Page 97 of Unspoken Rules

I see him.

“I’m not dating anyone.”

He looks at me, pursing his lips. “So you just like fucking people, then?”

Damn, Bryson. Where did that come from?

I raise a brow and he holds my gaze.

“I like fucking you.”

“And the woman from the diner, apparently.”

I shake my head. “It wasn’t like that. Honestly, it wasn’t even good, which is why it only happened once. It was a mistake.”

“I’ve heard that before,” he mutters, focusing on loading the dishwasher.

I grab his arm and tug him toward me, spinning so he’s caged against the counter. “Do not ever compare me to some immature little shit who cheats on someone and uses the stupid excuse that it was a mistake.”

He grits his teeth, looking away and proving my point that it’s exactly what his ex did to him. Bryson never told me, but I’ve been around long enough to figure it out.

“Haven’t you?” he mutters.

My brows furrow and I grip his jaw, forcing him to look at me.

“What the hell does that mean?”

“Nothing,” he mumbles, closing his eyes.

“Look at me,” I demand. He squeezes his eyes tighter before opening them. “Tell me what you’re talking about.” I hold his gaze, noting his eyes are slightly unfocused. He seems almost bored, but I’m pretty sure he’s losing himself. I hate that the fire in his eyes is gone.

“I can’t.”

“Why the hell not?” I drop my hand, confident he won’t turn away again.

“Because even though Chris is a dick, he’s still my friend and I’m not getting in the middle of your fight.”

He may not want to tell me or get into the middle, but the more he speaks, the more hints he gives me. And maybe he’s doing that on purpose, or maybe I’m just hoping he is. Either way, I’m going to figure this out. It seems he’s under the impression I’ve cheated on someone before. And he got this information from Chris. I’ve barely dated anyone since Tabitha and I got divorced. There were a few quick things here and there, but nothing serious. I was too busy focusing on my son and my business. Which makes me think he can only think I cheated on Tabitha.

But why the hell would he think that?

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Bryson

Dinner comes out better than I expected it would. For not having made anything in years, chicken parmesan wasn’t super difficult, but it isn’t the easiest thing either.

“This is delicious, Bryson. Where did you learn to cook?”

I grin at him. “I actually can’t remember the last time I used a stove to cook anything.”

“No way.”

“Seriously. My dad has cooks, and all we had in my dorm was a microwave. I cooked more when I was here, and it wasn’t often since you did it.”

He points at his plate with his fork. “I’m impressed.”

That has me grinning from ear to ear. I really needed to hear that.

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