Page 360 of Breaking the Rules
"Get the fuck over yourself, Chase." I press my palms into the counter. "Your brother screwed up, sure. He lied to you. He hurt you. Are you going to hold that against him forever?"
He stares back at me.
"You have any idea how much it kills him that you won't forgive him?"
He just stares.
"Do you even care or are you so stuck on this idea of cutting him off?"
"I'm doing what's best for him."
"Obviously not. Or he'd be at work right now. He'd be with me right now."
"You're better off."
"No. I'm not. That's what you don't get. Maybe he made mistakes. Maybe he really was a piece of shit when he drank. I don't know that guy. I never did, not really. But the Hunter I know now? The sober one? He's patient. He's sweet. He's funny. Supportive. Talented. Loyal."
"You're a sweet kid."
"I'm not a kid."
"Yeah, you are."
"I'm an adult. I have a job. I have my own apartment. I have my own desires and ambitions and dreams. I don't need another man telling me how I feel or what's best for me. Maybe I'm not the most objective source. Maybe I'm too in love to be objective. But the guy I know wouldn't hurt someone on purpose."
Fuck.
I'm in love with Hunter.
I'm so fucking in love with Hunter.
Of course it's hitting me now.
Feelings are cruel.
"You love him that much?" he asks.
"Yeah." My next breath is steadier. "I do."
"He ask you to—"
"No. He broke up with me."
His brow furrows with confusion.
"He's an idiot."
"We can agree about that."
"But he… he is a good person."
Something in his expression changes. Relents. Like he's accepting my words.
"You don't know me. Or owe me anything. But your brother loves you. He deserves another chance. And even if you do hate him, why not take a job at the best shop in Southern California instead of staying at this shit hole?"
"Maybe I like this shit hole?"
"Do you?"
