Rewriting the Rules Read Online Free

to hold her and comfort her pushes through. Quickly, I bury those feelings and keep a neutral expression on my face.
    Needing to say something, I ask her the first thing that comes to my mind. “Are you hungry?” Her head pops up and she slowly smiles, giving me a nod. Leading her to my kitchen, I pull out a chair for her and take out containers of food. “I have chicken, if that’s okay?”
    “Sure, that’s fine.”
    I smile, nod, and prepare her a plate. Staring at the leftovers from dinner, I assume she’ll like it, not necessarily caring what she likes or doesn’t like. Turning to look at her, I see her eyes on me and the emotions on her face. It’s pulling on my conscience, so I push it away. I’m not letting my guard down when it comes to Charlotte.
    Pulling out my phone, I’m about to text Will until I hear her telling me to stop.
    “Please don’t tell my brother,” she asks me.
    “Why? He needs to know you’re here.”
    “I just,” she pauses, covering her face and running her fingers through her long hair. “I just need a few days to let everything sink in. I know I’m here out of the blue, but I need a few days and I didn’t know where else to go.”
    “You’re fine, Charlotte,” I pause and turn around to face her. “I’m not going to kick you out of my house, but I can’t let you stay here and keep this from Will. He should know. He’s your brother. You can’t come to Rochester without an explanation.”
    “I know,” she sighs. Getting up from the chair, she paces the kitchen. “All I can say is that I’m okay and I’m going to be living here now. A lot has been going on and I’ve missed you guys.”
    “Not good enough. The last I heard was that you landed a good job in Michigan.”
    I study her body language and the way she’s staring at me. She looks surprised I knew that little fact about her. Seeing her here, in my house, in my kitchen, is fucking with my head. This isn’t a random situation. She’s here for a reason and it’s a reason I need to find out.
    The promise we made to each other creeps into my head. I remembered her words and how she felt in my arms.
    “We can’t tell Will.”
    “I know,” I assure her, rubbing her arms and pulling her to my body. “I’m not going to pressure you. I’m so proud of you, sweetheart. You’re going to be a star on the field and kill each class. I’m going to wait for you and the day you’re ready to tell Will about us then that’s the day I’ll kiss you and love you forever.”
    “I’ll be thinking about that kiss until the time’s right. I promise as soon as I’m done with school we’ll tell him together. He’ll have to see how happy you make me.” She lifts her head from my chest and leans to kiss the tip of my nose. “I love you so much.”
    “I love you too.”
    She was my world until it came shattering down and I was left without her. The broken promise fell through my fingers and there was nothing. That day I vowed never to allow love to be near me. I was going to be happier on my own without her. I knew it was wrong. She was my best friend’s baby sister. I teased her when she was younger, made her cry, and then fell in love. Our friendship took its own course and I never saw it coming-the day we admitted our feelings.
    Will had no idea and to this day still doesn’t know the feelings I hold for her. Our relationship ended before it began. It had to be that way, even if she took a piece of my heart with her, I had to forget her and move on.
    “Once upon a time you used to care and take care of me. Remember?”
    “Once upon a time I would have done anything for you. Things change, Charlotte.”
    “I guess so.” She crosses her arms over her chest and her breasts slightly rise, the swells catching my attention.
    “So how did you know where to find me?”
    “Will sent me your address one Christmas so I could send you a card.”
    “I never got a card from you.”
    “I know,” she responds, still