Page 124 of Unspoken Rules

Banging on the window jolts both of us, and we turn to see Mark’s face pressed against the window.

“Ew, you’re dirtying my car with your greasy face!” she shouts.

“My face isn’t greasy!” he yells back, his voice muffled from being outside the car.

Mila looks back at me with a sad smile. “Talk later?”

I nod, and we get out of the car.

That’s twice I’ve almost told her. Twice I’ve been interrupted. Maybe it’s the universe telling me to keep my mouth shut. I just wish I had someone to talk to about this, to bounce my thoughts off of. To see if I’m as bad of a person as I think I am. Or maybe someone to reassure me that I’m not the devil himself because of what I’m doing. That falling into something safe isn’t a horrible thing.

“Happy birthday!” Mark shouts, pulling me into a hug.

“Thanks, man.”

Onyx is walking toward us. He clicks the button to lock his car just before he reaches me. He hugs me and also wishes me a happy birthday, tugging his beanie down in place as we head toward the front door.

“Just waiting for Tomas,” Mila says, rocking back on her heels.

“Isn’t that him over there?” Onyx asks, pointing to a car driving in.

“Yep, definitely him,” I say, waving at him. “That car sticks out like a sore thumb.”

“Bribe gifts always do,” Mark mutters.

“Bribe gifts?” I ask. I thought it was an apology gift. Thought his father gave it to him as an apology for sleeping with Cole. God, the thought has me seeing red brighter than the fucking car.

“Apparently he caught his dad cheating on his mother, so his dad bought him the car to keep his mouth shut,” Mark explains with a laugh. “Not a bad idea, right?”

I frown, watching Tomas get out of the car. No, it isn’t a bad idea, but it certainly has me changing my opinion on Tomas. Because this isn’t the impression I was under about the entire thing.

I thought he was in the same boat as Chris in all this. Thought he was upset about the whole thing. That’s how he made it seem when we chatted. And maybe he is, but taking a bribe for it is kind of shitty. Though, with the way Chris is behaving, I wouldn’t doubt he’d do the same. Actually, maybe not. Chris is so mad he wouldn’t want anything from his father.

Something about all of this isn’t adding up, and I have no idea how to get the truth without going to the source. And that’s not something I can do. Not without betraying Chris.

Again…

We take up two sides of the hibachi grill and the other people we’re sat with are also celebrating a birthday, meaning our area is the loudest. We have fun. The chef is great, jokes around with us, and plays into how excited we are. He makes the experience ten times better. The food is delicious, but the experience is memorable. Spending a night with my friends, not worrying about anything but having fun, is just what I needed.

I need to do this more often.

We’re waiting for dessert to come when Tomas leans over. “Do you want to do something after this?”

“I’m beat. It’s been a long week at work,” I say.

He nods, not seeming upset at my declination. “How is that going?”

“Pretty good, actually. It’s weird having a big boy job, but I love what I do.”

“Bet it’s better than managing a bank.” He pouts.

I grin. “I get to draw things all day. It’s way better.”

He laughs, and so do I. I like that he isn’t pushing about the hanging out thing. But something about the bribe comment is still bothering me. I want to ask him but know I shouldn’t. I don’t want to ruin my birthday dinner by starting a stupid argument over what is probably just me being jealous.

“If you’re thinking about getting a car, I can talk to my dad?”

I bark out a laugh. “Don’t think I make enough money to afford a BMW.”

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