Rewriting the Rules (14 page)

“He’s one of my clients.” I see the color in her face turn pale. She looks away from me and focuses on the show. “So did you have a fun time?”

“Do you want to know?”

“We’re friends. I want to know what you’re doing.”

In all honesty, I just want to see where her head is at with Reed and if he’s someone serious. I can’t imagine her falling for a dork like him.

“The date was fine. He’s nice to talk to.”

“That’s it?” She nods her head and I take that as she’s not interested in him at all.

The next morning, Will comes over and we work out. It’s too early in the morning and I’m running on about two hours of sleep. All last night my mind went to Charlotte and her sweetness. After running six miles I hit the weights hard. My arms feel like Jell-O and my shoulders hurt, but I push through.

“Relax, man,” Will tells me. “Take a break. You’re shaking.”

“Yeah,” I breathe out and take a drink of water. “Tired as fuck. Couldn’t sleep last night.”

“You look beat up. What’s up?”

I shake my head. “Nothing. I don’t want girl time right now, Wilma.”

“Whatever, man. Your grouchy ass needs ass or else I’m buying you a hooker. How long has it been,” he asks, but I dismiss his question.

We work out for a few hours before I head home and jump in the shower. The cold water feels good on my sore body. I’m thinking a massage is in order. Getting out of the shower, I change into sweats and a tee and head downstairs to make lunch. My phone buzzes on the island counter.

Will:
Party tonight. Your grouchy ass needs to be around hot females.

Me:
Where at?

Will:
My place.

Will:
Don’t be a pussy.

Me:
Fine I’ll be there.

When I get to Will’s house, I’m surprised with how big the party is that he’s having. A few women wave and smile at me as I walk through the house to find Will or Carter.

“Troy!” I turn and see Jane calling for me. I smile and go to her, bringing her in for a hug. “Hi.”

“Hi beautiful.” I kiss the side of her head as we walk outside away from the loud music and crowd. There are some people outside mingling and drinking. Nothing too out of control.

“Thank you again for my meal plan and customized workout. Everything’s working out so well and I’m already down five pounds and I can do more dead lifts,” she informs me. “I hope you like what I made you! I’ll bring it by tomorrow.”

“I’ll love everything you make me. Be sure to bring little miss Avery over too.”

“I will. She misses her Uncle Troy.”

“I miss her too.”

We talk a little more about Avery and eventually Carter comes out and hands me a bottle of beer. “Not drinking tonight,” I ask her.

“DD,” she looks at Carter and gives me a kiss. “Gotta make sure you guys are safe.”

I look to see if Charlotte’s around and check the time. It’s almost eleven so she should be home from work.

“Who are you looking for,” Jane asks giving me a knowing look.

“No one.”

“Lies,” she slaps my hand. “Tell me.”

“No one,” I laugh. “Really. I’m here to relax and spend time with everyone. Excuse me, please.” I head back inside and scope out the scene. Will’s in the corner talking to some blonde. She’s laughing at whatever the hell he’s saying. Just then I see Charlotte with Reed. They’re laughing while his hand is resting on her knee. I ignore some people as I walk in and see them talking. She’s holding a glass of wine and he’s drinking a beer. They’re close together and the dress she’s wearing is too revealing. I’m going to kill him.

Before I can say anything, I remember us talking about being friends. I’m the one who dismissed her and let her go. She’s old enough to do whatever she wants, but Reed knows to fucking stay away.

“Troy?” I look up and fuck, she saw me before I could walk away. “Hey! You made it.” Charlotte gets up and throws her arms around my waist. I look at Reed and see the huge smile on his face.

“Coach Troy,” he gives me a manly one-arm hug and then stands next to Charlotte, taking her hand into his. Fucker.

“What’s going on, man,” he asks.

“Nothing much, buddy. Just wanted to come hang out and party. How are you both doing tonight?”

“Just fine. I was just telling Charlotte here about Texas and she really wants to go visit.”

“I sure do!” She laughs and drinks more of her wine.

I can’t focus on anything right now except how he’s touching Charlotte and how much she’s enjoying herself.

“I’ll be back, sweetpea.”
Sweetpea? Who the fuck?

“Oh, okay. Bye,” she giggles in my arms and takes my hand to sit back down. “I had the most hellish day at work. I need to unwind and relax,” she smiles and drinks her wine. “When did you get here?”

“A little bit ago. I was outside with Jane and Carter.”

“OhmyGod I love Jane. She’s so beautiful. I’m so glad I met her.”

“Glad you two are friends. So you’re still with Reed huh?”

“Yeah. We’re spending time together. It’s a work in progress, I guess.”

“He’s not good enough for you, Charlotte.”

“I don’t care what you think.” She glares at me and I have to smile. She’s fucking adorable when she’s mad like this.

“Well, sweetheart,” I lean in closer. “Even though we can’t do anything, it doesn’t mean I want someone else inside you.” Her breath hitches.

“Whatever, Troy,” she brushes me off. “You’re the one who pushed
me
away. You can’t keep doing this. Reed makes me smile, okay?”

“Let’s go for a walk and sit outside.” I pull her up before she answers and drag her outside. I love the view right now. Will’s backyard is wide open and gives us a chance to sit without being interrupted.

“So what’s going on?”

“I wanted to be outside and talk to you.”

“Is everything okay?” I nod. “I heard you and Will on the phone a few days ago.”

“Work’s been getting to me,” I start to say. “Sometimes it’s hard to talk to Will because he gets his clients so well and I’m struggling.”

“Why are you so hard on yourself sometimes?”

“When my clients don’t meet their goals and I have to adjust their plans, it worries me.” I clear my throat. “I take full responsibility, especially if I know they’re telling me the truth and aren’t fudging their numbers. Then I really feel bad. I don’t want them to fail.”

“You’re not seeing what I see, Troy. What I’ve always seen in you.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I think you underestimate yourself. You carry this weight on your shoulders and feel the need to make everything and everyone better. You’re so special, Troy.” Her words are hitting my chest hard. There’s a fiery ache and I want to hear her talk more. “To me, you’re the world.”

“I need to leave,” I tell her and swallow hard. Walking out of the house, I head back home and sit outside in my backyard, watching the stars shine off the water. Hanging my head low, I think about Charlotte, and curse myself for not going after her when I had the chance. I’m holding onto her and the feelings. Although, I can’t bring myself to be with her, knowing she’s here means more. I’d surrender everything to her-heart and soul.

I just can’t allow myself to get hurt by her again.

The ghostly remnants of our past lingers. I am who I am today because of my fear that people will leave. I don’t give myself fully to anyone. Bringing myself to that level of happiness isn’t for me. It’ll never be for me.

I’m the devil and she’s the pure angel. I can’t taint her.

I won’t.

I’ll live in my own prison torment alone. That’s how it should be. That’s how it will be.

Chapter 18

Charlotte

It’s Saturday night and I’m home alone with my messy bun on top of my head and a radiance peel mask on my face. The bottle says this will brighten, smooth, and hydrate my face. For fifty-five dollars, it better.

I’ve stayed away from Troy these past few days since our weird conversation outside. For him to say half of the shit he does, pisses me off. Each time I think we’re making progress, something happens and it’s back to square one.

Flopping on the couch with my glass, makeup bag, and several different movie choices, I take a drink of my deliciously refreshing wine and lean back to look at my makeup. Taking a look at my nails, I decide the pink isn’t working for me anymore. I browse through my nail polishes and make the decision to paint these pretties with neon orange.

Decision made.

Done.

That’s how I roll.

After taking off the previous polish, I get up and pop in
Something Borrowed.
This movie is the best. The story line is classic and tissues are definitely needed. Boy and girl meet in college and fall in love, but neither says anything until girl’s best friend meets boy, and a few years later boy and best friend are getting married.

Then boom. Plot twist.

Sitting back on the couch and picking up the polish, I think about Troy and if that happened to us. I don’t think it would. He broke up with Andrea, but that’s because she’s a dirty slutbagwhore. At this point I’m annoyed. I see Kate Hudson’s character on TV and grip the polish bottle tightly in my hand. If a blonde bombshell tries to get near Troy, I will drown her in the lake.

It’s a Saturday, and I’m home.
How lame.
I wonder what he’s doing. Would he want to hang out with me? Internally groaning, I pick up my phone and think about texting him. Noticing the time, ten thirty p.m., different thoughts go through my head. He could be out right now with Will. Two gorgeous single men are out around town and I’m sure women are throwing themselves at them.

Jealousy rears its ugly head. I hardly ever get jealous. When it comes to Troy, my protectiveness comes out and no one can be near him.

I open the top of the polish and carefully apply the pretty color on my nails. It’s sad that this is what I’m doing when I could be out and about.

I shouldn’t be feeling these things. Troy and I aren’t together and we aren’t having sex so what’s the big deal. I’m moving on and forcing myself to get back into the dating world. He can do whatever he wants.

But when we’re together, I feel better and completely connected to him. It’s something I can’t describe. How can you describe love?

I groan and finish painting my nails. Turning my attention back to the movie, I refill my glass of wine and soon I’m on bottle two with
She’s the Man
playing.

Feeling restless, I lie down and close my eyes to Channing Tatum working out. A woman would think staying awake to watch that sexy man is necessary, but this girl needs sleep.

The sun shines through the windows into the living room. Slowly getting up and stretching my arms over my head, I look around and see the remnants of last night’s adventures staring at me.

Everything’s quiet and I take a few more minutes on the comfortable couch to relax before starting the day. Granted, it’s Sunday, and my day off so that means relaxation and cooking breakfast for brother dearest.

Picking myself up from the couch, I head to the kitchen and take out the ingredients I need: eggs, bacon, sausage, spinach, onions, cheese, tomatoes, and potatoes. I get into my breakfast cooking groove and pop the pan of diced potatoes into the oven, looking at the little bowls with the omelet choices. Feeling satisfied, I open the refrigerator again to get the container of orange juice. When I turn around, a blonde fucking bombshell with just-fucked hair is staring at me with her head cocked to the side.

I know Will. He’s not into blondes.

Son of a bitch.

Troy slept over and brought home his play thing.

“Uh, hi?”

“Who are you,” she asks me in her stupid whiney voice.

“I’m Will’s sister and this is my home so I should be asking who you are and why you’re in my kitchen in next to nothing?”

“Huh? I don’t get what you’re saying.” I roll my eyes and see Troy walking in. I turn my attention to him and growl. “You brought home a girl?”

“What?”

“I didn’t come home with him. Like, who do you think I am? The one I came back with is still sleeping,” she giggles. “We had a long night.”

“Ew.” I raise my hand. “Stop. Go away. Now,” I snap at her.

“You’re so rude,” she complains and marches herself out of the kitchen.

I don’t want to look at Troy right now. The intensity of his gaze is searing into my back and I feel like an idiot. I hate this anxious feeling. God, this sucks.

“Feel better?”

“Shut up,” I tell him and finish my juice. “So my brother is a whore. Sorry I got you two mixed up.”

He comes over to me and touches my cheek. “Your skin is so soft,” he whispers low, almost as if he didn’t mean to say it out loud. He leans in close. “I like how mad you get.”

I’m in so much trouble.

Chapter 19

Troy

Pulling up to Will’s house, I notice Sal’s car and hurry inside. If I knew that fucker was here today I’d have been over a lot sooner.

I walk inside and hear laughing from the kitchen. I head that way and see Sal showing her pictures on his phone. Her hand is on his forearm and they’re standing too fucking close together.

“She’s so cute! Jane and I are getting together later this week so I can meet Avery.”

“Yeah, that’s my girl,” he smiles. “One day I hope to have a little girl.” This brings a smile to Charlotte’s face and a pissed off expression to mine. That fucker doesn’t want kids.

“I didn’t expect you would be here today,” I say to get their attention. I look her up and down. She’s wearing a short dress with her hair curly and makeup done lightly. Damn, she’s beautiful. “You’re not working today?”