Page 79 of Against The Rules

I had fun last night too I type, then delete it. Had fun? It feels inadequate.

He said he loved me.

That pulls me up short, and I sit in the driver’s seat, my hands on the wheel, still in slight disbelief.

Tyler Matthews wants to stay married to me. He loves me.

I swallow hard, and my phone vibrates in my purse. I don’t know what to say to him, what to say to… that. I don’t know what I’ll say if I text right back away, so I don’t even check the message.

It takes me a minute to clear my head enough to maneuver past the cleaning van in the driveway.

The short drive relaxes me. Unlike everything else that’s happening in my life right now, this is at least familiar. I’ve lived in this area since I moved up here for school, and the sight of the same trees I’ve seen for the past five years slowly changing colors helps me let out a long breath.

There are definitely worse ways to start the day: I have beautiful flowers, I’ll be going home to a clean house, and I’m still relaxed and happy after the amazing orgasms last night. Oh, and my hair is going to look awesome.

All thanks to one Tyler Matthews.

I’m smiling softly by the time I park at the salon, and I take my phone from my purse and decide… why not text Kelsey back?

Why not see what she wants?

What else am I going to do today?

I set up a time for a late lunch and head into the salon.

CHAPTER 33

TYLER

When I get done with the light practice the coaches insisted on running, watching tape with the rest of the offensive line, and taking notes on tomorrow’s plays, I’m twitchy with anticipation. Savannah hadn’t texted me back before I left my phone in the locker room, which I chalked up to her hopefully sleeping in.

What if she still hasn’t texted or called?

I can’t remember a time when I ever felt so excited to check my phone, except maybe during the draft. Not that I expected to go in the first rounds, but still. Getting the call from my agent was an incredible feeling, and even more so when I found out I was going to get to play alongside my big brother.

I smile at the memory. It was supposed to be the chance to prove myself to Jacob while working with him, not competing against him. I moved in with him, and everything was supposed to be set. My smile fades.

It didn’t work out like that. Nope. All those jagged edges of our relationship just got sharper the more time we spent together, like neither one of us could ever find the right thing to say at the right time, and now we’re stuck in a weird, tenuous truce, made worse by the fact I came clean to him about what happened between Savannah and me in Vegas.

He’s already left the locker room, and I finish towel drying my hair and make myself get dressed before I pull my phone out of the bottom of my duffel and turn it on.

Three texts from Savannah.

The frame of the locker is cool where I lean my forehead against it. My eyes close for a minute, and a slew of doubts rush through my head before I can make myself open up the app. What if she wants nothing to do with me? What if she regrets last night, and this is just one more bad decision for my family to sigh about?

No. I’m not going to do this.

Dr. Kim would say something smart right now if he were here, probably something like how I should focus on the present instead of the past.

I can’t control what anyone else thinks of me, that’s the other thing he’d say. All I can do is control my actions and reactions.

Finally, I take a deep breath, feeling nervous but better, and a huge grin splits my face from ear to ear when I open up her messages.

This is above and beyond. Thank you.

I feel so much better after having my hair done, that was the sweetest thing ever, and you totally did NOT have to pay for it ahead of time. But thank you.

This was all super thoughtful of you and I just… I missed you this morning, but this helped. I hope you kick ass at the game tomorrow

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