Page 7 of By His Rule

Lori: So long as he doesn’t make us an aunty and uncle too soon.

Lori: What about you? How’s it going with Noelle?

I smile to myself as I think about my geeky little brother’s best friend. I’m pretty sure he’s been in love with her since the first time he saw her, not that he was—is—aware of that, of course.

Hendrix: Lorelei

My smile grows as I hear his voice in my ear as if he’s standing behind me.

Lori: What? I’m just asking…

Hendrix: She’s great, thanks.

“Oh fuck,” I screech when the bus pulls up beside me, hitting a puddle from an earlier rain shower and soaking my feet.

Glancing around, I notice that everyone around me moved out of the firing line.

It’s fine. Totally fine. Everything is fucking fine.

Closing down our chat for now, I walk toward the bus doors with my head held high.

Hendrix has made me feel a little better, but no amount of banter with my little brother is going to fix the shitshow that is my life right now.

I find myself a seat and lower my bags on the aisle side, allowing me to sit beside the window and ensure I won’t be subjected to an unwanted neighbor.

Ignoring everyone else around me, I stare out of the window, my eyes locked on the building I’ve spent at least five days a week inside for the past couple of years.

What a fucking waste of my life that was.

The bus jolts forward and I lose myself in the passing buildings with my arms wrapped tightly around my waist as if they’ll hold everything together.

Fat chance of that. Everything is crumbling around my feet faster than I can control.

By the time I let myself into my apartment building, every ounce of adrenaline has seeped out of me.

I just about manage to hold it together until I push the key into the lock. Then all hell breaks loose.

The tears that have been burning my eyes since the moment my boss accused me of stealing finally spill free.

By the time I kick the door closed behind me, loud, ugly sobs are erupting from my throat.

Dumping my stuff in the entryway, I all but run toward my bed and throw myself on it as I finally succumb to my emotions.

Just two weeks ago, I thought I had everything together.

I had an amazing boyfriend that I could see a real future with. I had a job that I…endured. But most importantly, I had hope.

Right now, I have nothing.

I can no longer even come home to my friend. Those times of us pulling out a bottle of tequila and drowning our bad days in margaritas are long over.

That thought only makes me cry harder.

I spent a lot of my former years being lonely. I thought I’d experienced the last of it. But right now, all I feel is alone and hopeless.

2

LORELEI

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