Rewriting the Rules Read Online Free Page B

decision. Will and Charlotte were left with enough money to be comfortable for nearly the rest of their lives. With the money, Will took care of the everyday bills, bought Charlotte a reliable car, and held down a job working for my dad with a modified schedule. He worked from home most of the time and went into the office when he didn’t have class or a game. He was eighteen and Charlotte was sixteen, both lost and afraid. A knee injury my senior year of high school prevented me from playing soccer again. While Will worked or had soccer, I stayed with Charlotte and made sure she was okay. I drove her to practice and went to her soccer games. I became her best friend and was there whenever she needed me. My love for her grew and she never knew it. I respected my best friend and we lived by the bro code. She was untouchable and too good for me . . . for any of us. Charlotte was supposed to follow her dreams, play soccer in college, and major in business. She was going to make something of herself, and no one was going to hold her back. Not even me.
    Two years of helping her. Two years of realizing how much she meant to me. Nothing ever happened between us. Lines were never crossed, and I never pushed her for more. There was harmless flirting, dinner and movie dates. She was happy. She was healing.
    Towards the end of her senior year, she announced her decision to attend U of M with us. That was the day I told her how I felt and held her in my arms. She loved me the same way I loved her. We made a promise to tell Will on the day of her graduation from U of M so she could focus on school and soccer. No matter what, I was there for her and never left her side.
    Until the day she met Shawn.
    I didn’t chase her. Not only did I know she deserved better, she’s also my best friend’s little sister. He’d murder me on the spot without thinking if he knew the thoughts I was having about his sister. So I let it go. I let her go.
    And that’s when the walls around my heart became so high no one would be able to reach me. Women were toys to me and meant for my pleasure. It came to a point I settled with Andrea and became too comfortable. The other women before broke it off when they realized I wouldn’t ask them to move in or put a ring on their finger. Then Andrea came along and understood what I wanted and what I would offer. Until she wanted more.
    The fact she’s here, and I have no idea why, doesn’t sit well with me. A million questions are going through my head and I want to ask her. I know she won’t tell me until she’s ready, so maybe I shouldn’t help her. Years of silence and here she is in front of me as if nothing happened or nothing is wrong. I need distance from her to figure out my head. I don’t want to be in my own home while she’s here.
    When I look at her I see the woman she’s grown up to be, but I still see the teenager I fell in love with. She deserves my help and I want to be there for her. I don’t want to get to know the woman she’s become. Maybe when Will finds out that she’s here, I’ll leave Rochester for a little while. Chicago seems to be a fitting place or even Miami. Wherever Charlotte is, I’ll have to be away from.
    Then again, life doesn’t play fair and I’m the one holding the losing hand.
    My eyes trail down her body. Her dress is slightly lifted, hitting her mid thighs and her creamy skin is screaming for my tongue.
    “I need your help, Troy,” she whispers so softly I had to take a minute to adjust my focus. “I don’t know where else to go.”
    “You have Will.” My tone is harsh and short. I pick up my wine glass, keeping my eyes on her, and take a drink. Red wine is bitter and classic like a woman. It needs to be consumed slowly and savored. A true wine drinker will appreciate the taste and aroma unlike someone who doesn’t understand a good, strong, glass of wine. It’s unlike beer or liquor. With wine, the aromas of the grapes and ingredients are being