Page 22 of Breaking the Rules of Love

The boys crack up and come in for high-fives. Say what you want about the two of them, they both know how to appreciate a good comeback.

“Imagine turning down Violet Keith,” Logan says, shaking his head. “Just imagine.”

“Right? Being able to have her on your resume and tell everyone you smashed?” Ryan seems personally offended by my actions. “Unbelievable.”

Whatever hit me in the head outside the venue the other night hurt me less than this conversation.

“Are weevergoing to talk about work today?” I ask. “Or did I come in to–?”

“Nope,” Ryan says.

“Nope,” Logan chuckles.

Thought not.

“Right.” I nod, taking a deep swig of my beer. “Well, I’ll have you guys know, I didn’t just turn down Violet Keith fornoreason, okay? I had a good reason.”

The boys look at each other, and a sudden look of concern comes over their faces. Slowly, Ryan gets up from his chair and comes over to me. He drapes an arm over my shoulder.

“Listen, Jake,” he says slowly. “Logan and I…we both thought this day might come. And we want you to know that while we support you, I won’t marry you–”

“Okay, fuck off,” I laugh, ducking out from under his arm and shoving him off me. He squares up in front of me with his fists at the ready like we’re about to go at it for a round, grinning like a son of a bitch.

On any other day, I might actually spar a little with him, but today, I’m just not feeling it. Today, I have something else on my mind.

“Nah, nah,” I say, waving a hand dismissively. “Actually, though, Idohave another reason. You wanna hear it or nah?”

“You’re just afraid to face the Fists of Fury!” Ryan goads me. But when he sees I’m not responding, he drops his hands. “All right, fine. What’s the reason?”

I probably shouldn’t be telling these guys about Sadie, knowing how they’re going to react to our current…situation, but I really don’t have anybody else to confide in at the moment. So going against my better judgment, I decide to spill my guts.

“I met someone.”

There’s a pause, then Logan speaks. “You met someone? When did this happen?”

“A couple days ago,” I reply, already knowing what their reaction is going to be. Logan’s jaw drops.

“A couple of days ago? That’s it?”

“A couple of days and you’re turning down Violet-fucking-Keith for this chick?” Ryan asks in disbelief. He glances over at Logan, who looks back at him and shrugs. “Yo, my man isdown bad, bro.”

Logan nods in agreement. “You propose already or what, boss?”

I take another swig of my beer and shake my head. This actually could be going worse, to be honest.

“No proposal yet,” I sigh. “But she’d turn me down anyway if I did. She’s got this…rule.”

“Rule?” Ryan repeats. “What rule?”

Here it comes. Here’s where I’m gonna get roasted. I don’t even know why I’m telling them all this.

“She only doescasualrelationships.”

“Casual relationships?” Ryan repeats.

“Like…sex only?” Logan asks. “But not boyfriend-girlfriend?”

“Right.” I nod. Again, the boys look at each other for a second, then burst out laughing.

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