Page 61 of Changing Rules

I dive into my work, only to be interrupted forty minutes later. Xander stands at the edge of the room, his face fixed into a frown.

“Bella, what is this?”

I look up from my laptop and at his outstretched hand. The instant the object registers, my mouth goes dry.

“I didn’t have anything better to do,” he says when I don’t respond. “Figured I’d organize the closet, get rid of whatever I don’t wear so you’d have more space for your things.”

The engagement ring Jake gave me glints in the sunlight filtering into the room, and I break into a cold sweat.

“I found it when I was moving some of your stuff from one drawer to another. I didn’t know you kept it.”

“Rent in New York is a bit more expensive than I expected.” I lick my lips and scan the room. “I figured I’d sell it.”

“I told you I’d pay your rent.” He flexes his jaw, his eyes hardening.

“And I told you I could handle it myself. Iwantto handle it myself.” I close my laptop and sit up straight.

“Just like you handled Audrey?” he hisses.

I scowl. “What do you mean?”

“I asked you to tell me if she upset you. If she was scheming. I asked you to tell me about it. And did you?” He balls his hand into a fist, hiding the ring inside it.

“No. I told you I could deal with her myself.” I stand, seething.

How can he not understand? He admires Stacey for finding strength within herself, all while discouraging me from doing the same. I’ll never be confident and strong if he’s always tackling my problems for me.

“Did you like it when she showed you all my crushes from over the years?” he sneers.

Anger flares hot in my body. “I didn’t like it when she invited your ex-girlfriend to meet up with us so the two of you could reconnect,” I grind out. “But I don’t remember you complaining.”

“I…” He trails off, and his eyebrows pull together.

“Iwhat?” I put my hands on my hips, my breaths coming fast.

We’re standing feet from one another, both in defensive stances. Both lost in our own fury. I want him to have faith in me, but all he sees when he looks at me is a damsel in distress. A weak, naive girl who needs to be taken care of.

It wears me down, robs me of my energy.

If this man, the man who genuinely loves me, can’t trust me to handle my problems myself, then I fear we’re doomed.

“Bella—” His voice is sharp, but it’s cut off when his phone rings.

He sets the ring on the table and pulls his cell out of his pocket.

Rage builds inside me. It’s so pressurized, it would take a single word, a single look, to cause me to blow. I swear, if he’s letting Stacey interrupt this conversation, I’ll storm out of his house for good.

“Hey. What? Where? Fuck… No, no… It’s the truth. It was the right thing to do.” His shoulders round, his body deflating. “Fine. I’ll be there in an hour.”

As he slips his phone back into his pocket, his hand trembles, and when he looks up at me, all the blood has drained from his face.

My heart pounds in my ears. “What happened?”

“An article,” he says, his voice barely audible. “An anonymous source claims your stepfather plans to file assault charges against me.” Hands in his pockets, he rocks back on his heels. “Sources close to the team have confirmed I was suspended on the same day because of my anger issues. They say my future with the Warriors is at stake…ifcharges are filed.”

My heart plummets to the floor, and all the air leaves my lungs. “Oh my God,” I whisper, bringing a hand to my mouth as I take a step closer. “I’m so sorry?—”

With a shake of his head, he takes one step back, then another.

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