Page 85 of Unspoken Rules

I raise a brow. “My friend?”

He gives me a knowing smile. “Yeah, the one you went out with the other night. Tomas.”

“Oh, no. We’re only friends. The normal kind. Trust me, there’s nothing there.”

“You sure about that?”

I settle deeper into the water. “Absolutely. Tomas is nice, but he’s not my type.”

“So what is your type, Bryson?” Chris asks with a smirk.

Your father.

“Just not him.” I shrug, not really wanting to get into this. It’s a weird conversation.

“Come on, we’ve never talked about this,” he pleads. When I don’t answer, he adds, “I’ve never seen you with a guy. What about your ex? What’s he look like?”

I shake my head, sighing. “Definitely not my type. Not sure why I was even with the guy.”

“Let me see him anyway.”

I groan and grab my phone, pulling up Daniel’s IG account and handing it over to Chris.

Daniel isn’t ugly. Far from it. He’s a good-looking guy, just prettier than I like my men to be. And I say that as if I’ve been around long enough to know.

“He’s kinda cute.” Chris hands me my phone back.

“I didn’t say he was ugly. I just said he isn’t my type.”

“So you go for a more rugged guy? You like to bottom, Bry?” He waggles his brows.

“Jesus, Chris. Are we really having this conversation?”

He shrugs as I put my phone down. “Well, we haven’t talked much in a few years. I figured you spent time in college figuring out what you like and don’t. And maybe you wanted to talk about it, and maybe I want to know more about my best friend. I miss you.”

Well, that warms my heart and makes me feel like a complete dick for having sex with his dad.

Chris can’t even forgive his father for cheating on his mother all those years ago. He will never, and I mean never, forgive either of us for this. And that means only one thing.

It can’t ever happen again.

And I actually mean it this time.

Seeing Chris like this? The way he used to be. The way I remember him. It’s a breath of fresh air. I can’t lose this friendship.

Chapter Thirty-Four

Bryson

We pick up Mila on the way to the show. Her car wouldn’t start, and she doesn’t like taking a rideshare alone. Mark is already at the venue so she couldn’t ask him. Her house isn’t out of the way, so it isn’t a big deal. Even if it was, we’d still get her.

The lot is mostly full by the time we get there. It’s in the next city over, same as where the club was. Most people our age venture this way to have fun, because you’re not finding that in Lynncastor.

The venue is technically a bar but hosts live bands all the time. I came here once in high school to see a band Mark wanted to see. It was a 16+ show, so even though we couldn’t drink, it was fun. It holds a decent number of people and Mark’s band has played here many times before. They always have a successful outcome, so I hear. This is the first time I’ll have heard them play a show since back in high school. Except for the other day when I was at his house, but that was different. They have all their good equipment set up here. They’re playing for people they don’t know, and not just messing around to mess around.

Chris covers the admission for the three of us to get in, even with me and Mila arguing about it. He waves us off, ignoring our pleas. We find a group of people we know as soon as we get inside.

The stage is a decent size and set against the far wall. The open space in front of it already has people lingering, and I can’t be sure if they’re here for Mark’s band, the opening band, or just hanging out. Nestled in the walls are little nooks with couches that are full of people already. There aren’t many of them, and always where people flock to first. Across from the stage, past the standing area and where we are, are the tables and booths, blocked off by a metal railing to keep the floor separate in case of dancers and mosh pits. There is a full bar by the entrance, and stairs beside it that lead upstairs to balcony viewing, but I don’t see anyone up there and I’m not sure if it’s open to the public tonight.

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