Page 80 of Unwritten Rules
STRAWBERRY: What’s the occasion?
SIN: I have something I want to tell you.
STRAWBERRY: Consider me intrigued.
SIN: I’ll pick you up at ten.
STRAWBERRY: See you then, stud.
Unable to wipe the smile off my face, I pick my gym bag off the floor and enter my bedroom. Tatum deserves to be the first to hear the good news—apart from Khai—because without her support, I wouldn’t be here.
I wasn’t kidding when I said she’s done more for me than she realises. Not just physically with my injury, but emotionally, too. She has shown me that it’s okay to be vulnerable. I had thought it was weak to put your heart on your sleeve, that no one would take me seriously or consider me to be less of a man. But the more time I spend with her, I’m learning to be more open and allow myself time to think about what I want moving forward.
Because at the end of the day, I’m living this life for myself—no one else. And whether my father likes it or not, this is my career, not his.
I just have to start believing in myself, even when it feels impossible.
Chapter Twenty-One
TATUM
Sinnett hasn’t spoken a word since I got in his car ten minutes ago. I had half expected him to spill the beans about the news he wanted to share with me as soon as I got into the seat, but was surprised when he had the playlist I shared with him last week on full bore and a cheeky grin on his face instead. I was itching to pressure him into telling me what was on his mind, but quickly figured out that he wanted to keep me on the edge of my seat by purposefully staying quiet.
And because I didn’t want to push him, I stayed silent and got lost in the music, but deep inside, I was dying to know the secret he kept hidden on his tongue.
The car rolls to a stop in the car park of Edwards Beach. It’s pitch-black outside besides the headlights illuminating a small portion of the tide rolling in over the sand. My fingers flex on my thighs as I spin in the seat to face Sinnett. The grin he wore when I got in the car hasn’t slipped once. I’m impressed with his ability to hold it for as long as he has, but it also means the news he wants to share must be epic enough for him to be this giddy about it.
“Sin,” I start, reaching for the volume button on the touch screen, lowering the music to an acceptable level, “if you don’ttell me what’s going on, I might just die from a heart attack caused by anticipation.”
Sinnett snorts a laugh and shakes his head. His body turns to face mine. If his torso wasn’t hidden behind the same black hoodie he wears religiously, I have no doubt the muscles beneath his inked and tanned skin would’ve rippled with the simple movement.
“Ian cleared me to play on Saturday.”
My eyes widen as his words settle deep into my bones, followed by the rhythmic beat of my heart. Before I can stop myself, my hands dart out to grab Sinnett’s cheeks, needing to feel his warmth as I processed the situation.
“You’re playing this weekend?” I squeeze out, unable to hide the emotion seeping into my voice. “For real?”
Sinnett smiles—the same smile that has me melting each time he flashes it at me. “I’m being so for real right now. I got the call earlier and knew you were the first person I wanted to tell. Well, besides Khai, of course. But he doesn’t count because he was already with me.”
A squeal slips past my lips, and I’m helpless to stop it. Within seconds, my lips find Sinnett, and he’s quick to pull me onto my lap, planting his hands firmly on my waist, holding me against him while my legs straddle his thighs. We melt into the kiss like we have done so many times before, but this time feels different. Charged with excitement and something I can almost describe as pride, I melt against him, needing to feel every inch of him.
Sinnett kisses me with such force it knocks the air from my lungs, but I hold on, fingers digging into his shoulders.
This man has worked so hard to get to the end of his recovery. Even when he doubted he had the strength or determination to go on, he proved himself wrong by pushing through and reaching the end of the tunnel. Not only is Sinnett a man who knows exactly what he wants, he will do everythingin his power to get it, even on the days when everything feels overwhelming and self-doubt eats him alive.
But this moment right here will serve as a reminder to him that anything is possible if he puts his mind to it.
“I’m so proud of you,” I murmur against his lips breathlessly.
Sinnett exhales a sharp breath, hands tightening on my hips as his eyes lift to meet mine. “You are?”
I nod, grinning. “Very much so. You fucking did it, Sin. Just like I knew you would.”
His throat works a swallow, ocean eyes darting across my face as if searching for a sign that I’m lying. When he doesn’t find one, he drops his forehead against mine and inhales deeply. “No one has ever told me that before. Well, besides Mia and Gran.”
I frown, lifting a hand to run it through his silky hair. “Are you serious?”
Sinnett nods.
