Page 168 of Unspoken Rules

Chapter Seventy

Bryson

Chris hugs me tightly.

“So pissed you took a job across the country.” He pulls back, looking at me and mutters, “Asshole.”

I huff out a laugh, but the last thing I feel is happy.

“I’m sorry, but I promise you it wasn’t a big deal before.”

He narrows his eyes, brow furrowing. “Because I was mad at you?”

I sigh, stepping further away from him. “Can you please stop talking about it? Hopefully you never remember and things stay like this. I like things like this. Us being this close? Fuck, it’s just what I need, Chris.”

He nods but doesn’t say anything. His gaze goes to the driveway, eyeing my car.

“You’re sure about this?”

No.

But what am I going to do with a car on the other side of the country?

“Yes.” I hand him the keys. “As long as you promise not to wrap it around a tree. It’s not garland.”

He chuckles. “I promise.” He takes the key, shoving it in his pocket. “And you’re sure you don’t want a ride to the airport?”

“Positive.”

We stand on the front lawn waiting for my rideshare that is already two minutes late. I swear each second that passes feels like an hour. I can’t believe I’m leaving her unscathed. I did what I said I would. Helped Chris and he didn’t explode while I was here. Yes, it’s going to suck if he remembers while I’m gone, but selfishly, I’m not worrying about that.

“Did you say bye to Dad?” Chris asks.

The words come out of nowhere. “Yeah.” I keep it short and simple.

I did say bye to him. Very quickly. Grabbed all my stuff from my room and shouted down the hallway to him that I was leaving. That was that. It’s better this way. Easier. I can’t handle anything else.

Chris shoves his hands in his pockets, rocking back on his heels. I sense he wants to say something, but I have no idea what it could be. He’s been so weird lately. Too nice, if that’s possible? Chris has always been nice to me, but it’s almost like he’s kissing my ass over something. Maybe he remembers some things? Maybe he recalls all the drinking he was doing and how much of an asshole he was to me? It’s possible. It’d be just like him to remember those things and not tell anyone.

My phone vibrates as the car pulls up.

“There’s my ride,” I say, stepping forward.

Chris grabs my shoulder, pulls me back, and hugs me again.

“Love you, Bry. I’m going to miss you.”

His words have so much emotion in them my throat gets tight.

“Me too, Chris.” He lets me go, giving me a sad smile. “Come visit me whenever you want.”

He grins. “I’ll hold you to that.”

I wave at him and head toward the car. The driver pops the trunk and I toss in my suitcase and backpack. I get into the backseat and as we drive off, I glance at the house, hoping to see Cole lingering in the windows, watching me go. It would hurt more, but I also want to know that he still cares.

But there’s no one in the window.

I sleep the entire flight back to Boston, which isn’t something I typically do. The only other time I slept on a flight was the last one, and I swear it’s only because I was holding onto Cole. Now? I’m so relieved to be heading back to Boston, where my life is simple, that I’m relaxed enough all on my own. Also, I’ve flown so much lately that maybe I’m desensitizing myself to it. Who the hell knows? Either way, I’m grateful for it. It’s better than panicking for six hours.

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