Page 134 of Unspoken Rules

I nod. “I really wanted to. Felt like I needed someone’s opinion, but I don’t think it would have changed anything. This was inevitable. Cole and I never could have worked out, and I’m stupid for allowing my heart into it. I should have known better.”

“There’s nothing wrong with you for hoping, Bryson. We all just want to be happy and free to love the people we want. Do you think it’s salvageable?”

I shake my head, kicking off the ground to swing us more. “No way. Not with the way Chris freaked out. Cole hasn’t reached out to me, and I can’t blame him. How can I ask him to choose me over his son?”

“He shouldn’t have to choose.”

“Exactly.”

“And you’re not the one making him choose. Chris is.”

“Doesn’t matter.”

I understand what she’s getting at, but it doesn’t matter. The point is someone is making him choose, and we knew that would be the case from the beginning. I can only blame myself for not being strong enough to say no to him from the beginning. From that first night in Astoria.

“So, what are you going to do?”

I blow out a breath, and answer, “Just… move on, I guess. I’ve been putting in applications and emailing about apartments all week. No one has gotten back to me yet, but someone has to eventually.”

“You can stay here as long as you need. We have plenty of room and it’s no trouble.”

“I appreciate that more than you know, but I really need to get a handle on my own life for once. Everyone has always done things for me, and I need to grow up one of these days.”

“You have grown up. A lot. Don’t think you haven’t just because your heart broke. That doesn’t make you immature or naïve. It just makes you a romantic.” She looks up at me, smiling.

I huff out a laugh and put my arm around her.

“We deserve so much better,” I say, resting my head on top of hers.

She sighs, snuggling closer. “Yeah. We really do.”

Chapter Fifty-Six

Bryson

Most people say Monday mornings are the worst. I used to think that too, but it’s recently changed. They’re my favorite day of the week now. My weekends are spent mulling around and wallowing in misery, wishing my life didn’t suck so much. I fight with wanting to do something to occupy my mind, but not having the energy to do it. My brain doesn’t stop. I’m both exhausted and not at the same time. But Monday mornings bring work, and work is something to focus on. It’s enough of a distraction that chunks of time go by when I’m not thinking about Cole.

I used to hate Mondays because it meant leaving Cole. Now I love them because it keeps my mind off him. Other than the ride to and from work, of course, because how can I not think of him while I’m driving that car?

I still can’t believe he bought me a car.

Maybe one day I’ll forget about it.

Or maybe one day I’ll burn it to make myself forget about it.

My desk phone rings, which is odd. It hasn’t rung once since I’ve been here. All of our communication goes through email or people walking up to my desk—since we’re all in the same room.

“Hello, this is Bryson.”

“Good morning, Bryson. It’s Charles Baker. Could I see you in my office, please?”

My mouth goes dry even though his tone is chipper. Charles Baker is a big boss. One on the eighth floor.

“Sure. Right now, sir?” I ask carefully.

“Yes, please.”

“I’ll be right up.”

---