Page 75 of Changing Rules

Since Audrey’s baby shower, Bella has been quieter, more thoughtful. She never wants to join me outside the house. I had to beg her to go to Ryan’s birthday dinner, guilting her into it by reminding her how important it was for me to have her by my side. She finally gave in but spent all evening with Jess, talking quietly and then clamming up the moment I joined them.

Ugh. It’s stupid.I’mstupid.

She’s nervous about the move, about school, and I can’t blame her. Once she gets settled in New York, I have faith things will even out.

Inside, I follow the sound of voices to the living room. Bella sits on the couch, Ben and Tom in front of her, and Milo beside her with his head in her lap. Nothing unusual, except that she’s in a pair of jeans and a black T-shirt. The outfit isn’t out of the ordinary, but she’s the kind of person who changes into comfortable clothing the second she walks in the door.

“Hey,” I say.

Ben turns my way, his face fixed into a scowl. “Hey, Walker. We were just leaving.”

“Yeah, we were,” Tom mutters, keeping his attention on Bella.

His demeanor is enough to make my palms sweat. Tom is the easygoing one, always friendly, always smiling. Yet now his expression is shuttered. “See you in an hour?”

She nods and stands. “I’ll walk you out.”

I step aside, letting them walk out, my heart taking off at a furious speed. A wave of dread washes over me, like the one that hit me the day I met with management about the Kevin situation.

“What were they doing here?” I ask the moment the door snicks shut.

Bella takes a deep breath, her posture rigid. “We need to talk.”

“Okay.” I stuff my hands in my pockets.

She shuffles back to the living room, and I follow, sitting on the other side of Milo. Instantly, she strokes his fur.

“So?” I’m so fucking nervous, my hands are shaking.

“I’ve had some time to think, and I’ve made a decision.” Her bottom lip trembles, but she keeps her chin lifted. “We need to break up.”

My heart flops out of my chest and rolls off the couch. “What? Why?” It doesn’t make any sense… This isn’t happening. No, no, no. It’s a nightmare, not my reality.

“Sometimes, love isn’t enough,” she whispers, her eyes glassy. “It’s possible for two people to be wrong for each other, regardless of how strong their feelings are. I’m letting you go for your own good, to make your life better.”

“My life is better with you in it.” I reach for her hands, but she pulls them away. “What kind of nonsense are you talking about?”

“Your sister wouldn’t agree. She will never accept me, and she’s done everything in her power to push me out of your life.” Bella’s tears make her sapphire irises shine brighter, remindingme of the deepest parts of a lake. “I’m sure she’ll be incredibly happy to know I left.”

Jaw clenched, I rake a hand through my hair. “Audrey acts like a spoiled brat, I’m aware, but she never wanted you gone.”

“She does, and she doesn’t even try to hide it. Haven’t you noticed how we don’t speak to one another? I tried, I promise, but I can’t take her abuse anymore. I refuse to be polite to someone who can’t bother to apologize for yelling at me and telling me to go fuck myself.” A sad smile crosses her lips. “I overheard her talking to Jess at the baby shower. Audrey hates me with every fiber of her being, and she has actively worked to push me out of your life. She wants you to get back with your ex.”

“I don’t want to be with Stacey!” I snarl, my irritation getting the best of me.

“Are you sure? Because that’s not the impression you give.”

What?

“I showed you her messages, more than once,” I grit out. “When I’m on the phone with her, I stay in the room with you so you can hear the conversation. You know where I am at all times.” I tug at my hair.Fuck. “And I’ve invited you to join us for lunch more than once. I don’t have anything to hide!”

“You’re right. You’ve been transparent. But she sends you messages every day. Do you realize that? In the morning, and then again at night. That’s overstepping. She sends selfies, photos of her new outfits. It’s disrespectful to me, and allowing her to do it—encouraging it, even—is disrespectful too. Since the moment she showed up at that restaurant, you turn to her every chance you get. You text her and hang out with her. You should have set boundaries, and you didn’t.”

“Bella, no… Iloveyou!”

“I’ve regressed. Have you noticed? Little by little, I’ve turned back into that stupid girl I wasbeforeyou. The girl I was when I was with Jake. The one who didn’t ask questions, who let herboyfriend do whatever he wanted, regardless of how much it hurt. I just…I saw how happy the two of you are together, how easy your interactions are. I didn’t want to pull you into my shell since you’ve already done so much for me.”

Though the occasional tear escapes, she’s so calm, as if…as if she’s been planning this conversation for a while. As if there’s nothing I can do to change her mind.

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