Page 37 of Unspoken Rules

“Doesn’t look like nothing,” he says, stepping into the hallway. He’s wearing that concerned father look. Like he really wants to know what’s wrong. I know he could make it better, for me at least. But we can’t do that.

“It’s just Chris, he’s—”

“Drunk?” he adds harshly.

“Yeah.”

“He’s been drinking a lot lately,” he says.

I move further into the house, leaning against the wall a short distance from Cole.

“Why?”

“I don’t know. He won’t talk to me about it. Says he’s just having fun.”

“I’d believe that if I didn’t just see what I saw.”

Cole sighs. “Should I be concerned?”

I shake my head and answer honestly. “The drinking is the worst thing. What I saw has nothing to do with him getting into trouble or anything like that. Just him being a dick.” I flinch the moment the word leaves my mouth. “Sorry, I know he’s your son, but…”

I’m grateful when he doesn’t react.

“Wanna talk about it?” he asks.

I huff out a laugh. “Thanks, but the less I have to recall what I saw, the better. I’m gonna take a nap.”

Cole nods, moving out of the way for me to head up the stairs. I lay down in bed and fall right to sleep.

Chapter Fifteen

Bryson

It’s dark when I wake up, the clock showing it’s about ten.

Five-hour nap. Totally what I needed. Now I’ll be up all night.

I head downstairs, and my mouth waters as the smell of dinner still fills the house. I find a note on the fridge saying it’s in the oven, so I open it and pull out a bowl full of roast beef, potatoes, and carrots. I heat it up, and when it’s done, I take it to the table to sit and eat. As I take my first bite, I realize I haven’t eaten anything since breakfast.

“Oh, hey,” Cole says, walking into the kitchen. “I didn’t wake you, did I?”

I look up, practically choking on my food when I see him in nothing but a pair of red swim trunks that are wet and clinging to his body. I reach for my water and take a sip.

As calmly as I can, I answer, “Nope. My stomach did.”

“I’m out for a swim if you wanna join?”

“Isn’t it like 60 degrees?”

He smirks as he pulls open the fridge door. “The pool is heated.”

“Well, shit. You didn’t tell me that.” I scoop a big bite into my mouth, wanting to finish so I can check out this heated pool. “I still don’t have a swimsuit though.”

“My comment from last time is the same,” he responds, glancing at me over his shoulder. I keep my eyes on him, even though they’re begging to wander south and take in his firm round ass.

Swimming in my underwear in front of Cole? This could end well…

Or really, really badly.

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