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Rewriting the Rules(14)

By:S. Moose


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.