Page 31 of Unspoken Rules

Cole nods, and I turn to leave but he grips my wrist, causing me to stop. I turn toward him, looking at where his hand is holding me, then up to his face.

“You’re doing amazing, Bryson.” His voice is low, his fingers are searing my skin. “I’m proud of you.”

Emotion clogs my throat, but I manage to croak out a “Thanks.”

I swear he runs his thumb along my skin, but obviously I’m crazy because why would he do that?

When he drops my arm, I give him a smile and leave the room, my heart pounding as I hurry up the stairs. I jump in the shower, change, and text Chris to let him know I’m on my way to Mark’s. I don’t get an answer, and when I show up at Mark’s, I find out why.

Chapter Thirteen

Cole

Bryson leaves my office, his scent lingering in the room. I close my eyes and breathe it in. Having him here has been a struggle since the very second he showed up, which concerns me because it’s barely been two days. If I’m already feeling like this, what am I going to do in a week? Two weeks? A month?

The problem is, I feel it from him too. The hesitation and tension. He’s different around me than he used to be. How could he not, after what we did? Of course things have changed. But he’s fighting it, and I can’t help but be proud of him for that. Bryson knows right from wrong. He knows what we did shouldn’t have happened. And though he’s warring with it, the way I am, he’s being mature about it. And fuck, it only makes me want him more.

I hadn’t expected wanting him to be a problem. Not really sure what came over me that night in Astoria. I’ve thought of it so many times and can’t come up with a valid reason for crossing all those lines. I can’t say I regret it, because I don’t, but it sure made things difficult. It was easy when he wasn’t here, but now that he is? Now that he’s sleeping in a room just down the hall, probably jerking off every night. Knowing he’s naked in the shower. Also probably jerking off. He’s a young guy, of course he’s jerked off all over this house. And I really need to stop imagining him doing it because it’s driving me mad. Does he think about me while he does it? Picture me stroking his cock for him? Or am I really making this shit up? Seeing things I want to see? But I don’t want to see it. That’s the thing. It’s best if we avoid and ignore all of this. So no, I’m not making this up. It’s happening. This struggle is a two-way street.

Which makes this even more difficult. Had I known he wasn’t interested, it would be easier to let it go. But knowing he wants me as badly as I want him? Fucking hell, it’s torture.

As tough as it is, I’m glad he’s here. Not for me, but for my son. Chris is struggling, and I hope Bryson being here will help him. Lord knows my son won’t let me help him. He hardly talks to me these days. And not for lack of trying on my end. I try too much. Not that, as a parent, that’s a thing… but it is. I can be overbearing. But of course I am, because he’s my son. I want to help him figure his shit out.

I let out a sharp breath, sit in my chair and wake up my computer. I’ve been trying not to work on the weekends, but when you own your own business, you’re working 24/7, whether you like it or not.

Now’s as good a time as any to check my emails, considering I barely have time to do it when we’re on site. I’d rather work seven days a week and get home early than work late into the night on weekdays and have the weekend off.

I regret hopping on my computer the moment I open the email app and see an email from Icarus DeFranco, owner of DeFranco Furniture. The preview already has my blood pressure sky-rocketing, and when I open the email and read it all, it only gets worse.

Mr. Harper, we appreciate your interest in taking on our new location, and though you’ve won the bid, we’ve decided to take a different direction. Please don’t let this discourage you from bidding on jobs in—

I don’t read further. Doesn’t matter. I know exactly why this happened, and it only pisses me off. I grab my phone and call my buddy, who works at the furniture store.

“Cole. How’s it going?” His tone tells me he has no idea his boss denied me the job that he had no reason to deny me.

“What happened, Jeremy?”

“What do you mean?”

“I got an email saying he’s going in another direction.”

“Shit,” he curses quietly. There are some heavy footsteps, and he adds, “I don’t know, Cole. I spoke to him and vouched for you. He seemed convinced.”

“He didn’t say anything about it?” I ask, keeping my tone calm. It isn’t Jeremy’s fault this happened, so I won’t take my anger out on him. Not like I can take it out on the person who deserves it. At least, I shouldn’t.

“No, I swear. I didn’t even know he’d made a decision yet.”

He may not know the reason, but I do. I was just hoping calling Scott would prove me wrong. But I’m not wrong. This is all thanks to the same person who’s been giving me a hard time since high school. More so than ever over the last five years.

“If you hear anything, can you tell me?”

“You know I will.”

“Thanks, man.”

“I can talk to him again?” he offers.

“Don’t think it’ll help. Pretty sure this has nothing to do with me, and everything to do with the Bart fucking Montgomery.”

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