Rewriting the Rules(23)

"Ugh, that sucks. I'm so sorry this happened to you."

It sucks that someone felt the need to rob and hurt me. Who the fuck  does that shit to a hard working person? It's bullshit. Whoever did this  to me I hope they get what they deserve. I'm thankful nothing major  happened. Honestly it sucks that my things were stolen, but I'm alive  and only have a few bruises. He didn't kidnap me or do anything worse.  I'm okay and I'm safe. Everything he stole is replaceable.   





 

"You okay?"

"Yeah. Just thinking about that night."

"Don't do that to yourself. You're okay and it'll be fine. The cops will catch his ass and he'll get what he deserves."

"Hope so."

We play with Avery in the pool a little longer before she gets cranky  and starts crying. Will rushes out and scoops her in his arms.

"Oh Avery," he coos and it causes us to laugh. Seeing a baby in Will's  arms is cute. "Let's go inside and take a nap, huh?" He gives us a wink  and heads inside.

"Looks like she's pretty popular."

Jane nods. "She loves the attention from the guys and the guys are so sweet to her."

"Thanks again for coming over. It means a lot."

"Of course! I like spending time with you, and Avery loves you."

"I love her too."

I hear the doorbell ring and Jane gets up to see who's at the door. When  she comes back with an Edible Arrangement delivery, flowers, and  balloons. I roll my eyes and can't believe Reed's sending me another  arrangement.

"These are nice," Jane says and hands me a strawberry. Taking the card,  she reads it and looks at me. "Troy?" She coughs and I hand her a glass  of water so she doesn't die.

"Troy?" I snatch the note from her hand and start smiling like a school girl.



"Wow."

"Uh, yeah," she screeches, and covers her mouth. "Did you know that when  Andrea had to have her appendix out he didn't go to the hospital until  she was released, and then nothing. Zip. Nadda. Not even a flower!"

"So?" I roll my eyes and pretend not to care, even though I'm internally cheering. Beat that, Andrea!

"Mm hm," she nods and continues to eat my fruit.

Damn you, Troy. Damn you.

Reed texts me a few times asking to come over again to hang out. When he  was here last time it just felt weird. I know I should give him another  chance and try again with him.

Me: I'm not in the mood to be honest. I'll text you tomorrow, k?



Reed: What's wrong?



Me: Just tired . . . Talk later.



Reed: Ok. Well I'm here for you.



Feeling bad for ditching Reed after everything he's done for me since  the accident I decide to meet him for a drink and see where we're  headed.

When I get to Dragonfly, I notice Reed at the bar and he smiles when he sees me.

"Hi, sweetpea."

"Hey." I look at the bartender. "Dirty martini, please."

"Sure thing."

I look around the lounge, it's nice in here. Might be my new favorite  place depending on how they make the drink. There are people scattered  all over, and there are three TVs, one in each corner, playing whatever  game is on, and people are enjoying themselves. It's not a dance kind of  bar, but more of the relaxation and mingle type.

"Here's your drink." I turn around and smile at Reed. "How was your day?"

"Good." I talk about my day at the spa and how thoughtful I thought the  gift was. He smiled as I talked and it's nice to have someone listen.  Maybe Jessica and Aubree are right and I have to give this another  chance.

"You sound like you have everything all lined up. I like seeing a strong  woman in charge," he leans in and whispers, "in all things she does."

As sexy as that sounds, it doesn't cause any aches or needs. I don't  want to pounce him in the bar and ravage his body. In all honesty I want  to cringe and say bye.

I sigh. "I'm sorry, this isn't working."

He sighs too. "Oh, thank God. I think the same"

We both burst out laughing and when we finally come to, I see him smiling. "Really?"

He nods and takes my hand. "You remind me of my sister. I call her  sweetpea and she makes the same face as you do." This makes me laugh  again. "I'd love to be your friend, though. I have fun with you."

"I'd like that." I clink my glass with his beer and we take our drinks  to the corner and sit down on the sofa. "I'm so relieved that we both  feel the same way."

"I know. I felt bad. I mean, don't get me wrong, you're so hot, but it wasn't there."

"I totally agree. When you kissed me I thought, wow this kiss is amazing, but there was no spark."

"Agreed. But, damn I sure wish there was something because I think we'd be pretty good together."

Slapping him on the wrist causes Reed to laugh and for some reason it makes me smile too.

After leaving Dragonfly I head home and crash on my bed. Staying out  until two in the morning isn't what I needed to do tonight. Not ready to  go to bed yet, I head back downstairs to grab a bottle of wine. It's  too nice outside to not be relaxing or in the hot tub. Rushing back up  to my room, I change into my bikini, and then head outside with a bottle  of wine in one hand and a glass in the other.   





 

Stepping into the hot tub, I pour myself a very full glass of wine and  indulge in the semi-dry taste of Pinot Grigio. The taste is smooth and  intoxicating. I love drinking wine and savoring each sip. Unlike a shot,  which is fast, wine is delicate and takes time to slowly drink.

My phone buzzes and I smile when I see Jessica's name.

Jessica: Update!



Me: Relax! We're going to be friends and I'm okay with it . . . He's sweet, but not for me.



Jessica: Whoa that's crazy. You're both hot, though.



Me: And?



Jessica: I guess as long as you're okay. Talk to me, what's going on in that head of yours?



Me: I think I want a boyfriend or someone who'll really take my mind off  Troy. That's all I want . . . It's hard to be rejected so many times. A  girl can only take so much, ya know? So maybe I'm doing things  drastically by signing up for an online dating account, but I'm new to  town and I'm single so it makes sense.



Jessica: Just be careful . . . I hear you I really do. I love you, girl keep your head up . . . K?



Me: K. Go to bed, we'll talk tomorrow!



Jessica: Love you X



Me: Love you O



I take comfort knowing I have my best friend to lean on if things truly  hit rock bottom. I'm holding onto that and hope I don't have to endure  anymore pain.

The next week goes by quick and I'm back to work. The cops found the  asshole that hurt me and is being charged along with attempted murder of  his daughter. Special guy. Luckily, I don't have to testify or face  him. He was caught in my car, buying food with my card. Will got me a  new car and all of my credit cards have been reissued to me. I can move  on from that night and focus on work and myself again.

Since that night, Will gave me a spray bottle of mace and I'm working on  boxing moves to protect myself. I'll never allow someone to hurt me  like that and touch me or my property ever again. If I sit around and  dwell about it, asking myself if I did something different, I'll drive  myself crazy and live in fear.

Leaving work a few minutes early, I get in my car and feel my phone buzz. Groaning, I pray it's not work.

Troy: Come over.



Me: Why?



Troy: I'd like to see you. See how you're doing.



Me: I'm fine.



Troy: Come over.



Rolling my eyes, I put my phone away and head to his house. Parking my car, I walk inside to find him outside drinking a beer.

"See? I'm fine." I twirl around until I'm facing him again. Instead of  sitting down with a beer bottle, he's in my face, his hands on my  wrists. His intense eyes are looking into mine, making my knees weak and  body shiver.

Oh my.

"Let's go for a swim. We need to relax."



Troy

Getting outside, she strips out of her clothes and jumps in. Not caring  and not being able to control myself, I jump in following her. She moves  around in my arms and wraps her legs around my waist. Her naked skin  connects with mine. It's soft and smooth, warm to the touch, and driving  my dick crazy. Her tits are rubbing on my chest as we float above the  water. Our faces are close and I can see the tremble on her lips. Warm  sensations run through me and it's something I haven't felt in years.  The feeling of Charlotte comes back.

Her intoxicating eyes linger on me and I can feel her heartbeat against  my chest. This moment with no one else around and her in my arms puts me  back to when we were younger. At this very moment I understand love and  second chances. She's back for a reason and I have to admit how happy  that makes me. Pushing her away to protect myself isn't doing anything  good for me. Letting her in, the way she should be, is what I want. The  situation with Will can be handled.

I hold her close and she hangs onto me. When I reach the shallow end of  the pool, she's still holding on and not letting go. I tighten my hold  around her waist, she is observing everything I'm doing and seems lost  in her mind.

"What's on your mind?"