Page 87 of Breaking Rules

He lifts his chin when he catches me staring and mouthsgoodnightbefore rounding his car.

“Do you want some coffee?” Tom asks.

Ben adds, “Mom’s probably upstairs.”

“Yeah, coffee would be great.”

“I know you’re staying at Alexander’s house to avoid seeing Miller,” Ben says as I follow him to the kitchen, where Tom is already working on the coffee, “but I thought you were smarter than that. What if Miller showed up?”

I drop into a chair, elbows on the table, and hang my head. “Jake found out I was out with Meg earlier, so Xander was worried he’d track me down. All he did was pick me up and bring me here.”

Tom sets two mugs of steaming coffee on the table, then goes back for his. “That man is even hotter in person,” he says as he joins us with his own cup.

“He may look like a sex god, but that doesn’t make him a good person,” Ben snaps.

My heart pinches at the disgust in his tone. “You don’t know him.”

“One year of college was enough. I know how guys like him operate. You’ve known him for what? Three months?”

“People change.” Tom brings his mug to his lips and takes a slow sip.

“Not him. Rumor on campus was that he dumped a girl and she tried to commit suicide. Guess he’s the one who found her. He ended up saving her life.”

Silence settles in the kitchen. My shoulders tremble, and I swallow the bile climbing up my esophagus.

“Do you think he had something to do with it?” Tom asks. “With her trying to…”

“I’m not sure. After it happened, he was broody and distant with everyone, even his teammates. As I mentioned, he and Miller got into a fight. But then…things kinda went back to how they were before, like he just switched his emotions off. He acted completely unbothered.” Ben covers my hand with his. “I’ll never force you to do anything you don’t want to do. I’m not judging you if you have something going on with him. Just be careful, and remember I’m always here for you.”

Heart lodged in my throat, I nod once. “I know.”

“No, you don’t. When shit happens, you shut us all out, as if it’ll be easier to deal with it alone. That’s an illusion, Bella. I’m not only family, I’m your friend too, and I’d do anything for you.”

My heart swells with tenderness. “Thank you, Ben.”

“I love you two so much,” Tom murmurs, putting his palm over ours.

“We love you too.” Ben tilts closer to his boyfriend and pecks his lips.

Warmth blooms in my chest. I’ve always admired their relationship. It’s built on friendship, mutual respect, and trust. Their love is precious and strong. It’s what I long for myself.

“When are you two going to get married, huh?” I ask, needing to change the subject. “Penny and Christina aren’t the first of your friends to tie the knot.”

“We don’t want to rush anything,” Ben says.

“Rush anything?” I frown. “You’ve been together for close to three years.”

“We want to live together first,” Tom says. “We found a lovely apartment and can move in next month.”

“Does Aunt Millie know?”

Ben’s expression darkens. “Yes, and she’s not happy about it. She says Tom should just move in here, that the house is big enough for all of us.” He sighs. “She means the world to me, but I’m ready to start my own life with Tom.”

“I could talk to her.” She and I planned to talk about living arrangements anyway. She suggested I move in with her while I save for an apartment. If I’m here, it will be easier for her to accept Ben moving out.

“You’d do that?” Tom leans forward, beaming. “Yes. Please, we’d be forever grateful. If you can get her on board, I’ll buy you anything you want.”

“Hold your horses, cowboy.” Ben lets out a deep laugh. “Mom adores Bella, but it might not be enough.”

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