Page 14 of Changing Rules

“Thank you so much.” A blush creeps into my cheeks, and I shift, my focus catching on Audrey. Her expression is unreadable. I can’t figure out if she’s angry or hurt or sad—but she’s definitely not happy. “Hi, Audrey.”

“Hey.” She plasters on a smile and stands. I give her a hug and then take a step back.

“Dinner is ready,” Pauline says, surveying each of us before fixing her focus on her daughter. “Where’s your husband?”

“He got a call from the office.” She folds her arms over her chest. “It happens too often these days.”

“It’s only a matter of time. Once he’s settled in, you’ll have him all to yourself,” Pauline says, her tone stern. “Have a little patience.”

“Iampatient,” Audrey hisses, putting a hand on her belly. “Stop making me nervous. My baby feels it too.”

Xander and I lock eyes for a moment. Looks like I’m not the only one who senses the tension. Silence settles over the room like a thick blanket.

Chewing the inside of my cheek, I rack my brain for a topic that could lighten the mood, but I fall short.

Cautious.

When Audrey is around, cautious is my default setting. I’ve come to expect the schemes and misunderstandings. It’s strange to feel this way about Xander’s sister, since he’s so close to her. But after what happened with Jake, I’ve learned to trust my gut. I’m not ready to let my guard down around this woman.

“What did I miss?” Ryan appears, his voice like thunder in the quiet room. He narrows his eyes and assesses us with a frown. “Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, we were waiting for you.” Audrey smiles at him, her bad mood evaporating.

Pauline claps her hands and strolls to the table. It’s all the cue we need to do the same.

After dinner,I end up sandwiched between Pauline and Audrey, a photo album open on my lap. My stomach is so full, I’m finding it difficult to breathe. Dinner was delicious, but aftersuch a big meal, laughing at all the hilarious stories about Xander as a little boy is honestly a little painful.

Even so, I’m eating up every detail Pauline shares. Apparently, he was afraid of horses when he was young. They reminded him of creatures of the night, walking quietly and huffing in people’s ears when they least expected it. In one photo, Audrey sits smiling on a black mare, while little Xander stands nearby, bawling. He wanted to sit on the horse too but was too afraid.

“He looks so cute, and his hair was so blond.” I trace a finger over his image.

“I was so giddy when he was born.” Pauline’s mouth quirks up into a smile. “He had his dad’s eyes, but the rest was all me. The hair color, the high cheekbones, the full lips, everything. Later, it became obvious he also has Greg’s nose, and then his hair turned dark. Now he’s a perfect representation of us both.”

“I’ve always been more like Dad,” Audrey chirps. “Though you know what’s funny? Alex’s crushes through the years have all been blonde.”

She snatches the album from my lap and flips a few pages, then slides it in front of me again.

“This is Marina, his preschool love.” She points at the girl standing beside Xander in a group photo. Then she turns a few pages and points at another photo, this one taken in a classroom, Xander and some girl sitting together at a desk. “That’s Sophia, a girl he liked in elementary school.”

“Audrey,” Pauline warns, tugging at the album.

Ignoring her mother, Audrey turns more pages, seemingly determined to humiliate me. “Oh, this is Bonnie.” A young Xander, still in his gear after a football game, stands with a bunch of cheerleaders, one arm slung around yet another blonde with a wide smile on her face. “He had a crush on her for all three years of middle school. Then there was Beth, Sam, and Mia. AndCourtney—he crushed on herhardin high school. They never dated, but they wereveryclose.”

Page after page, Audrey points out girls. With each one, the lump in my throat grows, and the food that had been satisfying a little while ago churns in my stomach. My good mood has disappeared, but I force myself to wear a smile.

Why is she doing this? To make a point that I’m not his type?

“It happens all the time, sweetheart,” Pauline says, finally interrupting her daughter. Her voice is quiet but powerful.“Preferences change.Peoplechange.”

“I don’t think so,” Audrey deadpans. “I don’t remember him ever liking a single brunette.”

“Well, just look to your left, and you’ll see the girl your brotherloves.”

“Isabella is an exception. Theonlyexception.” Audrey throws a glance my way, her eyes sparkling, like she can see the state she’s put me in, and she’s satisfied with the damage her words have caused.

“What are you ladies up to?” Xander’s voice rings out, making me jump. “Have you embarrassed me enough? Or should I go back and join Ryan and Dad so you can have more time to gossip about me?”

“I think we’re finished.” Pauline takes the photo album from me and gently pats my knee. She stands and ruffles his hair, giving him a soft smile. “Maybe it’s time for you to cut it even shorter?”

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