Page 42 of Breaking Rules

“The bed wasn’t comfortable enough?” He throws his phone onto the mattress beside him.

“It’s not that. My mind wouldn’t shut off, and I never sleep well in new places anyway.”

“That’s why I suggested you sleep with me.”

I roll my eyes. His teasing bothers me less by the day, and I’m not sure that’s a good thing.

“Come here. My bed is warm, and I have excellent cuddling skills.”

“Cuddling skills?” A laugh bubbles out of me. “You’re unbelievable.”

“Nah. I just know what I want, and I’m doing everything I can to make it happen.” He grins at me.

“In that case, it’s a good thing that I also know whatIwant, and it definitely doesn’t include you.” I push off the doorframe and slip into my shoes. “Thank you for your help. It means more than you know. Truly.”

“It’s nothing,” he says with a hint of a smile. “I hope you feel better.”

“I do.” I leave it at that. Truthfully, my life is too complicated to explain. A man who’s so close to his family could never understand what I’ve been through.

“I’ll call you tomorrow. I found a rug I think you’ll like.”

He nods, and a second later he’s back on his stomach, a pillow pressed to his chest.

“Bye, Xander,” I murmur.

“Bye.” His voice sounds muffled.

A weird twinge pierces my heart. The reason Meg is my only friend is simple: I built a wall around myself a long time ago. If I don’t let people get close, they can’t see through the façade I’ve created. They can’t see how damaged I am. I’ve known Xander for a matter of weeks, and already he’s picked up on far too much. That scares the shit out of me.

On my way to the front door, I pull my phone out of my purse and order an Uber. I’m in desperate need of time with the people who truly love me, the people I’ll do absolutely anything for. I hope they’re awake.

It’s eight forty a.m. when I knock on my aunt’s door. When she doesn’t answer right away, I let out a quiet curse. Aunt Millie is an early riser, but with my luck, today is the day she decided to sleep in.

Before I can come up with a plan B, the door swings open, and I come face-to-face with a sleepy Ben. He blinks, then blinks again. Then he breaks into a smile.

“Bella? What are you doing here so early?” He steps aside to let me in.

I plant a quick kiss on his cheek as I pass. “Can’t I miss my aunt and my favorite cousin?”

“I’m youronlycousin,” he huffs. “And I’m not buying that shit. You look like you came here straight from the club. What happened?”

My stomach sinks. I should’ve thought about what it would look like to show up first thing in the morning dressed like this. “Does something really need to have happened for me to come visit you?”

Ben just folds his arms over his chest, lifting his chin.

Fine. I hate how easily he can read me. “Jake and I fought last night. We were at a party, and I left.”

“What did he do?” Ben steps around me, his expression full of disdain. He has never liked Jake.

While he starts the coffee maker, I sit at the table, fold my hands into my lap, and tell him the story.

“God, Bella, I told you it was a mistake to get back together with him.” He frowns at me, his expression full of pity. “And I should’ve talked you out of moving in with him.”

“He was so persuasive, going on about how much he loved me and missed me…”

And secretly, I guess I hoped reconnecting with Jake would take me back to a time in my life when I was happier. I wanted to fill the void in my chest. But of course, I don’t tell Ben that.

“And does he love you?” He sets a mug of coffee in front of me. “I can’t imagine a man so deeply in love would do something like that. Where did you sleep? Meg’s?”

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