaned and jogged to catch up.

“So you’re telling me she’s still hung up on her ex—and yet you’re ready to dive in? She’s a Red flag, my dude!” he warned dramatically, throwing an exaggerated look at Dominic, before shifting his glare to Tyler to say, “Precedent.”

Tyler, taking offense, headlocked Liam, while Dominic looked at them with tired, exasperated eyes.

”Don’t let your guard down because of a pair of big goo goo eyes!” Liam warned with a dramatic tone—but Dominic wasn’t even listening anymore.

Because.. he spotted her.

Looking around in a denim dress—fitted with intricate straps and buckles, ready for the festival. And as she spotted him, her face lit up—long boots stomping on the ground as Renata immediately walked toward him. Her hair neatly braided, cascading down her shoulders as a big grin painted her lips.

Liam continued his babble, squabbling with Tyler, but Dominic’s gaze was locked—a grin spread across his face. And as he caught on, following Dominic’s line of sight, his face went slack in surprise. “Wait—didn’t you say her class ends in thirty minutes?!”

Eyes fixed on you, Hunt’s grin grew bigger as he revealed, “Who said she had class?” and without a second glance at them, he slipped away, ignoring their exasperated stares as he made a beeline toward her.

Tyler tried to intercept him, stepping in with a scolding look with a hand placed in front of his face—“Hunt—stay focused. Remember what we told you—” but he didn’t care. With a quick sidestep, he brushed past him, pace never faltering. Tyler sighed, glancing over at Liam. “‘Bros before hoes’ much?”

Liam, though equally annoyed, muttered, “The usual. It’s just Dominic Hunt having a little crush.”

Meanwhile, Hunt reached her. And as he skidded to a stop, an uncontainable grin lighting up his face.

“Hi.”

Tilting her head, Paradis couldn’t help but smile back. “Hi.” she replied, now grinning.

The two of them chuckled for a moment, before he jolted—quickly tapping the strap on her shoulder. Realizing what he meant, she gave a little gasp before rapidly putting them down, and he effortlessly took it from her—carrying her bag with ease.

“Wow amazing, it’s light,” he sarcastically blurted. She gave him a side eye—but still.. a slight smirk can’t help but slip off from her face.

From afar, Cavill and Wyatt watched the whole scene, jaws practically on the ground. “A little crush, you say?” Cavill muttered.

As the two walked past them, Renata greeted, “Hey Ty! Lili! Are you coming with us too—?”

“No they aren’t.” Hunt cut in quickly, face turning panicked as he shot them a look, clearly hoping they wouldn’t say anything stupid. But—fortunately—they were too stunned to speak even Dominic tilted his head in confusion. Shaking his head, he eagerly took the chance to gently steer her away, an arm wrapped protectively around her shoulders.

From a distance, they watched the two of you head toward the red Mustang. Eyes fixed even though all they could hear was mumbles as she was already too far away from them.

“Are they.. okay?” she asked, reluctantly casting a curious glance back.

“Just being dumb and dumber, the usual,” Dominic whispered playfully in her ears. Normally, they’d beat the hell out of him. But this time.. the scene was too blinding for all of that.

She chuckled, “So the gang already there?”

“Yeah, they wanted to check the waters first. We’ll meet them backstage.” Dominic lied—explained as he went to open the passenger door for her.

Tyler and Liam were still rooted to the spot, jaws dropped as they watched their bro reach over to shield Renata’s head so she wouldn’t bump it as she got in—then he jogged to the driver’s side, face glowing with a big grin.

As they drove off.. finally, Liam found his voice. “Did she just call me by a f*****g flower?”

Still with googly eyes, Tyler replied, “Yes she did—”

“And did I just see him carrying her pink—bag?”

“Yes you did..”

“And when he shielded her head—”

“Yes.”

Liam stared after the now-distant car, shaking his head in disbelief before muttering,

“Oh he is fucked.”

“Have you ever thought about how.. people’s lives are far from normal?”

The sun began to set, casting a warm orange glow across the sky. The road stretched on the horizon, orange hues painting the skies as Dominic chuckled behind the wheel. His Oakley sunglasses glinted in the light, though they couldn’t hide the amusement twinkling in his eyes.

“Oh I figured that out since a loooong time,” he boasted with a grin.

Enthusiastic, you turned in your seat to face him. “Care to elaborate?”

With a lopsided grin, he leaned in closer, making you scoot in eagerly.. until he said, “Remember the girl who sabotaged the rec room just so she could get back at her professor? What’s normal about that?”

And you shoved him in annoyance, scoffing—getting a loud laughter from him. He checked on you, already to find you pouting, glaring at him. He leaned again, but this time.. it’s to ruffle your hair.

“Don’t be maad~ Just kidding, love,”

Only to quickly shift his focus back to the road, leaving you staring at him with googly eyes. Caught off guard by the sudden gesture, you felt your cheeks warm and quickly turned your seat back to the road. Collecting yourself, the only thing you could say was, “You’re so annoying.”

He chuckled, but then, trying to pay off his debt, he shrugged, “But really—nothing’s ever normal. Everyone’s got.. something.”

Looking at him, you purse your lips in an approval pout—before you turn your head back to the front, nodding as you raise a brow. “Alright, Socrates,” you teased while he bounced his eyebrows proudly. But then, being no man’s peace, you shoot, “Ok now—”

“Man, you’re being so f*****g random right now—”

“Just listen!” you grinned, “How could you be heartbroken and happy at the same time?”

Mincing his eyes behind his sunglasses, Dom protested, “Heartbroken and happy at the same time—what is that bull?”

“You haven’t noticed?! You haven’t—come on! You must’ve felt it, once?”

He retracted his head, seemingly continuing to disagree, “No. I haven’t. What’s that bullshit—”

“Hey! No judge! This is golden hour session!”

He slowly turned to you in a mocking manner before he scoffed, “Golden hour session—oh my God what did I ever done wrong to deserve this—”

“You’re being—ironic,” you scoffed, crossing your arms, “what did I ever do to have a ride with you to some middle of nowhere festival—”

“Exposing your professor—”

“OH COME ON!”

And he laughed. again. You slumped back to the seat in resignation. After a short silence, his familiar smirk remained.. only for him to mutter, “I know I’m not the only one enjoying this.”

Hands folded before your chest, you turn to the window and sassed, “In your dr—”

“Yours.”