Rewriting the Rules (10 page)

Deciding to take a little break, I sit on the couch, turn on the TV, and lay down. I didn’t realize how tired I was until my head hit the pillow. The remote falls from my hand quickly after as I fall asleep. When I close my eyes I see Charlotte and her sweet, innocent smile.

Waking up, I look around the living room. I’ve been asleep for a few hours and need to get up. Making my way to the kitchen, I notice how clean it is and then I hear a splash from outside. I look out the window and see Charlotte in the pool. Why did she clean my kitchen? Why is she here?

I grab a K-cup and pop it in my Keurig and press brew. I wait for my coffee to be done while standing in my kitchen watching her. I finish the cup off too fast for my liking and then place the mug in the sink and head outside. Charlotte finishes her swim and reaches the side of the pool, lifting herself up. Fuck. Me. She’s in the tiniest black bikini and the butterfly tattoo on her hip bone is screaming for my tongue. The beads of water shimmering in the light slowly travel down her sun-kissed skin. My God, she’s beautiful.

“Hey!” She smiles and grabs a towel from the chair. “Did you have someone over today? Your kitchen was messy. You looked so tired I didn’t want to wake you. Since I love your pool and love to swim, I thought it would be a fair trade to clean your kitchen.”

“I don’t need a maid, Charlotte. You didn’t have to do that. And Will has a pool. Why don’t you use his?”

“I’m sorry to bother you. I was around and wanted to come over and see what you were doing.”

I nod and look at her. “Catching up on some work and then Jane stopped over. We had lunch and I took a nap.”

“Oh. Okay. If you’re busy . . .”

“I am,” I tell her. “I’m heading out for a run and then meeting Carter, excuse me. You can stay and swim.”

I run when my head has too much going on, and right now, it won’t shut the fuck up. Getting away from my own house, I drive to a nearby trail and start running. I’m not sure how much time passes or how many miles I run. My calves burn and I’m exhausted. Heading back home, I see the lights on and go inside. Music plays and I wonder why she’s still here. Making my way to the kitchen again, I notice her outside, drinking wine, sitting comfortably in the chair. Stepping outside, I watch her and hear music softly playing from her iPod dock. She’s staring up at the night sky with the glass of wine in her hand. She looks beautiful and relaxed lying down in the chair. When she turned and saw me, my eyes locked with hers.

“You’re still here,” I go outside and ask her.

“Yeah,” she smiles. “I was hoping to talk and I don’t know, find out who Jane is.”

“Do you think I’m fucking Jane? That I jump from one woman to another?”

“No,” she shakes her head. “That’s not you at all.”

“How would you know? People change. I’ve changed. Maybe secretly I’m a manwhore and love having multiple women in my life. Maybe Jane’s my number three. You never know.”

“Why are you being so cruel?

Fuck. I am being a dick to her and she doesn’t deserve it. I should go and get ready for tonight, yet my feet are frozen and I can’t move. My eyes rake over her body. She’s wearing her bikini bottoms and a tank. Her legs go on for miles and I’m interested to see more of her.

On my bed.

Against the wall.

In the shower.

I’m creative and can go on all night.

“You’re right. I’m sorry. I do have to get going.”

“Okay.”

“For the record, Jane’s my best friend’s wife and a very good friend of mine. I’m going over their house to hang out. I haven’t slept with anyone since Andrea and I’m not a manwhore.”

I see the smile on her face as she nods. “Good to know. I’ll talk to you later.”

“Okay.”

Picking up my princess, I spin her around and hear her giggles. I love spending time at Carter and Jane’s house. I hate that it’s been a while. I’d usually be with Andrea or out of town. I’ve missed out on a lot and I don’t want to do that anymore. I’d rather spend my time with little Avery than random women who don’t mean anything to me.

“She loves you,” I hear Carter say as he sits down on the ground next to me. “Avery, tell Troy to stop being mean and come over more often.” She claps her hands and smiles. “See, there you go. She’s spoken.”

I kiss Avery on the forehead and blow raspberries on her belly. She laughs again and claps her hands.

“Okay, okay.” Jane comes in and takes Avery. “Now I have to get little one settled since it’s her bedtime.”

“What? It’s still early.”

“Troy,” Jane laughs. “It’s almost midnight and she needs to sleep. You’re also spending the night here.”

“What? I’m fine.”

“You look like death,” Jane tells me. “Plus you had a lot of whiskey and wine during dinner and I’d rather have you safe. You’ll get to see Avery in the morning.”

“Fine,” I laugh. “Fine.”

“Good.”

Jane kisses my forehead and winks at Carter before going upstairs. In so many ways I’m jealous of my best friend, but I know this isn’t the life I can live. It’s not for me. The thought of a lifelong commitment scares me and I wouldn’t want to subject anyone to my perceptions of the world. Being a dad crossed my mind at one point in my life. When things change and you’re left alone, your dreams, and what you want change.

“Feeling okay, man?”

“Yeah,” I nod. “Jane’s right. I do feel a little tipsy,” I sigh. “I can’t believe how big she’s getting.”

“Same here. We’re trying for a second baby. It’s hard, though. You know how hard it was the first time, but we want Avery to have a brother or sister.” I hear Carter sigh and rub his face. “We’re good parents and Jane wants another baby so bad. You know the stress and pain to have Avery was worth it. We’ll do it all over again if that means we can have another baby.”

I nod my head and listen to Carter. They tried for three years to get Avery. Since IVF is expensive, it wasn’t in their budget so they prayed a lot and believed. All the tests came back normal and the doctors couldn’t explain why they couldn’t conceive. When I suggested Jane get weekly massages and start acupuncture, within two months they were pregnant with Avery.

“Why don’t you have her relax more?”

“I’ve tried. She hates being away from Avery for a long period of time.”

“Bullshit,” I stand up and send a text to Charlotte. I know it’s late, but maybe she’s up.

Charlotte:
Everything okay?

Me:
Sorry for the late text. Can you log in and get me two massages for Carter and Jane?

Charlotte:
Lol sure thing.

Even though it’s late and she has to most likely work in the morning, she’s doing this for me and it means a lot.

Charlotte:
I have 2 9am appointments for 90 min.

Me:
Perfect. Book it for them and put everything on my card.

Charlotte:
Will do . . . that it?

Me:
Thanks Charlotte. Means a lot.

Charlotte:
Of course. =) Night Troy.

Me:
Night Charlotte.

“Tomorrow morning you and Jane are getting massages on me.”

“What,” Carter argues. “Stop, man, it’s okay.”

“Already done. I’ll watch Avery while you two go out and relax.”

“Wow. Thank you, buddy. We appreciate it.”

“No worries. Princess and I are going to have fun tomorrow while you and Jane relax. You need it. Trust me.”

Chapter 13

Charlotte

My eyes are wide open. It’s five in the morning and I’m awake. I haven’t been sleeping very well and it’s all Troy’s fault, him and his hot and cold emotions. I don’t understand why he can’t come clean and be one hundred percent with me. I play the scenes in my head so I can better understand him. It’s useless! He’s the reason why women hate getting into relationships. If people say what they mean and mean what they say, I can bet there would be less arguments and war. Just saying.

After the conversation last night with Will, I’m going to hold off on getting my own place and stay with him. The house is big enough for us and we’re not getting in each other’s way. Plus, it’s rent free and I get a pool, meals, the security of being with my brother, and I get to see Troy when he comes over.

Rolling over on the comfortable bed I close my eyes and see Troy. Needing to get my head cleared, I get up and look around the larger than life room. It’s bigger than my apartment back in Michigan and with the large windows overlooking the backyard, I feel like I’m in a luxury hotel. The walls are a nice beige color with an oak dresser, nightstand and a soft black right arm loveseat in the corner by the windows. The contemporary colored room is relaxing. There’s nothing too loud in the room and I love the colors Will picked out. Most of the decorations are simple and I’m looking forward to making my room feel like my own.

Sitting up on the king-sized bed, I lean over and grab my phone. Scrolling through my Facebook feed I read a few articles and share a funny meme. My phone buzzes and it’s Jessica.

Jessica:
Good morning sunshine! I know you’re awake.

Me:
Morning . . . What’s up?

Jessica:
Just wanted to see how you’re doing and if anything’s going on with that fine-ass man who has your panties soaking in two seconds.

Me:
LOL you’re a freak and nope nothing’s going on . . . He’s hot and cold. No idea wtf I’m doing.

Jessica:
What are you going to do?

Me:
Give it time. He’s not the same Troy . . . Seems more guarded and protective.

Jessica:
Men. Wish I had a manual to understand them. It’ll be okay sweets. Just keep me posted . . . Miss you.

Me:
Miss you more XO

Jessica: XO

I can’t help thinking about Troy and wondering what he’s doing. He doesn’t like to sleep in and usually would be working out or probably working on his computer. I flip my phone in my hand before deciding to text him since I’m awake and don’t plan on sleeping anyways.

Me:
Morning, you up?

Troy:
Yes.

I frown with his one-word response. It was quick, though, so I’ll give him that.

Me:
Any plans today?

Troy:
Not sure.

Me:
Oh, ok

“Morning.” I look up to see a sleepy Will holding a cup of coffee. Putting away my phone and pushing out Troy’s shortness, I smile up at my brother. He walks in and sits on the bed, handing me the steamy cup of deliciousness. “How’d you sleep?”

“Well,” I tell him. “What’s the plan for today?”

“Want to get breakfast?”

“I’d love that!”

He pats me on my leg and tells me to get ready. Finishing up my coffee, I throw on shorts and a loose shirt before walking out of my bedroom. I meet Will in the kitchen as he puts down his phone and grabs his sunglasses.

“After breakfast want to head out on the boat?”

“Oh, yeah! I love that idea.”

“Go get your things ready. We’ll head out to Canandaigua and spend the day out. Looks like we both need a day to relax and have fun.”

“Who else is going?”